As the world focuses on achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal No. 11—"Sustainable Cities and Communities," the construction industry plays a major role in fast-tracking the progress. The goal talks about making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, for which builders are focusing more on durable and sustainable construction methods in the structures they build.
Durable and sustainable construction is one way to mitigate carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, and ensure the durability of buildings. To achieve this, builders have to stick to the seven key principles that help reduce the negative impacts of construction.
The Seven Key Principles for Durable and Sustainable Constructions are:
1. Sustainable Design: Research into the building's location and surroundings, the materials available locally, and ways to employ smart design to reduce overexploitation of natural resources.
2. Sustainable Materials: Prioritize using renewable and eco-friendly materials. Ensure the materials are certified by organizations like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
3. Reduce Waste: By implementing the RRR strategy (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle), proper waste reduction and management is achieved. Opt for deconstruction over demolition to reduce the waste.
4. Energy Efficiency: Use methods like insulation, lighting, heating and cooling, and building facade to improve Energy Use Index (EUI).
5. Durable Structures: Multiple factors contribute to the durability of buildings. Be selective in choosing the location, materials, design, construction methods, and every other aspect related to durability.
6. Water Conservation: Implement sustainable water designs by reducing leaks, using pressure-reducing valves, and ensuring regular maintenance.
7. Improve Air Quality: Incorporate design features such as solar chimneys, wind towers, ridge vents, and high louvers to provide natural ventilation.
In addition to the above principles, it is equally important for builders to be mindful about ethical material sourcing, fair wages, and respecting local cultural sites and preserving local habitats. Among these key principles, building materials play the major role in driving sustainable practices. The following section will give you the knowledge about the building materials that have a significant impact on ensuring a durable and sustainable construction.
Top 5 Building Materials for Durable and Sustainable Construction
1. Bamboo:
Through a lot of research, we have come to the conclusion that the most versatile material that can be used in construction is bamboo. It is known as the fastest-growing, carbon-absorbing plant that requires very few resources to grow, making it a highly renewable resource. Here are some ways bamboo can be used in construction:
- Roofing: Bamboo has very high thermal insulation, which provides a cooling effect in the room by promoting natural air movement.
- Flooring: The plant is naturally antibacterial, water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and has a lifespan of over 25 years, making it an extremely durable choice for flooring.
- Staircase: Bamboo staircases are a more affordable alternative compared to concrete or steel staircases, which are of high cost.
2. Recycled Steel:
Recycling is one of the ways towards sustainability. Recycled steel minimizes the need for sourcing new steel, conserving energy, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing waste. This makes it an ideal choice for framing, roofing, and structural designs. Few uses of recycled steel are listed below:
- Bridges: Though recycled, it retains its strength, can withstand heavy loads, and is therefore suitable for complex structures like bridges.
- Building Frames: Due to its ductility, recycled steel can be stretched and deformed into any shape without breaking. Note that the steel should contain a low amount of copper to exhibit this feature.
- Reinforcements: Recycled steel bars can be used for concrete structures to give them strength and durability.
3. Reclaimed Wood:
Wood that is no longer usable in its original form but perfect for repurposing is called reclaimed wood. It is generally sourced from historic buildings, old structures, and warehouses. Instead of being discarded, it is deconstructed, processed, and reused for new applications. Uses of reclaimed wood are:
- Cladding: Since reclaimed wood has already been exposed to environmental conditions, it is ideal for exterior elements like cladding.
- Furniture: Reclaimed wood is preferred for various types of furniture, both indoor and outdoor, due to its durability.
- Decorative Elements: It adds a rustic and aesthetic look to spaces.
4. Recycled Plastic:
Plastic has been a growing environmental concern worldwide, and there are many strict regulations and policies to control it. One way to address this issue is by recycling and reusing plastic. A recent innovation for reducing plastic waste is the use of recycled plastic in place of traditional asphalt for paving the roads. The other ways are:
- Building Blocks and Bricks: Recycled plastic is molded into bricks and blocks, which are lightweight and are used as an alternative to traditional ones.
- Water Management: Pipes made of recycled plastic do the same job as the traditional plumbing pipes and can also be used in drainage systems.
- Exterior Paneling and Cladding: They provide excellent weather resistance and low-maintenance surfaces that can be used for external cladding.
5. Ferrock:
Ferrock is a carbon-negative alternative to traditional concrete, made from recycled materials such as steel dust and industrial waste. It is known for its durability, fire resistance, and its ability to sequester carbon dioxide during the curing process.
- Marine-based structures: Ferrock is chemically inactive, and the presence of marine salt enhances its strength even more, increasing the durability of the structures.
- Pipes and tubes: With resistance to oxidation, UV radiation, corrosion, chemicals, rotting, and rust, Ferrock is an excellent material for manufacturing durable pipes and tubes that are suitable for plumbing.
- Alternative to cement: Unlike cement, it absorbs carbon dioxide during its production, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
Conclusion
To ensure that the industry does not fall behind in achieving sustainable goals, measures such as those discussed above must be incorporated by builders as much as possible. Apart from being eco-friendly, adopting durable and sustainable construction practices also provides an added advantage within the community and among clients. Together, with Saaranj Ventures, we can create structures that not only stand the test of time but also contribute to a sustainable world for generations to come.
