Green Design
by Harrison Warfel
With the rise in social interest amongst concepts such as sustainability and overall environmental consciousness, the “green building” concept has gained increasing attention in recent years as a means of reducing the environmental impact of new constructions. In this paper, I will examine the most recent technological developments in green building and their implications from environmental, financial, design, and global perspectives.
With a primary focus on reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, promoting energy efficiency, and using sustainable materials, green building projects are becoming the go-to method of development for new projects. One of the most recent developments is the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which employs advanced 3D modeling software to optimize building design and construction. According to a report Dr. Nicholas Chileshe from the University of South Australia STEM, BIM can help reduce material waste by up to 30% and energy use by up to 50% in building operations.
Another recent development is the use of smart building technology, which employs advanced sensors and controls to optimize energy use and reduce waste. According to the International Energy Agency, smart building systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% and operating costs by up to 10-30%. These statistics are easily accessible on the IEA webpage and just go to the show the multifaceted benefits sustainable design can bring, saving not only energy, but also money.
And these financial benefits aren’t limited to just decreasing operating costs. Green building projects have been known to offer several financial benefits, including, but not limited to, reduced energy costs, improved asset value, and increased marketability. According to a report by the Urban Land Institute, green buildings typically have lower vacancy rates and higher rents or sale prices than conventional buildings.
In addition to all the more global reasons to why green building is the way of the future, at a surface level, they are often incredibly practical methods of design. One recent development is the use of modular construction, which involves prefabricating building components offsite and assembling them onsite. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, modular construction can reduce construction waste by up to 90% and construction time by up to 50%.
Green building technologies have significant global implications, as buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. The adoption of green building practices can help mitigate climate change and improve global sustainability. According to a publication by the World Green Building Council, green buildings can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% and water consumption by up to 20-30%. In addition, green building technologies can promote economic development by creating jobs in the green construction industry and improving the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
Green building technologies have significant potential to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and promote sustainability. Recent developments in BIM, smart building technology, biophilic design, modular construction, and green roofs and so much more have all come together to transform the way we look at design and construction. These technologies offer several benefits, including reduced energy costs, improved asset value, increased marketability, and improved occupant comfort and wellbeing. From a global perspective, green building technologies can help mitigate climate change and promote economic development. As we continue to address the environmental challenges facing our planet, green building technologies will play a critical role in creating a more sustainable future.
Nikmehr, Bahareh, M. Reza Hosseini, Jun Wang, Nicholas Chileshe, and Raufdeen Rameezdeen. 2021. "BIM-Based Tools for Managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW): A Scoping Review" Sustainability 13, no. 15: 8427. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158427
https://www.iea.org/reports/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks
Frej, Anne. “Green Building - Home | Urban Land Instiute.” Green Buildings and Sustainable Development: Making the Business Case. Urban Land Insitute, August 24, 2003. https://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/GreenBuilding.ashx_.pdf.
“Modular Construction: From Projects to Products.” McKinsey & Company. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/modular-construction-from-projects-to-products.
“Benefits of Green Building.” Press: Benefits of green building | U.S. Green Building Council. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.usgbc.org/press/benefits-of-green-building.