GREEN CONSTRUCTION

What is Green Construction?

Green construction looks beyond the readily

apparent aspects of the office or building to
create a space that addresses the comfort,
health and broader environmental impacts of
the construction/remodeling process.

Why do Green Construction?

Buildings, infrastructure and the environment
are inextricably linked. Energy, materials, water
and land are all consumed in the construction
Buildings have extensive direct and indirect and operation of buildings and infrastructure.
impacts on the environment. During their Green construction aims to create the balance
construction, occupancy, renovation, between what we seek to build and what our
repurposing, and demolition, buildings use environment can ultimately support.
energy, water, and raw materials, generate
Construction of green buildings/spaces is good
waste, and emit potentially harmful
for increasing productivity and improving
atmospheric emissions. These facts have
ultimate health of people. In some cases it is
prompted the creation of green building
more cost effective, saving money on utility bills
standards, certifications, and rating systems
and operating costs. Beyond the financial
aimed at mitigating the impact of buildings on
rewards, green construction helps the larger
the natural environment
environment. Green building/spaces consume
through sustainable design and lower carbon
less energy and natural resources and reduce
footprint.
the waste and pollution we create.

A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design,

construction or operation, reduces or
eliminates negative impacts, and can create
positive impacts on our climate and natural
environment.
 variety of characteristics such as distinctive
climatic conditions, unique cultures and
Features of a Green Building traditions, diverse building types and ages, or
wide-ranging environmental, economic and
There are a number of features which can make social priorities – all of which shape their
a building ‘green’. These include:  approach to green building.
 Efficient use of energy, water and other
resources

 Use of renewable energy, such as solar

energy

 Pollution and waste reduction

measures, and the enabling of re-use
and recycling

 Good indoor environmental air quality

 Use of materials that are non-toxic,

ethical and sustainable

 Consideration of the environment in

design, construction and operation
Top sustainable technologies in
green construction
 Consideration of the quality of life of
occupants in design, construction and The top sustainable construction technologies
operation used today in green construction are:

 A design that enables adaptation to a 1. Solar power

changing environment.
In green construction, there is active solar
power which uses functional solar systems that
absorb the sun’s radiation to cater for heating
and electricity provision hence reducing the
need for electricity or gas; and there is Passive
solar power uses the sun’s rays to warm homes
through the strategic placement of windows
and the use of heat-absorbing surfaces hence
reducing the need for warming the house
Any building can be a green building, whether during cold periods such as winter.
it’s a home, an office, a school, a hospital, a
community center, or any other type of 2. Biodegradable materials
structure, provided it includes features listed The use of biodegradable materials is an eco-
above. friendly means of making construction
However, it is worth noting that not all green sustainable. Most traditional construction
buildings are – and need to be - the methods lead to the accumulation of waste
same. Different countries and regions have a products and toxic chemicals, the majority of
which take hundreds of years to degrade. 8. Water efficiency technologies
Biodegradable materials such as organic paints,
The technologies encompass re-use and
therefore, aid to limit the negative impacts on
application of efficient water supply systems.
the environment as they easily breakdown
Examples include the use of dual plumbing, grey
without the release of toxins. The use of
water re-use, rainwater harvesting and water
biodegradable materials for building
conservation fixtures. 
foundation, walls and insulators are also part of
sustainable construction technologies. 9. Sustainable indoor environment
technologies
3. Green insulation
Keeping in mind the health and safety of the
The use of green insulation eliminates the need
building occupants the materials used have to
for high-end finishes made from non-renewable
ensure green safety standards which include
materials. Green insulation makes use of old
hazardous free elements, non-toxic materials,
and used materials such as denim and
low volatile emissions, and moisture resistance.
newspaper.
10. Self-powered buildings
4. The use of smart appliances
Self-powered buildings are built such that they
Sustainable construction technologies
are able to generate sufficient power to support
emphasize the installation of energy saving and
their own energy needs and even direct surplus
self-sufficient appliances.
energy back into the power grid. In most cases,
5. Cool roofs wind power technology is used and it is highly
common in skyscrapers whereby wind turbines
Cool roofs aim at reflecting heat and sunlight
are mounted at the rooftops. The constant and
away. It aids in keeping homes and buildings at
heavy air currents at higher altitudes propel the
the standard room temperatures by lowering
turbine blades which generates the power
heat absorption and thermal emittance. Cool
requirements for the building.
roofs can reduce temperatures by more the 50
degree Celsius during summer. 11. Rammed Earth Brick:

6. Sustainable resource sourcing Rammed earth brick is an ancient construction

technology which uses sustainably sourced raw
Sustainable resource sourcing ensures the use
materials. Due to technological advancements,
of construction materials designed and created
the process of building a rammed-earth
from recycled products and have to be
structure has been made easier but it still
environmentally friendly.
follows the ancient preparation process.
7. Electro chromic Smart Glass

The electronic smart glass uses tiny electric

Great design and construction shouldn’t come
signals to slightly charge the windows to change
at an environmental cost, but rather work in a
the amount of solar radiation it reflects. It is
sustainable relationship with the environment
incorporated into the buildings control system,
and make minimal impact.
allowing users to choose the amount of solar
radiation to block. With this technology, homes
and commercial buildings can save a lot on
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning costs.