Some of the guiding principles in developing the
sustainable alternative building technologies can be
summarized as follows: Energy conservation; Minimize the
use of high energy materials; Concern for environment,
environment-friendly technologies; Minimize transportation
and maximize the use of local materials and resources;
Decentralized production and maximum use of local
skills; Utilization of industrial and mine wastes for the
production of building materials; Recycling of building
wastes, and Use of renewable energy sources.
Building technologies manufactured by meeting
a) Reducing Energy in Use
for example
Use maximum possible low embodied energy insulation, but with good
ventilation
Use low energy lighting and electrical appliances
Use efficient, low pollution heating
Make use of passive and active solar energy wherever feasible
Use passive and natural ventilation systems rather than mechanical
(b) Minimising External Pollution and Environmental Damage
for example
Design in harmonious relationship with the surroundings
Avoid destruction of natural habitats
Re-use rainwater on site
Treat and recycle waste water on site if possible
Try to minimise extraction of materials unless good environmental controls
exist and avoid materials which produce damaging chemicals as a by product
Do not dump waste materials off site but re-use on site
(c) Reducing Embodied Energy and Resource Depletion
for example
Use locally sourced materials
Use materials found on site
Minimise use of imported materials
Use materials from sustainably managed sources
Keep use of materials from non renewable sources to a minimum
Use low energy materials, keeping high embodied energy materials to a
minimum
Use second hand/recycled materials where appropriate
Re-use existing buildings and structures instead of always assuming that new
buildings are required
(d) Minimising Internal Pollution and Damage to Health
for example
Use non toxic material, or low emission materials
Avoid fibres from insulation materials getting into the atmosphere
Ensure good natural ventilation
Reduce dust and allergens
Reduce impact of electromagnetic fields (EMFs)
Create positive character in the building and relationship with site
Involve users in design and management of building and evaluating
environmental choices
aking transportation (as well as infrastructure) into account, not to
mention a portion of the energy used to make mining, processing,
transportation and construction equipment, one has a challenging task to
arrive at a comprehensive single figure for the embodied energy of any given
material. Considering the variety of materials which go into any building,
a single figure for a building is even more daunting.”
Even with a small building, such as a house, environmental issues must be
considered from the beginning of the process. It is not unusual to be contacted by
clients who have appointed an architect to design an environmentally friendly
building, who then ask for green experts to come along and give the consultant a
crash course in how to turn their design into something that might be a little less
damaging. Green building is not a separate specialist discipline, it must be fully
integrated with the whole process.