Green building is a relatively new concept that seeks to minimize the environmental impact of construction while still providing a functional space. This is in contrast to traditional building, which has been around for centuries and does not take into account environmental concerns or energy conservation. Green building practices are becoming increasingly popular, and there are many benefits to using them over traditional construction methods. When it comes to materials, green buildings tend to use earthy materials such as wood, stone, and straw, depending on the climate and region. The principles of construction also differ between green and traditional building; conventional construction focuses on functionality, while green construction emphasizes sustainability and environmentally friendly materials.
From a builder's perspective, the end user can recover the initial additional cost of 2 percent, as they will ultimately benefit from it in the long term. Green building doesn't just benefit the end user; contractors can also benefit from using green building practices. LEED certification of a building has very little to do with the construction process itself, but it does show that the contractor is committed to sustainability. Green buildings have a low environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from site selection to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition. They also offer better health and well-being for occupants. From the use of recycled wood to the recycling of rainwater, green buildings leave a much smaller footprint on the environment than traditional buildings.
The initial cost may be higher for green building materials and practices, but in the long run they will save money on energy and water bills. In addition, green buildings use less water and energy and generate less construction waste. Contractors can make their projects greener by recycling concrete and building materials, using modular construction to reduce waste, ensuring proper disposal of materials, and using efficient equipment. Going green is not only beneficial for the environment; it can also save money in the long run. Green buildings cost 14% less to operate than traditional buildings. Light pollution can also be reduced by prohibiting upward-facing lights from entering the building.
This helps to avoid overdesigning the MEP system, greatly reducing resource use, space requirements and construction costs in green buildings.
