06-09-2017, 02:55 PM
Green construction (also known as green building or sustainable construction) refers to both a structure and the application of environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes throughout the life cycle of a building: from planning to design, construction, and demolition. This requires close cooperation between the contractor, the architects, the engineers and the customer at all stages of the project. The Green Building practice extends and complements the classic building design concerns of economy, utility, durability and comfort.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a set of qualification systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings that was developed by the US Green Building Council. Another system of certificates confirming the sustainability of the buildings is the British BREEAM (Building Research Establishment) for buildings and large-scale developments. The Green Building Council is currently conducting research on the effects of green buildings on the health and productivity of their users and is working with the World Bank to promote Green Buildings in Emerging Markets through the EDGE Excellence in Design and Efficiency.
Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common goal of green buildings is to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment:
• Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
• Protect occupant health and improve employee productivity
• Waste reduction, pollution and environmental degradation
A similar concept is natural construction, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design and green architecture. Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Although some green building programs do not address the issue of rehabilitation of existing housing, others do so, especially through public schemes for energy efficient renovation. Ecological construction principles can be easily applied to retrofit work as well as to new construction.
A 2009 report from the US General Services Administration found 12 sustainable design buildings that cost less and have excellent energy efficiency. In addition, the occupants were generally more satisfied with the building than the typical commercial buildings. These are eco-friendly buildings.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a set of qualification systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings that was developed by the US Green Building Council. Another system of certificates confirming the sustainability of the buildings is the British BREEAM (Building Research Establishment) for buildings and large-scale developments. The Green Building Council is currently conducting research on the effects of green buildings on the health and productivity of their users and is working with the World Bank to promote Green Buildings in Emerging Markets through the EDGE Excellence in Design and Efficiency.
Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common goal of green buildings is to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment:
• Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
• Protect occupant health and improve employee productivity
• Waste reduction, pollution and environmental degradation
A similar concept is natural construction, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design and green architecture. Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Although some green building programs do not address the issue of rehabilitation of existing housing, others do so, especially through public schemes for energy efficient renovation. Ecological construction principles can be easily applied to retrofit work as well as to new construction.
A 2009 report from the US General Services Administration found 12 sustainable design buildings that cost less and have excellent energy efficiency. In addition, the occupants were generally more satisfied with the building than the typical commercial buildings. These are eco-friendly buildings.