Sustainable Buildings

Sustainable buildings are designed to meet three sustainability pillars: people, profit and planet. This approach to construction focuses on reducing the building’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from site selection to operation to demolition. Some of the most common green features include:

The energy used to heat and cool a building is a major concern for sustainability. Green features that help reduce this include: insulation, low-e windows, light bulbs and appliances with efficient heating and cooling technologies. Onsite generation of renewable energy like solar, wind and hydro power is also a popular way to lower a building’s energy consumption.

The amount of energy needed to bring water from the tap to a home or office can be staggering. The process requires pumping, transportation and the use of potentially toxic chemicals to make water potable. Green Sustainable buildings often utilize water-efficient systems and materials to minimize this impact, including low-flow toilets, greywater systems and xeriscaping (landscaping that requires minimal or no irrigation).

Key Features of Sustainable Buildings

Sustainable design includes efficient ventilation techniques that keep the building’s air clean without wasting energy. This can be accomplished through natural, high-efficiency ventilation and utilizing air-tight materials that don’t let outside pollutants into the building. In addition, the use of low-VOC paints and materials that limit toxins in the building’s air are popular choices among green builders.

The most sustainable homes and offices are those that have been built with a focus on recycled materials. While this may require a slightly higher upfront investment, it can be less costly over the long term. For example, the recycled wood used to build a deck or fence can be turned into flooring in a new home.

A sustainable building must strive to eliminate all unnecessary waste and recycling programs are a key component of this approach. This is achieved through the use of reclaimed and recycled materials, as well as a focus on environmentally friendly trash disposal.

A large part of a building’s overall environmental footprint is due to the waste it generates during its construction, occupancy and demolition. A sustainable building should try to generate as much energy as it uses through onsite energy production, such as solar panels or a geothermal system.

This can be a huge savings for the building owner and can also reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, which are a source of pollution. A sustainable building should also aim to minimize its impact on the surrounding environment, by reducing the amount of land that is covered and by ensuring that no harm is done to wildlife or the local ecosystems. This is often accomplished through conservation measures like site selection, preserving existing trees and avoiding soil erosion.