7 Reasons Sustainable Building Designs Are Important
With growing concerns over climate change and the finite nature of these resources, there is increasing pressure on construction firms to reduce their environmental impact. Buildings are one of the easiest ways to address climate change and the least costly way to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the reasons you will discover in this blog are;
- Environmental conservation
- Energy Efficiency
- Reduced Operating costs
- Community Benefit
- Health and well-being
- Reduced Operating costs
- Innovation and Technology
WHAT MAKES A BUILDING DESIGN SUSTAINABLE?
The most effective sustainable designs are those that have minimum harmful impacts on the surrounding environments, promote health and productivity, when these buildings are beautiful and inspirational.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Green building is also known as a sustainable or high performance building.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DESIGN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING?
Clearly, informed choices at every stage of a new build project have an environmental impact. In fact, the construction industry accounts for an incredible 36% of worldwide energy usage, and 40% of CO2 emissions.
The fabrication and shipping of materials can have a great impact on carbon emissions. Mining for raw materials can result in the pollution of water courses. The manufacture of cement currently resulted in global annual emissions of 2.8bn tonnes of CO2, should current rates of urbanization continue this could rise to over 4bn tonnes every year.
Sustainable building designs offer a range of benefits that address environmental, economic, and social concerns. Here are some key reasons why you might consider adopting sustainable building practices:
1. Environmental conservation: Sustainable buildings minimize negative impacts on the environment. They use resources more efficiently, reduce waste, and contribute to the conservation of natural resources like water, energy, and raw materials.
2. Energy Efficiency: Sustainable designs prioritize energy-efficient features such as better insulation, energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and renewable energy sources like solar panels. This reduces energy consumption and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Reduced Operating costs: While sustainable building designs might involve higher upfront costs, they often result in significant long-term savings due to reduced energy and water consumption, lower maintenance expenses, and increased durability of materials.
4. Community Benefit: Sustainable buildings can positively impact the community by reducing the strain on local resources, improving air quality, and promoting a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
5. Health and well-being: Sustainable buildings are designed with occupant well-being in mind. Features like natural lighting, proper acoustics, and access to outdoor spaces can contribute to improved mental and physical health. Sustainable buildings often incorporate better ventilation and air filtration systems, which lead to healthier indoor air quality by reducing the presence of allergens, pollutants, and contaminants.
6. Regulatory Compliance: Many regions have building codes and regulations that require adherence to certain sustainability standards. Sustainable building designs help ensure compliance with these requirements.
7. Innovation and Technology: Embracing sustainable designs encourages the use of innovative technologies and materials that can push the boundaries of construction and design practices.
Overall sustainable building designs offer a pathway toward a more environmentally responsible and resource-efficient future, benefiting not only the occupants and owners of the buildings but also the larger community and the planet as a whole.
Need a company you can trust to deliver sustainability in your design, feel free to contact info@spservicesltd.com or fill the contact us page on the website.