Awareness and Application of Sustainable Construction †Free Samples

Question: Discuss avout the Awareness and Application of Sustainable Construction. Answer: Introduction The domestic sector in the United Kingdom account for a large percentage of the energy consumption (Barrett, et al, n.d.). The major energy consumers are space and water heating as opposed to lighting and electrical appliances. Some statistics prove that the older a building is the poorer its energy performance. When the space heating is saved, there is a significant scope for energy efficiency improvements. The structure, construction process and the occupancy process are deemed environmentally responsible and resource efficient in sustainable construction. The practice is maintained throughout the buildings entire life cycle from the site location, to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. The main aim of green construction is to have development that satisfies the needs of the current population without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Abidin, 2010). Construction is considered sustainable if it enhances living, working and leisure environment for the population management, consumes minimum energy as well as generating minimum waste over its life cycle. Such a construction integrates with the natural environment and ensures the use of renewable resources where possible. Green construction avoids causing permanent damage to the natural environment by demolitions and consumption of a large amount of resources. It is rather considered unsustainable when it causes unnecessary waste of energy, water or materials due to short life, poor design, inefficiency or the low standard construction techniques (Ortiz, et al, 2009). The zero or low carbon design technologies seek to introduce high standards of fabric energy efficiency so as to reduce the energy demand and to incorporate low carbon energy technologies to reduce the carbon emissions from heat and power generation. The projects require a huge investment in the carbon-saving infrastructure deployment in the construction of residential and commercial sites (John, et al, 2005). The aim of the sustainable construction is to reduce wastage and carbon emissions while ensuring that the natural resources are maintained for the future generations. The zero carbon design technologies implemented usually seek to reduce the need for energy as well as utilize the available energy efficiently. Some of the non-depletable natural energy sources are used such as the wind and solar energy. Biomass is a form of bio-energy that is obtained from the wood fuel, energy crops or the wood waste, agricultural residues of the biological components (Matthews, et al, 2012). The designers such as the architects and the engineers are responsible for the design of a building that optimizes the electrical, heating, and cooling loads. The construction depends highly on the selection of specific materials to use and reduce the loads. This is achieved by the design and utilization of free energy gains or the passive gains and the specification of mechanical and electrical equipment and systems that satisfy the energy loads. The designs should aim at creating a more commercially viable zero carbon home by orienting it for maximum solar gain and renewable energy generation. The designs seek to conserve all the resources and ensure that the structure is self-sufficient. The use of large windows on the sides of residential buildings, plantation to cover the open lands or even on the walls of buildings gives an ecological feel. The use of efficient water gutter system to collect rain water for reuse in house chores. Another design approach is the installation of so lar heaters on the rooftops to conserve electricity when hot water is required (Ilha, et al, 2009). The life cycle assessment is a very resourceful tool for assessing environmental performance and sustainable development. One of the key ways to manage the zero carbon in sustainable construction is to involve it in legislation. It should be stated as a mandatory target as well as have a strategic plan to eliminate the carbon emissions to the highest level by the year 2050 in the UK and in 2030 in the USA. The international community needs to embrace the move to ensure that the environment is protected. There are several decisions that need to be made when considering the sustainable construction such as the increase of profit margins, green credentials, and business opportunities (Kukudia, et al, 2004). The choice of renewable energy systems is highly dependent on the construction site. The site could be located in a region where the solar energy is abundant or where there is a lot of wind. In the urban areas, there is a lot of waste materials that can be converted to biomass which is another suitable form of energy especially for small energy requirements such as heating and cooking. Many building are coming up with designs that conserve the natural resource management provided. The key concern on lighting is achieved by ensuring that the building is well lit and no electricity is used for lighting during the day. During the night, there can be solar energy, wind energy, or hydropower. Water is another key resource in construction and residential setups. Rain water can be collected and used for the wash areas and toilets. The greywater can be used to irrigate, water the open areas or even in washing cars (Ugwu, 2006). Conclusion To reduce the carbon footprint during construction, the operational team needs to use products that cause minimal harm to the environment. These materials need to be energy efficient in terms of their manufacture, distribution, use and disposal. The paper broadly discusses the environmentally friendly alternatives such as the use of low energy forms of construction as well as being mindful of processes that could cause emission of CO2. Reference List Halliday, S. Sustainable Construction; Butterworth Heinemann: London, UK, 2008. Barrett, P.S.; Sexton, M.G.; Green, L. Integrated delivery systems for sustainable construction. Build. Res. Inf, 27, 397404. Abidin, N.Z. Investigating the awareness and application of sustainable construction concept by Malaysian developers. Habitat Int. 2010, 34, 421426. Ortiz, O.; Castells, F.; Sonnemann, G. Sustainability in the construction industry: A review of recent developments based on LCA Constr. Build. Mater. 2009, 23, 2839. Ortiz, O.; Pasqualino, J.C.; Castells, F. Environmental performance of construction waste: Comparing three scenarios from a case study in Catalonia, Spain. 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