The Concept of Green Building -

Green Building refers to the incorporation of environment friendly and resource efficient processes at each stage of construction, right from site selection and designing to construction, operation followed by maintenance, renovation or even demolition. The endeavor is to seek minimum possible impact on environment.

The term ‘Green Building’ apply not just to products, but to construction strategies, building design and orientation, landscaping, building operations, maintenance, and more.

The concept of Green Building concentrates mainly on two points:

Increasing the efficiency with which buildings use energy, water and materials
Reducing building impacts of human health and the environment, through better site selection, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal throughout the complete life cycle

History of Green building

The increase of fuel costs in 1970’s along with the concern for environment kindled the awareness and encouragement towards Green Buildings. Architects and ecologists started looking for solutions like reflective roofing materials, triple-glazed windows to achieve energy savings. But with the decrease of fuel prices, the Green movement was slowed down and did not receive much encouragement. It was later in early 90’s that the movement got a kick start, and awareness began to spread about the need for sustainable buildings. An official Green home building program started in Austin, Texas in 1991. The movement has gradually gained momentum since then and we can now find significant changes in the newer buildings.

Components of Green building

Sustainable Site Selection:

There should be easy availability of public transport and conveniences so as to cut down energy consumption for transportation. A suitably selected site thus gets the benefit of mass transit.
Also, rehabilitation of sites damaged by environmental contamination is a better option than any new piece of land where large amount of energy and resource is needed to make the land worthy of fresh construction. Rehabilitation thus saves large amount of energy.
Already existing landscape, soil and natural features should be protected. For this reason, hard paving on the site should be avoided to preserve top soil and ease rain water harvesting. There should be minimum storm water runoff.

2. Material and Resources:

Sustainable construction material are chosen keeping in mind various characteristics like zero or low toxicity, high recyclability, zero or low off gassing of harmful air emissions, durability, reused and recycled content, sustainably harvested material.
Dimensional planning and other material efficiency strategies are used to reduce the construction costs. Construction and demolition material can be reused and recycled for e.g. inert demolition material can be used as base course for landfills
Utilization of rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo flooring, wool carpets, strawboard, cotton ball insulation, genuine linoleum flooring, or popular oriented-strand board (OSB). Using rapid renewable helps reduce the use and depletion of finite raw material.

Water Efficiency:

Installation of water efficient or low flow equipment in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce water consumption.
Incorporating waste water management technologies like dual plumbing for using recycled water in toilet flushing or using water conserving fixtures such as low flow shower heads, self-closing nozzles on hoses, water closets with dual flush options.
Re-circulation system for centralized hot water distribution.
For landscaping purpose, local plants and trees are used as they consume less water.
Provisions for reusing and recycling water are made to ensure efficient water management.

Using treated waste water, non-potable water for site irrigation. Integrating Rain water harvesting system in building design to ensure maximum possible utilization of rain water.

Benefits of Green Building

With new technologies constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the benefits of green building can range from environmental to economic to social. By adopting greener practices, maximum advantage can be availed for environmental and economic performance. Green construction methods when integrated while design and construction provide most significant benefits. Benefits of green building include:

Environmental Benefits: