What is a sustainable building? The first question though should be “what is sustainable living?” In a nutshell sustainable living is to continue living on planet earth without further hurting its natural resources. Sustainable living is making full use of the renewable resources that are available to man: sun, wind, water and geothermal. A sustainable building therefore should encompass the utilization of all these renewable resources.
A green or sustainable building could be summed up as the result of design philosophies that put emphases on developing the efficiency of water, wind, geothermal and solar energies including the type of building materials used in structures. A sustainable building is designed with the reduction if not the total elimination of harmful effects of waste products and the impact they could bring on human lives and health and the environment.
What are the general guidelines then in the design, operation and maintenance of a sustainable building? A sustainable building must utilize the full potential of the use of renewable resources. Its design should prioritize the health and safety of its occupants. The design of the building should be integrated with lessening of waste and pollution and should depart from the wanton and uncalled for depletion of the earth’s natural resources; the damage of the ecosystem and the possible extinction of flora and fauna.
You have the responsibility to aim for a sustainable building. If each person would do his part to attain an acceptable level of sustainable living, then the earth could be safer place for this generation and the future generations. Global warming could be a thing that is unheard of if only earlier societies and civilizations knew the effect of the “progress” and industrialization.
There are simple things that you can do to attain a green home. The forest is fast depleting if not already depleted that choosing construction materials that are less harmful to your health and the environment. For your building’s flooring you can opt to have poured concrete and finish it off by shaved bamboos or laminates, cork and linoleum. You can also opt for MDF or engineered wood to avoid the further depiction of the world’s forests. You can also these materials for walls.
Design your building to harness solar energy even if only for water heating. The use of solar power however small is better than being fully dependent on electrical energy or gas. Make the building weather and air tight to avoid loss of heat. Integrate into the design through-ventilation so as to provide cool air in the summer months without total dependence on air conditioners.
A sustainable building is possible. A sustainable living more so.
A green or sustainable building could be summed up as the result of design philosophies that put emphases on developing the efficiency of water, wind, geothermal and solar energies including the type of building materials used in structures. A sustainable building is designed with the reduction if not the total elimination of harmful effects of waste products and the impact they could bring on human lives and health and the environment.
What are the general guidelines then in the design, operation and maintenance of a sustainable building? A sustainable building must utilize the full potential of the use of renewable resources. Its design should prioritize the health and safety of its occupants. The design of the building should be integrated with lessening of waste and pollution and should depart from the wanton and uncalled for depletion of the earth’s natural resources; the damage of the ecosystem and the possible extinction of flora and fauna.
You have the responsibility to aim for a sustainable building. If each person would do his part to attain an acceptable level of sustainable living, then the earth could be safer place for this generation and the future generations. Global warming could be a thing that is unheard of if only earlier societies and civilizations knew the effect of the “progress” and industrialization.
There are simple things that you can do to attain a green home. The forest is fast depleting if not already depleted that choosing construction materials that are less harmful to your health and the environment. For your building’s flooring you can opt to have poured concrete and finish it off by shaved bamboos or laminates, cork and linoleum. You can also opt for MDF or engineered wood to avoid the further depiction of the world’s forests. You can also these materials for walls.
Design your building to harness solar energy even if only for water heating. The use of solar power however small is better than being fully dependent on electrical energy or gas. Make the building weather and air tight to avoid loss of heat. Integrate into the design through-ventilation so as to provide cool air in the summer months without total dependence on air conditioners.
A sustainable building is possible. A sustainable living more so.
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