What is the Environmental Impact of our Buildings?
From tall skyscrapers to humble homes, buildings shape the landscapes of our cities and influence how we live. Beyond their aesthetic appeal and functional purposes, they also have a significant impact on the environment, whether because of the materials they are made of, the energy they consume, or even the waste they leave behind during construction and demolition. Understanding the environmental implications of our built environment is crucial as we navigate the challenges posed by climate change and strive toward a more sustainable future.
In this issue of our Building Future Newsletter, we explore in detail the environmental impact of construction, addressing issues such as resource depletion, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation. By understanding the impact of our buildings, we are able to make informed decisions in pursuit of sustainable development, mitigating the negative effects of construction, reducing our dependence on finite resources, and creating spaces that promote the well-being of both people and planet.
While we often discuss the carbon footprint of our choices, companies, and buildings, it's essential to fully grasp its meaning. In this article , we aim to shed light on the subject, providing examples of materials and different analytical approaches. One intriguing tool developed at the University of Denmark presents the most widely used materials globally in a menu format, resembling a food pyramid, guiding us on what to avoid or prioritize in our construction practices. Additionally, we explore the lesser-discussed aspect of water consumption in building materials and processes , highlighting the highest consumers among the products employed in architecture.
In your opinion, should we be analyzing the impact of our buildings in some other way? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
See you in the next issue!
Eduardo Souza , Senior Editor, Brands & Materials
领英推荐
What Is the Environmental Impact of Each Building Material?
A new tool shows the environmental impact of the most common construction materials, focusing on an analysis of the first three life phases.
Why Should Architects Understand and Care About Carbon and Life Cycle Assessment?
Why is carbon so important and how are we –architects, architecture students or enthusiasts– involved in something that seems so intangible?
What's the Water Footprint of Your Architecture Project?
Discover how analyzing the water footprint of your building can help you identify areas for improvement and reduce water consumption.
Leading Architect in RAG Arquitectos
1 年This is the reason why we did a house based on rammed earth, built by people of the nearest town, trained them and made it how ever possible. "Valle de Plata"
Project Manager & Planner | Construction Coordinator | Civil Engineer
1 年?? This is a very interesting topic for me and I think it is one of the origins of professional ethics. With eco-friendly construction, we will appreciate all the natural conditions and finally hand over this valuable trust to the next generations without damage and even with positive growth. ? It is a long and somewhat complicated cycle and many indicators can be considered for it, but by preparing logical guidelines and protocols, the situation can be optimized and this type of attitude can be developed all over the world. ??After reading this article, I thought a little and according to my knowledge and experience in the construction industry, the following indicators came to my mind. ? The efficiency and stability of the material is a very decisive factor. ? The materials used should not disrupt the natural life cycle of organisms and plants. ? The per capita amount of pollution during production and executive activities in the project is very important. ? It is better to think about their recyclability when preparing and processing materials. ? If the material is locally and regionally accessible, the need for transportation will be reduced CINARK - Center for Industrial Architecture
FIBER GLASS BUILDING SYSTEM
1 年For de av oss som bygger med glassfibermoduler med lavest CO2-avtrykk av alle blir selvf?lgelig ikke tatt hensyn til i artikler som dette. At vi ogs? har minst behov for vedlikehold nevnes heller ikke, s? artikler som dette synes ? mangle grunnleggende kompetanse.
Next Trend Realty LLC./wwwHar.com/Chester-Swanson/agent_cbswan
1 年Thanks for Sharing.
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1 年Hello interesting post thank you