Green Building: A Sustainable Approach to Construction

This article discusses the concept of green building and its significance in promoting a sustainable environment. It explores the major elements of green buildings, including materials and energy systems. The article also covers passive solar systems, water management techniques, and the health components of green buildings. It highlights the advantages of passive solar design and the importance of rainwater harvesting. Overall, the article emphasizes the benefits of green buildings, such as utility savings, improved indoor air quality, and environmental sustainability.

GREEN BUILDING
Introduction
From various research and documented materials, the construction industry is fast gaining what
is known as a green revolution. This idea has taken route in most parts of the world, such as
Malaysia whereby several green initiatives have been implemented. Carefully examining the
construction industry, buildings play a significant role in promoting a green and sustainable
environment. Right from the construction materials, to the building technologies, a green system
will ensure that the main objective of coming up with a sustainable construction is achieved.
Problem statement
Currently, there is a great need for developing sustainable buildings for the sake of future
generation as well as environmental conservation. Human activities have over-relied on
depletable resources in the exploitation of energy, and these resources are fast becoming
obsolete. Thus, it means that an alternative has to be put in place in order to meet the ever-
increasing energy demands. In the past, sustainable buildings have been erected, and developing
such structures across will have a considerable impact not only on meeting the needs but also on
the environment.
Major elements of green building
The major components of green buildings include: Materials and energy
The materials for green building- These materials are obtained from natural resources which
can be renewable for sustainability. They are directly obtained in order to cut the extra costs
incurred during transportation. When selecting a building material for green construction; some

factors need to be considered. Such factors include the resources efficacy, environmental
impacts, waste reduction, social welfare, life cycle cost and the performance competence1.
Energy systems in green buildings- These are majorly meant to reduce the cooling and heating
cost in a building. These buildings incorporate energy-efficient techniques for lighting,
appliances, for instance, utilization of solar panels and wind turbines. Objectively, energy
efficiency will be enhanced, saving more energy with the energy stems. Energy efficiency
refurbishment and retrofit are some of the steps that can help realize this dream.
Rules of passive solar systems
 . For the best performance of the solar home, the long axis should face the east-west direction
such that a large percentage of the building glazing side faces the equator.
 The building should be sited in a place that it receives maximum sunlight between the periods 9
am and 3 pm.
 The windows should be placed at an angle of maximum 25 degrees away from the true south.
This will allow them to lose up to a maximum of 10 percent of the collected solar energy.
Otherwise, any greater angle will result in more solar energy loss.
 For the passive solar design, the magnetic south differs from the true south; hence this fact
should be factored in the design. The thermal mass masonry should not be allowed more than 8-
inch thickness, as it will affect the thermal efficiency.
 Light glazing diffusing windows, primarily one square foot, should be utilized as they strike a
substantial amount of thermal mass.
1 Charles K, Sustainable construction: green building design and delivery (John Wiley & Sons
2016).

 For each square foot of windows facing the south, 4 gallons of water or preferably 150 lbs. of
masonry should be used to provide the thermal mass.
 For the concrete that provides the thermal mass, they should be medium dark in color.
 For aesthetic purposes of covering the thermal mass floors, as many rugs as possible should be
used, as opposed to wall-to-wall carpet.
 For the mass walls that are non-thermal, they should be light-colored in order to offer a light
reflection on the thermal mass.
 Depending on the local climatic conditions, the optimal ratio of the square feet of floor space to
that of a window should be appropriately considered, not too large nor too small but medium
size.
The advantages of passive solar design
 Utility savings – this is one of the best benefits associated with passive solar designs, as it comes
with a lot of savings, the cost that can be channeled elsewhere.
 Provision of appropriate airflow conditions in different seasons- with passive solar design, the
various heating and cooling conditions are easily provided without depending on air
conditioners2.
 Insignificant emissions into the atmosphere hence promoting sustainability
 Promote goods health- an instance is during winter, where traditionally, a heated home would be
characterized by dry air that was enough to promote virus propagation and irritation of mucous
membrane. For the passive design, the air is not dried, hence alleviates possibilities of allergic
reactions.
2 Charles K, Sustainable construction: green building design and delivery (John Wiley & Sons
2016).

 Resale- a passive solar design beatifies the structure, making it attractive to potential buyers.
Passive solar heating
A number of the natural process of achieving sustainability in construction can be achieved by
constructing a building that takes care of heating and cooling of the structure. The passive solar
design makes use of the thermal energy flows, linked to process such as conduction, radiation,
and natural convection. When the rays from the sun strikes, wither a reflection, absorption, or
transmission of the emissions takes place. By extension, the generated heat results into
predictable air movement. These reactions results into material choices, design elements which
offer the necessary cooling and heating effect in homes. The primary elements of passive solar
heating include: "South facing glass and Thermal mass to absorb, store and distribute heat."
Water management in green building
Management of water in a green building depends on various technologies which are
environmentally friendly and installed in such structures to manage the collection and use of
water. Water management narrows down to water efficiency, which refers to the minimization
of the wastewater while reducing the utilization of water. Some efficient technologies to achieve
the best water management in green buildings includes
 Low flow plumbing fixtures- applicable in urinals, faucet, toilets, and aerators; moderates the
flow of the water
 Water-efficient toilets – toilets accounts for a large percentage of water used in a building/house.
Composting toilets would necessitate for space below the floor and would not require water.
With time and with appropriate treatment, these toilets would be able to generate compost
fertilizer3.
3 Charles K, Sustainable construction: green building design and delivery (John Wiley & Sons 2016).

 Water-efficient appliances – dishwashers and washing machines which consumes less amount of
water are already available in the market. They do not need for pre-rinsing, thus saving much
water4.
 Water audit system – this helps in tracking water usage, making the occupants suggest better
technologies of managing water usage.
 Use of mulch for conserving water and other techniques.
Rainwater harvesting in green building
Rainwater harvesting involves the collection of water directly from the rainfall from the
roofs. Objectively, the green building aims at reducing the building costs as well as the
environmental impact, by selecting the best design, site selection as well as operating system.
There are techniques for harvesting, either passive or active harvesting. All the water that is
harvested is filtered, then stored, after which it will then be re-filtered and utilized for irrigation
and flushing purposes of the washrooms. The water which is collected in a green building is
utilized in many different ways, which are recyclable. A special plumbing system is installed to
ensure appropriate distribution of water to various places of utilization.
Use of small barrels located at the end of downspouts is regarded as passive systems,
while the use of distribution pumps is considered to be active systems. A rainy filter that
operates on the principle of natural flow is used to filter the harvested water hence saving a
significant amount of energy. It autonomously separates the dirt in a desalting chamber which is
then stored in a rainwater sump. A UV filter and dual media filter automatically pumps and
4 Edmundas Z and others, "Sustainable decision-making in civil engineering, construction, and building technology."
Sustainability (2018)

filters the raw water pump. After that, a carbon activated filter and a pressure sand filter is
further used to purify the water, making it suitable for drinking.
Health components of green building
Using non-toxic materials and products will enhance the indoor air quality. Further, it will help
in reducing the rate of asthma, allergy and sick building syndrome. The materials are emission-
free, and have low carbon on VOC. The material content is moisture free and resistant to molds
as well as other microbes.
Problems associated with wasted energy in unoccupied spaces
Solution: this can be managed by the installation of motion activated lighting that runs on a
timer such that there is no risk of someone accidentally tapering the lights on in an unused area.
As well as ensuring that the lights on run during appropriate moments.
Conclusion
The project aimed at finding a gap in the construction industry and providing a
sustainable solution to the issue. With increased demands, meeting these demands will call for a
sustainable approach, and that’s why with a green building system, all these issues are deemed to
be met, as outlined in the project detail. The green building is characterized by systems such as
passive systems, heating, and cooling systems, which are associated with varied advantages. For
instance, a green building will ensure that utility savings are made, promotion of health,
achieving sustainability, reduction in emissions as well as other benefits.

References
Zavadskas E and others, 'Sustainable Decision-Making In Civil Engineering, Construction And
Building Technology' (Fs.unm.edu, 2019)
<http://fs.unm.edu/neut/SustainableDecisionMakingInCivil.pdf> accessed 17 July 2019
kibert c, 'Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design And Delivery' (Amazon.com, 2019)
<https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Construction-Building-Design-Delivery/dp/
1119055172> accessed 17 July 2019