Construction: Sustainability and Building Design

As the awareness creeping in about how we damage the Earth by irresponsible and unsustainable practices building designs too are changing.  The impact has come about from considerable environmental damage and depletion of natural resources.

The building construction cannot take place in isolation are large number of factors have to be taken into consideration.  This makes use of natural elements to a bare minimum level, finding eco-friendly alternatives and using them wisely. This also means efficiency in construction.

A careful planning and team efforts are required since the outcomes of decision implement design should succeed in the right manner.  Hence the right planning is crucial this also takes into the scope maintenance and future renovations.       

During the construction process, on site pollution and effluents have to be kept in check. Materials like cold formed steel are environmental friendly. Apart from light weight the steel is longer lasting and fire resistant. The sections are built in a control manner without much wastage. The efficiency of construction increases by using prefabricated elements. In this type of building process time and energy are saved.  Moreover CFS is a recyclable material that helps in reduction of demand for virgin materials.  

Saving energy means less use of electricity and fossil fuel consumption. The situation should deliver maximum daylight in order to save on generated energy. The implementation of solar energy generation technology results in green building construction.

For foundations concrete has become a preferred green material. The VOC emission is low, besides the material management is less wasteful. A solid insulated foundation is provided by concrete mixture to the green building. Additions of residues like fly ash and left over coal residue makes it more environmentally friendly. Concrete blocks can be prefabricated in the factory leading to efficiency in manufacture and better quality control. These are then transported to the site of construction and installed.           

Steel framing is becoming much used framing material due to its many benefits. Cole formed steel tops the list as it is more advantageous and eco friendly. This type of material offers faster installation in case of walls, floor and ceiling.
In colder environs, creating effective heat barriers results in saving on energy this means that a well insulated home will consume less energy in temperature control.   

The right approach to building construction has become the order of the day. With the threat of global warming increasing say by day it has become imperative to prevent green house gases like co2 to reach the atmosphere.