Sustainable Development
Definition
Sustainable Construction (also known as green construction or
sustainable building) refers to a structure, the construction process and
occupancy processes that are environmentally responsible and resource
efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from location to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
What is Sustainable
Construction?
Sustainable Construction is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
Sustainable construction should also:
• Enhance living, working and leisure environments for
individuals and communities.
• Consume minimum energy over its life cycle
• Generate minimum waste over its life cycle
• Integrate with the natural environment
• Use renewable resources where possible
Sustainable Construction
should NOT
Sustainable construction should NOT:
• Cause permanent damage to the natural environment or
consume a large amount of resources during
construction, use or demolition.
• Cause unnecessary waste of energy, water or materials
due to short life, poor design, inefficiency or low
standard construction techniques.
Sustainable Construction
should NOT
Sustainable construction should NOT:
• Create dependence on high impact transport systems
with their associated pollution.
• Use materials from threatened species/environments.
Environmental Considerations
Water Conservation
The following table shows the average household water usage in
Ireland:
Flushing the toilet
9.5 Litres
Taking a bath
80 Litres
Taking a shower
5 Litres/min
Using a washing machine
80 Litres
Watering the garden
540 Litres/hour
Drinking water
10 Litres/day
Environmental Considerations
There are many ways to conserve water in the home.
• Fit low flow taps and showerheads
• Install Low flush toilets (3.5 to 6 Litres/flush)
• Buy water efficient washing machines (faster spinning rate)
• Think about shorter lengths of piping to hot water taps (reducing the amount
of cold water run to waste)
• Permeable landscaping materials absorb and retain rainwater, reducing
watering.
• Compost toilets use no flush water and the end product can be used as a
fertiliser.
• Natural reed beds are an alternative to conventional sewage systems. Large
area of land required.
Definition
Greywater reuse (greywater is wastewater from wash basins, showers,
washing machines) for watering the garden or washing the car.
Rain Water Collection Rainwater can be used for gardening and toilet
flushing.
Install rainwater collection systems such as water butts for rainwater storage.
Economic Benefits of
Sustainable Building
Economic benefits to Occupants
• Cheaper operating costs since energy bills will be lower
• Improved aesthetics and levels of comfort.
Economic benefits to Lending Institutions
• Since the owners will have lower operating costs more disposable income
should be available to them
• Therefore hopefully reducing the risk to lending institutions
Economic Benefits of
Sustainable Building
Economic benefits to Builders
• Lower landfill fees due to reuse and recycling of construction materials
• Lower material costs with careful purchase of resources and materials
• Potential earnings from sales of reusable items removed during the demolition
of old buildings
Economic Benefits to
Landlords
Economic benefits to Landlords
• Warm dry homes have lower operating costs which causes fewer
complaints to the housing associations
• Well designed sustainable housing can reduce potential maintenance
problems such as condensation
• Sustainable housing should be more desirable than conventional
homes, therefore minimising tenant turnover.
Economic Benefits to
Landlords
Economic benefits to Landlords
• Tenants of sustainable housing should have more money available to
pay rent due to lower fuel costs.
Sustainable Materials in
Construction
A useful indicator of the environmental impact of construction materials is
Embodied Energy
Embodied energy is the SUM of ALL the energy required throughout the lifecycle of
a material
That is energy in:
• Acquisition of the raw material
• Manufacture of the finished product
• Transportation of the product to site
• Construction of a building
• Maintenance through the life of a building
• Demolition of a building
Good Environmental Design
To reduce the Embodied Energy it is important to use a good design not only
in the structure but also in the management and utilisation of materials.
Timber frame construction can benefit this situation because:
• Timber is a renewable resource
• Timber has low embodied energy
• Timber has good thermal properties
• Timber has high strength to weight ratio
Additionally we can design for standard lengths/sizes, choose salvage
materials or choose long lasting low maintenance materials.