Ecological Buildings

Green construction is the buildings of the future. To fight against environmental pollution, people have to do it from several perspectives.

In this case, I bring information about how to improve buildings and constructions. The topic is based primarily on environmentally responsible processes and efficiency about resources throughout the life cycle from planning to demolition.

A sustainable design and green architecture dominate before construction begins, which means that it seeks to save materials, energy, water, and good waste management, among other things. The materials used can be garbage, plant derivatives, algae, and more.

Currently, many strategies are used, such as covering the external surface of the building with plants, covering it with solar panels, using non-polluting building materials, among others. It should remark that all materials have drawbacks that will be new solutions when optimized.

Image 1: New green home designs integrate style with sustainability.

The building may be a part intended as a sustainable building; only some construction sites are suitable to help the planet. In some cases, the entire building has a design to help the Earth; in terms of pollution.

Green buildings have an environmentally friendly design, disposable materials. The building designs include lots of natural light, a better ventilation system, and water availability. Several research studies have shown that natural light, such as sustainable construction can get, reduces stress levels and increases productivity in 15% of people.

Buildings account for 28% of global pollutant emissions. The International Energy Agency published a publication that estimated that existing buildings are responsible for more than 40% of the total primary energy consumption and 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions, in addition to large amounts of indoor pollutants al Exterior.

The impacts that will solve the environmental pollution with sustainable construction include incorporate energy, global warming potential, resource use, air pollution, water pollution, and waste. The global green building materials market reached a value of $ 299 billion in 2020.

How it helps

The U.S. Green Building Council has established a certificate; its name is LEED. The certificate is a set of classification systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings. It is an entity in charge of verifying the conditions of sustainable buildings to assign a grade according to their requirements.

Other materials have been used and are considering global use, such as a hemp wall. It is approximately 30% cheaper per square meter than that built with traditional construction materials. The life cycle is not as harmful as it is a product from a plant; compacted fibers could solve problems for more stability.

There is growing adoption of green buildings in different countries; due to the growing awareness about the health and environmental dangers of environmental pollution, which has resulted in the encouragement of market growth globally. Also,  various governments offer favorable policies and initiatives, particularly in developed nations, to incentivize green building.

Image 2: DNA-based material, new and intelligent with possible uses for construction.

This new wave has led to the development of many new biocompatible materials; for example (see image 2), scientists created a material capable of carrying out a metabolism programmed by scientists. These are surprising implications because this material could have a design to metabolize and degrade pollutant compounds in the air, cleaning the air, without requiring any effort on the part of the population, but only with technological and innovative methods.

According to Dan Luo, professor of biological and environmental engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, researcher of the new material with metabolism, "We are presenting a completely new and realistic material concept powered by its artificial metabolism. We are not making something that is alive. But we are creating materials that are much more realistic than ever", referring to the fact that this material opens many doors and new perspectives for implementation in constructions, much more intelligent and interactive.

The United Nations recently declared that green buildings are the key to achieving the net-zero carbon goal, so they project towards this achievement by 2050.

The use of sunlight through solar equipment, mirrors, active/passive and photovoltaic equipment, and the use of plants and trees through green roofs, rain gardens, and reduction of rainwater runoff; are forms of construction with low impact on the environment.

Looking ahead, they are materials that require maintenance different from the traditional one; however, the global market for ecological building materials would grow by 9% every year during 2021-2026, which means that there are good initiatives and prospects for this field in the future.

The experience with this type of construction and materials indicates that it works; it is a fact and a reality in the present. Additionally, search to ensure historical preservation and access to public infrastructure systems. As well; as the complete building life cycle and its materials disposal.

Image 3: Plants on the surface of buildings can generate pests and insects.

At the same time, the solar absorption cells advance every day. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) achieved 47.1% efficiency with its six-junction glass cell, much better than silicone. It seeks to cover buildings with these panels to obtain its energy during the day; however, the heat that can get into within the building is a fact that people have to consider.

The materials have to have a care handle; for example, in Asia, large buildings covered with plants have been built, this has attracted pests such as insects and mosquitoes. Another type of plant needs to replace the current one, a plant that does not attract this type of insect; due is a public health problem. At the same time, genetically modified plants could have used to repel insects, including to improve their effectiveness in helping the planet.

Health and wellness tools are changing today's space and the world. The buildings offer new sensory experiences that reflect an increase in the bond between humans and nature to ensure their well-being.

References 

• MRSC. Green Communities and Building Design. Washington. April 02, 2021. Link https://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Planning/Development-Types-and-Land-Uses/Green-Communities-and-Building-Design.aspx

• DW. Chermaine Lee (Hong Kong ). Green construction: Creating emissions-free building sites.  Date 20.04.2021. Link https://www.dw.com/en/green-construction-creating-emissions-free-building-sites/a-57202031.

• Loredana Pianta. PhysOrg. Bioconstruction: Beyond hempcrete. 16 January 2019. Link https://phys.org/pdf466847674.pdf.

• ZME Science.  Mihai Andrei. Scientists create artificial materials capable of metabolism, self-assembly, movement, and organization — key traits of life.  April 17, 2019. Link https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/new-artificial-life-dna-17042019/.

• Forbes. Laurie Winkless. Solar City? Turning Buildings Into Power Plants. Apr 20, 2021,07:33pm EDT. Link https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewinkless/2021/04/20/solar-city-turning-buildings-into-power-plants/?sh=3515c7782d32.

• Worldwide Green Building Materials Industry to 2026 - Players Include Alumasc, Bauder, and Binderholz Among Others – Research And Market. April 21, 2021 09:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time. Link https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210421005646/en/Worldwide-Green-Building-Materials-Industry-to-2026---Players-Include-Alumasc-Bauder-and-Binderholz-Among-Others---ResearchAndMarkets.com

• GRESB. Longevity. The Indoor Generation: Creating Green Buildings for our Health & Wellbeing. March 22, 2021. Link https://gresb.com/the-indoor-generation-the-need-of-green-buildings-for-our-health-and-well-being/.