Sustainable Building in Construction Industry

This paper presents a conceptual framework for implementing sustainability principles in the construction industry. It discusses resource conservation, cost efficiency, and designing for human adaptation. Factors influencing building professionals in executing sustainable building are also explored. The paper aims to provide insights into how the construction industry is dealing with sustainability as a new trend.

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SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
By (Student’s Name)
Tutor’s Name
Course
University
City
Date

Sustainability 2
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary.................................................................................................................4
2. Objectives.................................................................................................................................4
3. Specific Objectives...................................................................................................................5
4. Background/Introduction..........................................................................................................5
5. Implementation of Sustainable Building within the Construction Industry.............................7
5.1. Resource Conservation.....................................................................................................8
5.1.1. Energy Conservation.......................................................................................................8
5.1.2. Material conservation..............................................................................................11
5.1.3. Water Conservation.......................................................................................................13
5.1.4. Land conservation.........................................................................................................15
5.2. Cost efficiency................................................................................................................15
5.3. Designing for human adaptation.....................................................................................16
6. Factors Influencing Building Professionals in Executing Sustainable Building....................18
6.1. Skills and experience of employees................................................................................19
6.2. Technology......................................................................................................................20
6.3. Design.............................................................................................................................21
6.3.1. Environmental construction and design factors.......................................................21
6.3.2. Social construction and design................................................................................22
6.3.3. Construction factors and economic designs............................................................23

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6.4. Sequencing and planning of work...................................................................................24
7. Findings...................................................................................................................................25
8. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................26
9. References...............................................................................................................................28

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1. Executive Summary
This paper gives a presentation of a conceptual framework that aims at the implementation of
sustainability principles within the construction industry. This framework works based on the
triple bottom line principle sustainability systems which generally is made of cost efficiency,
resource conservation and human adaptive designs. Through various kinds of literature, content
is produced with every principle is mostly seen to involve strategies, as well as methods applied
in a building’s life cycle, are presented and explained in clarity. In the adoption of these
frameworks, design teams have the ability to balance appropriately the social, economic and
environmental issues, in the process changing the technique used by building professionals in
thinking about the information used in projects, and facilitation of sustainable buildings. On the
other hand, there exist factors affecting the implementation of sustainable industrial construction.
Factors such as technology, design, worker’s experience and skills as well as work planning and
sequencing are discussed before defining the future challenge that is required on improving the
building designs in use.
Keywords: Triple Bottom Line, Sustainable Building, Human Adaptation, Cost Efficiency,
Resource Conservation
2. Objectives
In this paper, the construction industry is being brought under the microscope. Given that the
world is aiming to turn green, reduce its pollution, and become more conservative and cautious
in using its resources, the paper intends to show how the construction industry is dealing with
sustainability as the new trend.

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3. Specific Objectives
Within the concept of sustainability, the paper focuses on the construction industry and intends
to accomplish specific objectives once through. To begin with, the paper will identify how three
triple bottom line theory is implemented within the industry, it identifies the issues faced in the
triple bottom line theory, identifies ways sustainability is implemented in the construction
industry and how building professionals are coping with the suitability concept.
4. Background/Introduction
There is an estimation that when 2056 reaches, the activity within the world will be very high,
five folds (Visa, 2014). Additionally, the population growth within the globe is predicted to be
more than 50%, while global energy would have increased to almost three folds. Manufacturing
activities will not be less than three folds. Hence, in the globe, the construction industry is seen
as the industry with the most resource-intensive demand. When compared with different
industries, there is rapid growth in the building industry regarding the use of energy other than
finitely using fossil fuel resources (Wood & Safarik, 2014). Thereby, bringing in concerns
regarding difficulties in supply exhaustion of resources of energy as well as grave environmental
impacts. For example, carbon dioxide emission, depletion of the ozone layer and global
warming. Producing building material consumes energy, constructing buildings consumes
energy and operating in a completed building also uses energy. Therefore, buildings are major
environmental polluters. This brings the paper to an introduction of the principal issues that are
associating with the key themes in sustainable building. These issues are mapped out as well as
collated as seen in the table below (Lechner, 2014).

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TABLE 1 - ISSUES IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
Titles Key Themes Principal Issue
Economic sustainability Maintaining stable and high
levels of employment and
economic growth
Consistent profit growth,
supplier satisfaction,
Improved productivity and
delivering best value
providing services.
Environmental sustainability Effective environmental
protection
Pollution emission
minimization, environmental
improvement and habitat
creation and waste
elimination.
Prudent natural use of
resources
Lean construction and design
avoiding waste, use of
sustainability/recyclable
products and reducing energy
consumption and
Social sustainability Existing society progressing
towards recognition of
everyone’s needs.
Corporate citizenship,
minimal local disruption and
nuisance, equal opportunity
production and effective
appraisal and training
production.

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5. Implementation of Sustainable Building within the Construction Industry
In the achievement of a sustainable future within the building industry, this paper shows and
describes how the current building industry has tried implementing the construction of
sustainable buildings (Nymand & Fondahl, 2015). In this section, the paper describes a list of
general objectives that are shaping the framework as seen in figure 1. These frameworks are
derived while realizing the sustainability principles as well as their issues; environmental, social
and economic. The construction industry is implementing a sustainable concept using the
following objectives (Wilkinson et al., 2014);
I. Cost efficiency.
II. Resource conservation.
III. Design of human adaptations.
FIGURE 1 - SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

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5.1. Resource Conservation
In resource conservation, there is a target of achieving more using less. The concept entails
managing how human beings are using the natural resources for the provision of maximum
benefits to the recent generation other than maintaining the capacity to reach the future
generation’s needs (Ehmann, et al., 2014). This concept has grown in popularity to become a big
issue on sustainable construction. The construction industry is majorly using non-renewable
resources such as land, material, water and energy. Conserving these non-renewable resources is
vitally important for future sustainability (Magwood, 2014). Therefore, the construction industry
is employing resource conservation methods and strategies as designed in figure 2.
FIGURE 2 - METHODS AND STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVING RESOURCE CONSERVATION
5.1.1. Energy Conservation
The amount and kind of used energy during a building material’s life cycle straight from its
production process to its handling after the end life could be cut back by improving the
efficiency (Sayigh, 2013). With this effect, the emission of greenhouse gas is lessened and the
depletion of non-renewable resources is slowed down. With this realization, the construction

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industry has begun increasing its attention on improving the potential use of energy, reducing
emission that affects the environment. The construction industry’s looking into how it can
improve the energy life of buildings by studying their energy input as seen in figure 2 (Tucker,
2014).
FIGURE 3 - ENERGY INPUT STAGES IN A BUILDING’S LIFE
Hence, construction industries have created main goals towards the reduction of fossil fuel
consumption, other than increasing renewable energy use. Renewable energy use has therefore
been used through the following methods;
 Choosing methods and materials for construction
Construction industries are reducing their energy consumption by reducing heat loss or gain.
Hence, reducing the use of air-conditioning loads (Hakansson et al., 2013). Materials with low
embody are opted for due to their effect in reducing energy during mining, transporting,
processing and manufacturing.

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 Building envelope insulation
There is a great effect on energy expenditure through this means. Using a well installed and
designed insulation, the level of heat loss via buildings’ envelope is reducing by half. Also, heat
loss and draughts are being eliminated with an air-tight strategy in which the chimney and vents
are blocked while the ceilings and floors are insulated (Woolsey, 2013). This method recovers
heat.
 Designing energy efficient recycling after deconstruction
Material recycling has been cutting back on energy consumption from the manufacturing
industries (Ching & Shapiro, 2014). Buildings that are designed for deconstruction are being set
up for easier disentanglement other than the reduction of adhesives, chemical binders or coatings
for enhancement of easier separation of building materials.
 Designing low energy transportation
Regarding emission from travelling machines, the little effect would come from the reduction of
these number of vehicles used nationally since the transport system would still be wasting as
much energy and polluting the environment (van der Heijden, 2014). However, the latest
intervention has been the careful thought during the design of community layout in that area such
as shops, schools, as well as other services, are being brought in closer proximity to businesses
and houses. This technique has emerged due to the faster, easier and lighter driving required for
travelling other than creating an option for other means of transportation such as bicycles or
walking.
 Development of energy efficient technologies

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Fit outs, construction and maintenance of buildings is the truly integrated method for energy
efficient building processes. These processes are being instigated through project team leaders
from the starting point of construction to target lower consumption levels (Pfammatter, 2014).
 Choosing passive energy designs
Buildings are being constructed with passive energy designs such as the vegetation landscaping,
natural ventilation as well as these of water bodies for cooling and evaporation (Bigerna et al.,
2015). This has been good at helping achieve visual and thermal comfort within buildings and at
the same time significantly reduce the consumption of energy through conventional conditioning
of air. Designers and architects are achieving this energy efficiency through the study of micro
and macro climate of sites, application of bioclimatic and solar–passive designs other than taking
advantage of the natural site’s resources (Kitek & Kutnar, 2014).
5.1.2. Material conservation
Consumption and extraction of natural resources in for of building material or raw production,
materials for building as well as the development of numerous buildings is in itself directly
impacting the natural bio-diversity since the natural areas are being fragmented (Wirtenberg,
2014). Also, the ecosystem is being broken. This subsection is, therefore, looking at the ways the
construction industry is working to achieve material efficiency;
 Waste minimization designing
One major waste generator is the construction industry which has numerous social,
environmental and economic effects (Dincer et al., 2014). The increasing scholarly works have
been demonstrating how building designers have their crucial roles to play in minimizing and
reducing the construction waste. Lately, waste minimization is being addressed as parts of

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project sustainability agendas within the life cycle of the by applying the three design principle
in waste, namely: recovering and reducing construction waste, recycling and reusing as well as
disposal and storage of waste construction (Sanders & Wood, 2014).
 Specification of durable materials
Durability is an indicator that informs the extent of degree of a material maintaining its
originality over time. Building sustainably is, therefore, is enhanced through the increase of
materials’ durability. Material system or component are being considered durable when the
useful service life is of fare comparability to the required time of use in relation to the impacting
environment. Materials that have such long lives relative to other materials used for similar
purposes are being replaced less often (Opoku & Ahmed, 2015). What this does is a reduction in
required natural resources in manufacturing, as well as the level of money, demanded to install
the material and to pay for labour. Once the material has higher durability, there is reduced time
as well as resources in maintaining it. Moreover, the use of these materials means the building
will require lesser raw materials and will have a lesser landfill waste over its lifetime (Greeno,
2014).
 Specification of local and natural materials
The embodied energy in natural materials is usually lesser as well as its toxicity compared to the
materials made by man. Natural materials require lesser processing and have lesser damage to its
environment, for example, wood. Incorporating natural materials as seen in most buildings’ by-
products makes them more sustainable (Wheeler & Beatley, 2014). Also, sourcing building
material locally is helping in reducing the environmental burden since it reduces the transport
distance which leads to the reduction of air pollution through vehicles. Mostly, choosing local
material has been seen to be a better option since these materials are better suited to the climatic

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conditions other than supporting the economies of the specified areas. For example, the use of
decorative marbles that are required to be transported halfway the world was seen to be
unsustainable compared t the choice of using steel for its structural durability and strength being
a sustainable act since it can be manufactured close to the building sites (Caradonna, 2014).
 Pollution preventive designing
Pollution preventive measures are being taken during the construction and manufacturing
process since they are significantly contributing to environmental suitability. Construction
industries are selecting materials being manufactured by companies that are environmentally
responsible to encourage their efforts in pollution prevention. In spite of the products being
initially high in their prices, they do not pollute the environments (Anon., 2015).
 Specification of less-toxic or non-toxic materials
Less or non-toxic materials offer lower hazardous effects to the involved construction workers as
well as the occupants (Lynn & Carolyn, 2018). Numerous materials could adversely impact the
quality of indoor air, exposing the occupants to hazardous health. Constructive materials, for
example, the paints, sealants, adhesives and other mostly used products produce volatile organic
compounds which are dangerous for the short time after application. Others are able to last
longer and tamper with the quality of air in buildings. Industries are now opting to use building
materials that are lower in toxic substances to help in reducing environmental health problems
and reduce the urge to acquire air scrubbers.
5.1.3. Water Conservation
The water conservation strategies and technologies are usually overlooked features within a
building’s design. On the other hand, the implementation of planning regarding water uses in

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buildings is now a high priority. This is mostly due to the increased recognition of how saving
water is able to be implemented. Some of the ways the construction industry has realized how to
conserve water include (Kibert, 2016);
 Use of water-efficient plumbing designs
Most of the devices implemented in reducing the use of water include waterless urinals, ultra-
low flow urinals and toilets, sensored sinks, water efficient dishwasher, low-flow showerhead
use as well as a washing machine that are able to use less quantity of water (Goodhew, 2016).
 Dual plumbing designs allowing recycling
There implanted greywater systems that are recovering rainwater as wells toilet systems that are
able to recycle water. Gray water gotten from hand washing activities require less intensive
treatment compared to sewage. Thus they are able to be recycled or reused in irrigation of plants.
 Rainwater collecting
Just like the collecting of greywater, rainwater harvesting systems are being installed on houses.
Through harvesting rain via housing facilities, rainwater can be cleaned and used for drinking if
not irrigating plants or doing other house duties. These designs are a reflection of the past
technologies that were used in harvesting rain (Frick, 2016).
 Development of low-demand landscaping through plants
The use of natural landscaping by painting the indigenous plant species in compounds is able to
reduce watering since these plants already had adapted to these local environments. If the area
was drier, the watering would be less as the plants would be succulent in nature and store more
water. Therefore, the efficiency of watering is being improved through these means. Also, in
case the pants need regular but efficient watering, deploying drip irrigation is a choice to pick.

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 Pressure reduction
The rate of flow is directly related to pressure. Usually, there exists a capability of the maximum
flow of water from an operating fixture to be adjusted from their fixed flow rate. Thereby,
reducing the pressure to the required flow rate. This is the method that is being implanted in
some building to help curb water scarcity (Veljkovic, 2016).
5.1.4. Land conservation
The construction industries are impacting the environment in the process of expanding urban
areas. This shows the land importance in the vital indication of sustainability as it has the
potential of becoming an absolute indication of sustainable construction. The construction
industry is now adopting zero expansion policy in existing urban areas. How is this being
achieved? There is an adaptive reuse of existing buildings among other ways. Additionally, the
placement of building projects within the ease of access by the public I also removing the need to
expand the cities. Cities can then use their allotted land without invasion of virgin land (Perez &
Perini, 2018).
5.2. Cost efficiency
Lately, there has been clientele demand on the assurance of the constructed buildings that their
long term costs and economic performance. Additionally, the supply chain for construction
projects for the suppliers, developers, designers, manufacturers and construction team has been
having pressure to reduce their total cost of projects. This has forced builders to consider how
these buildings being built would cost in the lifecycle as well as having a successful continuation
of meeting occupants’ requirements. Buildings have been a representation of long-lasting and
large investments in financial terms levelling their size (Wood & Henry, 2016).

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Sustainability, as implemented in the construction industry, intends to promote the highest
efficiency other than reducing the costs financially. There exists great evidence of both public
and private sectors which a remaking decisions on building estimations on that relate initial cost
in construction with no cost or little considerations to maintenance and operations in a building’s
life cycle. During the choice in designed structures, building installations and building materials
are mostly accompanied by erratic investments due to improper control in economic decisions.
The sharp rise in cost is, therefore, instigating opportunities within the overall building’s
lifesaving used in achieving better investment in more energy-saving solutions. The latest
buildings have decided to save on the maintenance and operation cost such as choosing a
building that does not need a cost for painting or requires less painting. This means that the
economic operation of the building is now being considered throughout the stages of building
construction as well as during the conservation or maintenance in a life cycle (Delgado, 2016 ).
For almost certainty that the sustainability objectives are achieved, the Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
is playing a big role. This LCCA is the assessment approaches that are able to predict the
buildings’ costs through the operation, replacement, and maintenance until the building reaches
its end of life-cycle. The life-cycle cost implementation utilizes thoughtful, comprehensive
designs together with practices in construction. Hence, Life-Cycle Cost has been proving a cost-
efficient tool in construction projects.
5.3. Designing for human adaptation
One major purpose of sustainable building is for the provision of comfortable and healthy human
activities. Buildings should be accommodating activities and be built for providing good floor-
space, shelter, room volume, amenities and light for living, working curing, processing and
learning. Hence, the building in the latest designs is being built to offer a comfortable and

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healthy indoor climate to its occupants. With these basic requirements, the building industry is
also employing strategies that reduce harm to its occupants or workers during construction. For
example, the buildings are being made fire safe and structurally stable. The stability means the
buildings will not easily cause risk to the environment tor unnecessary loading. The following
methods are the most commonly used techniques in creating a human adaptive environment in
buildings.
 Thermal comfort
This requirement is important for occupants’ productivity and satisfaction. Buildings are
maintaining thermal comfort through regulation of environmental parameters. Parameters such
as humidity, temperature and air velocity are being monitored to optimum levels. Also, they are
offering personal parameters such as slotting in closets or increased clothing abilities to suit
different occasions. Additionally, they are developing enveloping measures, for example,
reflective roofing’s that prevent the concentration of heat in houses (Echarri & Brebbia, 2016).
 Daylighting
Nowadays, buildings are opting to include natural light for improving illumination in designs.
Transparent as well as translucent materials are being incorporated into roofing or walls to
facilitate light penetration. This light is beneficial as it can help in vitamin D synthesis.
Therefore. Daylight is good. However, this amount of light has to be monitored to prevent
overheating in houses as heat can be trapped.
 Building aesthetics
There is an increased value when bearing in mind the inclusion of psychological comfort within
building designs. Buildings that appear classic and elegant in design increase comfort within the

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living environment due to the walls having art, visual effects or natural elements such as
aquariums, plants and fountains. This beauty has been hard to put a price on it, they are usually
priceless (Keeler & Vaidya, 2016).
 Acoustical environment
The creation of workspaces had previously been given less consideration in that no attention was
paid during designs and planning. In achieving acoustic comfort, noise from their respective
sources should be controlled by either using electric or mechanical equipment. Alternatively, the
noise can be handled using interior house designs. Through proper selection of wall insulations,
windows, as well as wall framings there is an essential reduction of noise coming from the
exterior of buildings (Keeler & Vaidya, 2016). There are good insulation materials being
implemented n house designs such as the straw-bale acoustic ceiling tiles. These types of
insulation are not just noise insulators, they conserve the environment since they are recyclable.
Some industrial buildings have also been restricted to be controlling their noise levels hence,
they opt to use isolate or eliminate noise coming from the HVAC equipment. The acoustic
zoning, construction, equipment selection and appropriate designing of piping, ducts and
electrical equipment helps in reducing noise.
6. Factors Influencing Building Professionals in Executing Sustainable Building
Magwood (2016) reported that the designs, technology, planning, skills, experience and work
sequencing of an employee are the most important factors that have an influence on the
sustainability of construction. However, Stenn (2016) opines that knowledge and experience,
innovation abilities, organizational sustainable cultures are very critical compared to any factors

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in existence. Wilkinson and Dixon (2016) agreed with these findings through empirical research
in Thailand.
Even though pieces of training in construction skills have been on the rise over the current years,
there is still a problem in acquiring employees with qualifications to perform specific tasks.
Construction industries are facing challenges such as insufficient labour. Inadequate labour is
caused by the varying skill demands due to construction practices and technologies which are
changed or introduced which renders the previous qualification skills insufficient. Shortages in
labour are as a result of many people not being passionate about working in certain places or due
to lack of enough training which renders it impossible for individuals with interest in the
construction field to obtain the required skills. In a lot of nations, there exist sufficient
individuals with interest in working within construction fields. Therefore, gaps in skills are a
majorly as a result of rapid activities of construction with advanced techniques and technologies
which vary the dynamics of skills rapidly compared to pieces of training and education systems
can adjust. There exist an argument that strategical skills which rely on the development of
abilities and skills ahead of recent practices, aid in rendering huge contributions towards an
objective policy of achieving sustainable construction.
6.1. Skills and experience of employees
Certain skills are required for specific employment clusters and occupations (Eley, 2016). There
are a number of substantial skills required by people working in every sector of construction
industries. There is a need for change in adaptability since changes are rapidly occurring.
Sufficient awareness of the environment is called upon as well as the interdisciplinary skills such
as the capability of working effectively with others from various fields. Interdisciplinary skills
also involve setting individual skills which cross employment traditional boundaries. Lastly,

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leadership skills, coordination and team working skills are very critical key skills in every
building fields. Specific concerns in developed nations, in which retrofitting job is very crucial
compared to recent buildings, is that in most occasions workers in construction sectors prefer
retrofitting jobs in individuals homes compared to working at huge construction sites. Working
at peoples' homes has very different requirements and acceptable manners such as proper
communication skills are very crucial in working with clients. People who at construction site
require pieces of training which prepares them to work in various environments.
6.2. Technology
Numerous recent technologies and innovations created worldwide in construction and real estate
industries are focusing on sustainable construction. Modern materials, modular techniques, pre-
fabrication and 3-D printings and many more new trends are impacting building industries.
These new trends are enhancing growth in industries that have adopted them, especially in
Australia which has been reluctantly adopting them until now (Lin, 2016). Construction
companies have strategies that are clear to enable them to identify areas in which technology can
create very huge impacts. These strategies match the requirements of technology and business
goals with choices directed at the approaches of putting clients at the centre. There is substantial
growth in many of the building companies that have willingly adopted technology and a number
of them good at construction business have geared towards the sustainable building by
transforming their building techniques with technology. Change is becoming a necessity for
some of the construction companies that have been waiting and watching their competitors
implement modern technologies with an objective of attaining sustainable building. Competitors
are able to gain from efficiency and improved processes however, embracing technologies and

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innovations in building industries is not an easy task but a growth, competition and sustainability
necessity. The following are the advantages of technology (Wilkinson et al., 2014);
 Rapid construction duration
 Very few defects
 Enhanced productivity from resources available
 Minimizes labour costs
 Minimizes waste
 Improved safety and health
6.3. Design
Buildings that are environmentally sustainable tries to reduce the environmental effects of
construction. Sustainable construction safeguards the environment through the application of
sustainable components, water and energy efficient techniques, landscaping which put into
consideration the biodiversity of the site and the available natural components.
6.3.1. Environmental construction and design factors
 Energy
Elements of design including insulated double glazed windows, window shading, hot water
systems, roof vents which accommodates the escape of hot air and roof with light colours for
heat reflections situated very close to places in which hot water is required enhances the energy
efficacy of buildings (Wood & Safarik, 2014).
Most of the modern homes adhere to the requirements of efficiency energy of the Building Code
of Australia. Energy stars rating out of 10 is the building design of a shell, which implies walls,

Sustainability 22
floors, roofs and windows. The least ratings for modern townhouses and buildings are now at six
stars.
 water
Approximately 33% of the energy from Queensland homes is consumed by hot water however,
the emission of greenhouse gases is minimized by 80% by use of efficient green-house hot water
systems. These systems are made up of either electric hot water heat pumps or hot water solar
systems or hot water gas system. AAA-rated showers are considered to be sustainable which
implies that per minute, nine litres of water are produced (Dincer, et al., 2014).
 Materials
In the construction of buildings that are sustainable, suitable materials are used efficiently. This
may also include; preventing wastes on construction sites, applying recycled materials and
developing waterways run-offs elements.
 Site effect and Landscaping
Landscaping efficacy comprises working with and not against nature surrounding buildings such
as maintaining the vegetation in existence, landscaping techniques which need less water and
maintenance. Effective landscaping also includes the development of an environment which
accommodates the flourishment of wildlife and plants (Echarri & Brebbia, 2016).
Buildings that are sustainable socially are built and designed to meet the needs of visitors and
occupants. They provide a safe, healthy, secure and comfortable environment that is suited
properly and accessible to its surroundings.
6.3.2. Social construction and design
 Comfort and health

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Persons working or living in buildings that are sustainable experience a feeling of comfort which
implies that they have reasonable enough spaces, privacy, natural light and ventilation (Ehmann,
et al., 2014). Building with taller walls facing towards the North is minimally exposed to the sun
during summer and maximally exposed during winter.
 Security and safety
Structures are constructed and designed to minimize the probabilities of injuries and accidents,
for instance, the application of materials with less formaldehyde, non-combustible materials and
fewer VOC paints. This design makes sure that pathways and entryways are accessed
conveniently with sufficient lighting. Security fittings and fixtures consist of devices such as
alarms and sensor light systems. Buildings that are sustainable economically provide financial
savings that are long-lasting due to efficient energy designed devices, appliances, materials and
features. The features continuously run with fewer costs of maintenance (Sayigh, 2016).
6.3.3. Construction factors and economic designs
 Costs of construction
During the process of designing, factors including materials and size of the building are put into
the account in regards to their effectiveness in costs. The use of recycled or local materials
during the process of constructing aids in minimizing costs and cause long-lasting effective costs
(Pfammatter, 2014).
 Running costs
After constructing a building, its continuous costs for maintenance are crucial factors. Buildings
that are designed to fit sustainability purpose consist of; the application of passive design
components and materials that are sustainable, fittings and fixtures such as dual-flush toilets and

Sustainability 24
solar panels. These sustainable buildings have minimized continuous maintenance costs as a
result of lower dependence on climatic control and artificial lights (Keeler & Vaidya, 2016).
6.4. Sequencing and planning of work
It appears to exist information between sections that are missing, particularly in relation to
complex interactions and relationships in regards to sustainability. Communication of issues
related to sustainability is possibly the difference between failure and the success of a project. To
gain construction acceptance from its different stakeholders, communication is crucial in regards
to the effects of the triple bottom which will be brought about by the structure (Echarri &
Brebbia, 2016). Therefore, communication is perceived as a critical role of the project managers
in an attempt to manage the interests of stakeholders in regards to the project's purpose and
resultant sustainability impacts. The management team of a project via communication develops
a dialogue that is working which simplifies the identification of actual project conflicts. The
dialogue also sweeps away false misunderstandings and conflicts, hence, the attaining the
project's acceptance.
It is very important to be familiar with stakeholders alongside their concerns and requirements in
regards to the project’s purpose. Within the construction field, stakeholders including a broad
variety of entities indirectly or directly offer resistance or support towards the completion of the
objectives of projects. Caradonna (2014) opines that the process of managing stakeholders
minimally comprises of four requirements. Firstly, obtaining acquaintance from the stakeholders
of the project. Secondly, to enhance the balance between rewards and contributions in regards to
the correlations with stakeholders. Thirdly, defining and planning on how to manage the
concerns of the stakeholders. Then lastly, creating a decision base in which stakeholders must be

Sustainability 25
engaged in the determination of the success measures and goals of the project (Echarri &
Brebbia, 2016).
Construction projects involving both opponents and proponents always argue to defend their
cases from an angle of development sustainability. The team managing the project openly and
clearly evaluates every potential option in achieving the purpose of the project in relation to
relevant sustainability concerns. This evaluation is very crucial because it contains the
perspective of stakeholders to a construction project. Individuals managing construction Projects
have techniques and tools that enable them to incorporate the purposes and goals of projects
along with the needs and concerns of different stakeholders. This stakeholder is classified into
the aspects of the bottom line with respect to construction sustainability (Delgado, 2016 ).
7. Findings
Construction industries are crucial economic aspects, however, they have enormous
environmental effects. Given their sizes, construction companies are among the biggest
consumers of energy, water, material resources and also formidable polluters. In respect to the
given effects, a consensus has increased among entities, committed to performing environmental
goals that reflect actions and strategies required in achieving high sustainable construction
activities (Delgado, 2016 ).
Sustainability concept includes improving the quality of life which enables individuals to live in
better healthy surroundings with enhanced social, environmental and economic conditions
(Wirtenberg, 2014). A sustainable construction project is built, re-used, renovated, designed and
operated in a resource efficient and ecological manner. Projects sustainability has the following
objectives;

Sustainability 26
 Cost-effective
 Conserves environment
 Designed for human adaptation
Building professionals possess certain qualifications that enable them to meet the mentioned
objectives. Therefore, how they perform their tasks with respect with creating sustainable
building relies on the following factors;
 Skills and experience of workers
 Design
 Technology
 Sequencing and planning of work
8. Conclusion
Buildings that are sustainable are considered as the mechanisms in which construction
companies are moving towards safeguarding the environment (Delgado, 2016 ). Sustainability in
construction is promoted through the pursuance of balanced social, environmental and economic
performance in the implementation of building projects. There is a clear connection between
construction and developing sustainability due to construction having substantial economic
importance. Construction also has strong social and environmental effects. With the increased
awareness in respect with protecting the environment this issue is obtaining broader attention
from building stakeholders all over the world (Sayigh, 2013). Therefore, these workers are
improving their skills and experience, design options and technologies used in sequencing and
planning their task. This qualification enhancement is driven towards obtaining sustainability in
construction industries. Construction companies, in the end, have the intention of minimizing

Sustainability 27
harmful environmental effects. Sustainability in the construction companies is being attained
through design options, efficient resourcing and efficient costs for human adaptation (Ehmann, et
al., 2014).
Future Requirements
The requirements for sustainability are less or greatly interrelated. Designers are facing these
problems of combining the numerous requirements of sustainability in an innovative manner.
The modern design techniques recognize the effects of all design options on the cultural and
natural resources of global, regional and local environments (Delgado, 2016 ). The requirements
of sustainability are being applied throughout various stages of the structures life cycle. The
cycles of structures include; during the designing of the structures, during the time the structure
is in service and until when structural wastes are managed during the stage of demolition
(Magwood, 2016).

Sustainability 28
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