GREEN BUILDING

Green building is also known as green construction or sustainable building. It is referred to both the structure and the using of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient through out a building's life cycle right from its siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition.

Green building material refers to materials which are used to construct eco friendly, energy saving and healthy to live in buildings. Green or sustainable building material helps building have good air quality, they make environment healthier to live, study, work and comfortable.

‘Sustainable’ ‘recycled’ ‘non-toxic’ ‘locally sourced’ ‘renewable’ and ‘organic are few example of  sustainable or green building material.

WHY GREEN OR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIAL IS IMPORTANT?

In today’s life when there is so much usage of energy, natural resources. We are at a stage where it is getting depleted and have to think about our future generation. If not, then our future generation may not have a healthy and eco friendly life. In order to make our life and future generations lives healthy, energy saving and eco friendly  green or sustainable building is a perfect solution as it is truly effective. For the construction of the green building, green or sustainable materials are used such as recycled, non toxic, renewable, locally sourced and organic material.

HOW CAN WE MAKE A BUILDING GREEN OR SUSTAINABLE?

Following materials can be used to make a building green or sustainable:

Energy efficiency:

• Develop strategies to provide natural lighting from sunlight.

• Use a proper sized and energy efficient heat cooling system.

• Consider alternative energy sources such as solar energy.

Water Efficiency:

• Harvesting rain water.

• Dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing.

• Minimize waste water by using ultra low-flush toilets.

• Use water conservation fixtures in bathroom and kitchen.

Air quality efficiency:

• By using low or non-toxic construction material.

• Use materials that require only simple, non-toxic methods of cleaning.

Resource efficiency:

• Using materials which are recyclable and renewable.
• Using locally available materials.
• Materials which are organic.

WHY GREEN BUILDING MATERIAL?

Buildings are responsible for all greenhouse gas emissions,  electricity use, tons of solid waste stream, and potable water consumption. The green building movement is an attempt to minimize and eliminate negative impacts and maximize environmental, economic and community in other words human benefits.

Benefits of green buildings:

Environmental Benefits:

• Protect existing natural spaces:

Green buildings tend not to be constructed on environmentally sensitive lands. If they are constructed on or near green spaces, measures are taken that the building doesn’t affect or causes any type of impact on the environment.

• Enhance existing ecology:

Green buildings often are constructed on previously developed property, with measures taken to restore plant life to building sites by decreasing the site area used for parking, or through the use of green roofs, which provide a more ecologically friendly alternative to conventional roofing systems, by conserving water, by reducing electricity consumption and by a lot of other things which makes building and its surrounding a “green” place.

• Reduce water use:

Water is a very important part for a green building. In green building usage of water is reduced and the used water can be recycled for toilets and for irrigation purpose by waste water treatment. By reducing water use, green buildings minimize the detrimental effects of water use and its effects on local ecologies, such as aquatic life.

• Reduce material use and use low-impact materials:

All materials carry environmental effects in them, in that there are environmental and ecological consequences, as a result of their production and use through their life cycle. Green building is about using the materials which has lower harmful effect to environment. Green buildings also typically utilize “green” material which can be recycled and do not affect the environment around.

• Reduce emissions to air:

Green buildings effectively reduce air pollution through reduced energy use, the use of refrigerants, the use of materials with low off-gassing. The reduction in use of fossil fuels at the building site result in lower air pollution contributions at the site, while reduction in electricity use results in lower air pollution associated with power plants. 

Economic Benefits:

• Reduced Operating Costs:

Savings in energy costs of 20-50% are common through total planning, site orientation, energy-saving technologies, on-site renewable energy-producing technologies, light-reflective materials, natural daylight and ventilation, and downsized HVAC and other equipment.

• Improved Employee Productivity and Satisfaction:

Improved employee productivity and satisfaction can be achieved by better occupant comfort, improved indoor air quality, natural light, and better acoustics. A variety of studies show a positive relationship between green building elements and increased worker productivity. Since a majority of the annual employee and workplace costs is for salaries, increasing worker productivity by a very small percentage or reducing absenteeism by a day or two per year, or causing people to work a few additional minutes per day, the economic productivity benefits will make the economic benefits associated with energy savings or reduced water use.