What Is Sustainable Building?

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Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash

Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash

You might think green and sustainable are the same thing. Because they are often used interchangeably when talking about things that are generally better for the environment. However, there is a big difference between what a green project is, green initiatives, and what sustainable building is.

So what is the difference between green and sustainable buildings? And what is sustainable building?

Green

This concept is something that is solely focused on the environment. It is further into simple individual practices, protocols, and processes. You could think about it as the steps on the way to being environmentally sustainable.

A great example is the green initiatives, like switching to a renewable energy source or actively reducing your carbon footprint; these could be implemented in efforts to become more sustainable overall.

So think about green, going green, and green initiatives as the smaller goals on the way to meeting the biggest overall goal, which is being sustainable, and sustainable building.

Sustainability

The issue is that sustainability is a very broad concept, and sometimes they can feel very obscure. But really, when it comes down to it, sustainable building is providing a space that is healthy, comfortable, and a productive environment over the longer term, that has no negative, or in fact, zero impact on the local environment.

And it is worth remembering that sustainable buildings are not just about the environment. They should, in fact, take into consideration the three pillars of sustainability. And in order to meet those goals, all of the companies that are worked with should also be sustainable or understand the process in such a way that they can contribute, like sustainable architects, sustainable interior designers, and so on.

Those three pillars of sustainability, people, profit, and planet are essential.

In order to truly produce a building that is sustainable, the idea should be baked in every stage of the process from start to finish.

The general stages would be as such:

  • Planning

  • Design

  • Construction

  • Operation and maintenance

  • Demolition

It might sound strange but taking into consideration how a building would need to be demolished is essential. How can the demolished materials use to be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner? What makes those materials ideal for ease of demolition?

What can building owners do now?

It’s essential to know that most buildings have been around and before green and sustainable architecture, design, and energy were available. However, that does not mean that you cannot then make changes to how the building runs now.

  • You can simply look at things like reducing your energy waste.

  • Improving the health of your building by checking air quality,

  • And reducing your overall environmental impact by having things like solar panels fitted and using renewable energy technologies whenever possible.

When it comes down to it, everybody is most likely on some step of the going green or green initiative ladder. On the way to becoming sustainable as possible while still making good business sense - and that is a good thing.