Green Building in a Nutshell
So what exactly is green building or sustainable architecture? What are the main principles behind this concept? Below is an overview of the principles underlying this growing trend.
The Government of California describes green building first and foremost as a method of designing buildings in such a way that resources are used responsibly, focusing on the protection of the environment and occupants' health, while ensuring the building's long-term profitability. In other words, green architecture relies on structures whose design, construction and use have been thought out with a view to using energy, water and material resources efficiently.
In addition, in green building, prime importance is given to the health of its occupants and, in the case of work environments, improvement of personal productivity.
Benefits Across the Board
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recognizes that building according to eco-friendly criteria may appear expensive at the outset. This is because start-out costs in the green building approach are generally determined from cost analyses of a project's entire life cycle. However, once construction is completed, the lower daily operating costs, being actually much lower than those of "traditional" constructions, compensate largely for the initial cost.
For homebuilders on a limited budget, nothing prevents the introduction of just a few eco-friendly elements which can be done without significantly raising the costs. Everyone benefits in the end: operating costs are lower, the house and its occupants are healthier, and of course the planet benefits too.
The characteristics of green architecture Constructions are said to be "green" or "eco-friendly" when they are built according to certain principles relating to choice of site, building materials and architecture.
Choice of Building Site
Naturally, green building goes hand in hand with the protection of nature and of the existing plants and trees on the site. Green architecture therefore avoids clear-cutting the site – only the strict minimum of trees are felled, i.e. those that would otherwise hinder construction. Preserving the maximum number of mature trees not only helps to protect the environment but also provides natural insulation for the home, since trees help keep the house cool in summer and form a wind break during the winter.
Increasing the number of trees and plants also helps make the surrounding environment healthier. Did you know that one tree is capable of filtering 60 lb of pollutants from the air each year? That's why some homeowners take part in special tree-planting programs.
As much as possible, landscaping should be done using the plants already present on the site, as they require less watering and fewer herbicides. Recycled and recycled content materials can be used for paving. Finally, as an ultimate eco-friendly gesture, if your area is served by public transport, try to find a site that is linked to the system.
Material Efficiency
Qualities to look for when choosing materials for green architecture have to do with the efficiency of the material itself, maintaining good interior air quality, ensuring energy efficiency, saving and re-using water, and overall affordability. Compliance with these criteria in a green building means working with materials that are beneficial to the owner, to the environment and to the building's occupants, due to:
- Lower maintenance costs throughout the building's lifetime
- Optimization and conservation of energy
- Better health for occupants and higher productivity levels
- Low-cost, efficient configuration of space
Flexible Design
With a little planning, you can do a lot for the environment and reduce your building costs at the same time. Rooms designed on multiples of 4 feet, for example, conform to standard-sized wallboard and plywood sheets and therefore optimize the quantities of materials used. Oriented strand board, made from engineered wood sheets and which does not require the cutting of mature trees for its manufacture, is a durable, resource-efficient material used in the roof and wall construction of most new homes.
Materials should be chosen for their ability to provide a comfortable environment inside the home, whatever the outside temperature. The secret lies in installing windows and doors made from intelligent, high-efficiency glass, capable of filtering the sun's rays to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. Durable roof coverings, such as steel or fibre cement, reduce the frequency of roof replacement. There are now also solar roofing products that integrate materials such as asphalt shingles, slate or concrete tiles.
You can also reuse and recycle materials salvaged from building demolitions or from the current job site. There are various materials made from recycled products intended for the structural elements of a home, as well as materials designed for the decorative aspects too. For example, some contemporary floor coverings made of rubber or polymer mimic slate admirably - and are also lighter in weight and easier to clean. Other materials manufactured for countertops, walls and floors are composed of 75% recycled glass and 25% concrete.
Wood is also often used in green architecture; it is an essential material in construction and renovation in general and is appreciated for its warmth and decorative charm. There are a number of new wood products on the market, and innovations are constantly being developed in response to the need to protect the earth's forests. Lumber from endangered forests is increasingly being replaced by that of sustainably managed forests. In the same way, fast-growing species are being increasingly used; bamboo, for one, is enjoying a surge in popularity due to its aesthetic appeal and durability. Locally produced materials are also an excellent choice.
Recycled wood and plastic composites offer excellent resistance, are easy to clean and contain no harmful or toxic elements. Alternative flooring solutions include laminate, natural-fibre carpet or linoleum.
Vinyl is an excellent choice for exterior siding because it is low-cost and requires little maintenance. Fibre-cement siding is water-resistant and carries a 50-year warranty.
Walls, floors and ceilings are built with new types of insulated panels made of rigid Styrofoam insulation sandwiched between wood boards. These new products are recent arrivals on the building market but have already proven their worth as energy efficient products.
Energy Efficiency
So-called "passive" design can also play a major role in increasing energy efficiency. For example, the building can be oriented to allow in as much natural light as possible. The sun's rays can be used to heat the inside of the house, and sunlight, as we all know, has a positive effect on our mood, enhances well-being and thereby increases productivity levels. With this in mind, therefore, the house should be designed to include fewer east-facing and more west-facing windows.
For optimum results, a well-insulated structure should also be equipped with lighting, heating and cooling systems designed to allow maximum control and thereby avoid unnecessary energy loss. Efficient lighting systems with advanced lighting controls or motion sensors can considerably reduce electricity consumption.
You may also like to consider alternative energy sources such as photovoltaic panels, fuel cells or solar collector panels. If you are unsure about the reliability of these products because you feel they are still too new, remember that renewable energy sources are set to develop rapidly and become extremely important over the next few years.
The building's foundations should be just as well-insulated as the other walls of the house, particularly if the basement is to be used as a bedroom or family room. Your family will be more comfortable and your heating costs will be reduced as a result. Some houses are even built partially underground, which makes insulating easier and reduces heating and cooling needs because the earth's constant temperature regulates that of the home.
Water Efficiency
Using resources responsibly also means minimizing water consumption. Some plumbing systems include methods for recycling water and even recovering rainwater for reuse elsewhere. The Ketchum house in Ontario, for instance, which is recognized by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for being a home with "minimal environmental impact," uses a rainwater harvesting system, collecting rainwater in a tank to be reused for washing clothes and bathing.
But it is not necessary to undertake major plumbing work to do your part for the environment. You can make a difference simply installing a reduced-consumption shower head and toilet. Some types of toilet also use pumps to provide additional water pressure.
If you have water supply points situated a long way from the central water heating system, consider installing point-of-use hot water heating systems that heat water only when needed, thereby reducing wasted energy consumption. In the backyard, a micro-irrigation system is ideal for watering harder-to-reach areas.
Occupant Health and Safety
By building "green" you are also making a healthy choice for the whole family. In the work environment, build by the same principle with a view to improving the productivity of the building's occupants. Buildings constructed according to sustainable development criteria also help reduce the risk of developing respiratory diseases and minimize the number of cases of allergies and asthma. The concept of green architecture is closely linked to that of the "healthy house," which aims for excellent air quality. This is achieved through the use of materials containing no toxic substances (such as formaldehyde), and which do not emit toxic gases, as well as materials providing strong resistance to microbial and bacterial growth.
Ventilation should be adequate and have an efficient filter system. Proper moisture control - notably through effective ground drainage - is essential for preventing the formation of mould, and the health risks that it presents.
Nothing But Positive
Obviously, you will be able to achieve greater results if you have planned for and used green methods and materials from start to finish. But no matter how big or small your renovation project and whatever your attitude to future eco-friendly changes in your house, you only stand to gain from adopting more responsible habits and following sustainable development principles. Everyone will feel more comfortable and enjoy better health, not forgetting how much good you will do for the planet.
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 Did you know...
By recycling a single glass bottle:
You save enough electricity to power a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.
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