Construction consumes a lot of energy and resources, contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions and waste. As cities expand and climate change worsens, the industry must find ways to stay productive while reducing its carbon footprint.
Understanding Sustainable Construction
Sustainable construction covers principles and practices that minimize the negative environmental impact of designing, building and maintaining structures and that support the health of people and ecosystems. Sustainable construction also considers the structure’s entire life cycle. How do people use and maintain it? What happens when it is no longer usable?
With climate change becoming a global concern, many construction teams are prioritizing sustainability. Eighty-eight percent of clients and 70% of consultants measure and report sustainability metrics for their projects.
Why the Building Life Cycle Approach Matters
Looking at construction as part of an entire life cycle is crucial for creating sustainable, long-lasting structures that work with — rather than harm — the environment.
Considering the entire life cycle of a building helps reduce the harmful environmental effects of construction. From site selection and design to demolition, each stage of the building’s life impacts ecosystems through carbon emissions and waste production. A life cycle approach ensures that teams make decisions to preserve natural resources, protect wildlife and lower their carbon footprint.
Buildings also consume significant amounts of materials, water and energy throughout their life cycle. Considering this, construction teams can optimize resource allocation to reduce costs and consumption during construction and operation.
1. Site Selection and Land Use
Many of the best examples of sustainable construction start with proper site selection. Selecting the right construction site entails picking an area where there will be minimal ecological impact, meaning adequate soil quality preservation and little to no destruction of natural habitats.
2. Design and Planning
Early design decisions can influence the environmental impact and sustainability of the finished building. For example, the building’s orientation and layout can affect energy efficiency, climate adaptability and occupants’ comfort.
3. Sustainable Building Materials
Construction teams should prioritize sourcing recycled or long-lasting materials for improved sustainability and to reduce replacement frequency. For example, wood shingles can be a sustainable option for roofing since they can last 30-50 years with proper maintenance, while metal roofing is recyclable at the end of its lifespan.
Finding local suppliers and durable options is ideal, as it will minimize transportation-related costs and long-term emissions.
4. Energy Efficiency
A high-performance building envelope and an efficient HVAC system can help maintain optimal indoor conditions, minimizing the need for excess energy consumption for heating and cooling. LED light bulbs and smart controls can also help lower utility costs and reduce carbon footprints.
5. Renewable Energy Integration
Incorporating renewable energy sources, like solar and wind systems, helps buildings generate and consume clean energy. These efforts can also help achieve net zero and lower energy bills.
6. Water Conservation and Management
Water scarcity is a growing global concern, and construction projects must take this into account. Sustainable buildings can feature low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting systems to minimize consumption and reliance on municipal supplies. Greywater reuse is also a good addition to further reduce demand.
7. Waste Reduction and Management
Buildings generate a lot of garbage, from construction to the end of their life. Prioritizing waste segregation and using recycled or reused materials and tools helps projects minimize construction waste. Strategies like modular construction and designing for deconstruction can further reduce a building’s environmental footprint.
8. Indoor Environmental Quality
Sustainable construction must also prioritize the well-being of future occupants. Appropriate ventilation, non-toxic construction materials, good air circulation and access to adequate natural light create a healthy and comfortable environment. These elements also improve energy efficiency, helping minimize emissions.
9. Construction Process Optimization
Planning and strategy are crucial for reducing construction emissions. Streamlining operations through lean construction, effective project management and prefabrication can ensure efficient resource use — prefabricated structures produce 90% less plastic and cardboard waste. These practices also prevent delays and errors, minimizing costly repairs and replacements.
10. Maintenance and Operations
A building’s sustainability extends beyond its completion. Regular inspections and repairs of energy systems, water facilities and structural components ensure long-term efficiency and cost savings.
11. Adaptability and Resilience
Sustainable construction entails designing and building with the future in mind. Flexible layouts allow occupants to easily reconfigure internal arrangements, reducing the need for costly renovations. Proper site selection, smart design and sustainable materials can help buildings stay resilient against climate-related risks like flooding, extreme heat and strong winds.
12. End-of-Life and Circularity
When a building reaches the end of its useful life, sustainable construction looks at reusing and recycling materials instead of discarding them. Designing for deconstruction allows valuable materials like steel and various fixtures to reenter the supply chain, preventing them from entering landfills and reducing the demand for new resources. These circular principles could lessen 13% of carbon emissions from built environments.
Building for the Future
Real sustainable construction goes beyond the building phase. Integrating sustainability and resource efficiency into every stage of the life cycle helps projects achieve lower emissions and greater efficiency, creating healthier spaces for people to live and work.
