Green construction has become the buzzword in the construction industry as a way to improve sustainability. But what exactly does it mean? How can you tell if your current construction methods are green? And what can it do for the health of your crew and your building?
To answer these questions, we first need to look at what green construction is. In its most broad sense, green construction covers any method of construction that uses materials and techniques that minimize the use of materials that contribute to environmental damage. A key goal of such construction is to have a minimal effect on the environment during the production of the building and throughout its life cycle. Green construction also includes using recycled materials, minimizing the waste produced during construction and having as many environmental improvements as possible during the life-cycle of the modular construction.
So, what exactly constitutes "green construction"? The critical criteria include:
Reducing the negative environmental impacts of the building.
Employing practices that are cost-effective and sustainable.
Providing an environment that is as bleak to ecological degradation as possible.
Many different approaches can be taken to achieve these goals. Some of the most significant is building from recycled or reclaimed materials, including discarded office furniture and shipped containers, brownfield development in areas unsuitable for housing development, and construction with sustainable materials, such as reclaimed wood or concrete slabs from demolished buildings. In addition, some builders opt to implement passive solar heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient windows and lighting, recycled or recyclable building materials, and the incorporation of passive heating and cooling systems.
What exactly is meant by "prefabricated", and how can it differ from green construction? The distinction is pretty simple. Green construction techniques allow for the construction of buildings from pre-designed, factory-manufactured components that are assembled on-site rather than disassembled after being transported to the site. In most cases, the parts are made so that they can be reused over time, rather than having to be thrown out. For example, in the manufacture of solar panels, photovoltaic cells are assembled on-site, then filled and sealed for storage.
How can green construction impact my state of affairs today? On a national level, the implementation of green construction techniques can significantly reduce the amount of material and energy required for construction projects. In addition, it can improve the health of the public through reduced pollution, water consumption, and increased energy efficiency. As regulations related to construction are becoming more prevalent throughout the construction industry, green construction will continue to gain popularity as developers look to minimize their ecological footprint. This trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
In addition to the opportunities currently found in the construction industry, there is also the potential for prefabrication in the environmental design field. New Green Construction developments often require that certain elements of the project be developed in the house before they can be put together. If the developers do not have access to special equipment or have the expertise to integrate certain technologies or practices, they would be forced to develop these elements independently. This often results in an inflated cost structure for the overall project since certain elements of the construction have to be outsourced to create a viable solution to the particular design issue at hand. Prefabrication allows for the development of these different components in house, improving the efficiency with which they are put together, and reducing waste.
What can I do to make my building more environmentally friendly? One way you can help develop green construction techniques at your facility is to implement a program that encourages the use of recycled materials throughout the construction process. This may include the reuses of existing building components or the procurement of manufactured components to better specifications than the ones used during the initial design phase.
As you can see, green construction and LEED certification are just two aspects of sustainable construction that can help your facility become more energy-efficient and greener. While the two areas are certainly not mutually exclusive, using them together will greatly improve the sustainability of your building as well as your efforts to be "green." Even if you do not choose to employ green building techniques during your operations, you should strongly consider LEED-certified construction projects in your area. Not only is this type of certification more common and more accepted than it was in the past, but the recognition of the various benefits that it provides to those who utilize it has helped to raise awareness among other business owners as well. By incorporating these types of strategies into your operations, you will be able to take part in making your facility more environmentally friendly while improving your company's bottom line.
