The goal of sustainable construction is to create models that safeguard the natural environment. But they must also be able to improve energy and water savings, for lower bills but above all for a lower environmental impact. The materials chosen in the projects must, for this reason, be ecological and guarantee good efficiency and protection of resources.
From sustainable construction we have been hearing about it for a long time now, but perhaps we do not always have full knowledge of the facts and understanding of its meaning. The devil, as they say, is in the details and in this case the discussion does not change. The world of green building is immense, but to understand it we must start from its basics, in order to grasp its essence.
In fact, the concept of sustainable construction starts from the assumption of building in an environmentally friendly way, with solid materials, but also with low environmental impact. We try to use elements that have not undergone invasive production processes in terms of pollution, but also able to improve the energy or water efficiency of the house.
The planet’s resources are fewer than in the past and it is up to human beings to be able to protect the planet, avoiding plundering it. Green building goes in this direction, to recycle recyclables and have little impact on an ecological level. In this context, after green design, the materials used are certainly important.
New green homes, or renovations of old ones, often now follow the principle of sustainable construction, which helps not to waste resources. If we intend to build or renovate, the advice is to rely on a qualified company that has knowledge of the challenges of green building and can give us the right suggestions.
Sustainable construction: the choice of materials
The choice of materialsin the field of sustainable construction, starts from some important bases that always lead back to the need to impact the planet as little as possible. Generally speaking, priority is given to those of recovery. But there is also access to the list of natural renewable ones, provided that they are abundant on the planet.
The reconditioned or regenerated is not thrown away, but is used in the best architectural projects, with a special attention to materials considered non-toxic. That is, elements that do not contain substances that can interact negatively with human health, such as paints with lead and chromium.
In general, in green building, all components with a low content of volatile organic compounds are rewarded, in addition to the aforementioned materials low in heavy metals. The goal is in fact not only to build or renovate a house in harmony with nature, but also and above all a safe nest for its inhabitants.
But since energy efficiency is also part of green building, these materials must also guarantee savings in terms of water and energy. In fact, as mentioned, we try to use elements that favor the protection of existing resources, improving gas, electricity and water consumption.
Green building: the most innovative materials
If recycled, regenerated and Km0 are preferred to materials that do not fall into these categories, the green builder’s list also includes innovative elements. In fact, there are materials that are an integral part of modern green building. Their duration over time is long, their production has little impact, and their yield is optimal.
Flexible concrete
We can also find it under the name of engineered cement composite, or ECC, but whatever you call it, flexible concrete has characteristics that make it an excellent material. Unlike normal concrete, which is fragile by nature, flexible concrete is five hundred times more resistant to cracking and is also more effective at absorbing shock.
The difference is made by the infusion of carbon dioxide, which strengthens the concrete using less cement and reducing carbon emissions. The ductility of ECC also reduces the financial and environmental costs of buildings, unlike traditional concrete, which often breaks and requires periodic repairs.
The bamboo
Another sustainable alternative to conventional building materials is bamboo, a flexible material that allows builders to use it for both structural and decorative purposes. It is a readily available resource that is abundant on our planet, meaning there is no risk of depletion.
Bamboo also produces very little waste, as an entire stalk of a bamboo tree can be used in construction and all the waste is compostable. This means no global landfill burden for this type of resource.
The mushrooms
If we say mycelium, we can imagine everything except that mushrooms can be used for building projects. But when combined with materials such as wood, sawdust and demolition waste, mycelium can be shaped into bricks, solid and useful for sustainable building projects.
Mycelium is not yet used on a large scale, but there are some notable examples. In 2014, an organic brick structure known as Hy-Fi was built in Queens, New York. The building was part of MoMA’s Young Architects program and used organic, biodegradable bricks made of this material.
3D printed concrete
3D printing can have a significant impact on the productivity and sustainability of construction. 3D printing of concrete allows you to digitally design any shape and transform it into a real object.
Unlike traditional construction, which consumes a lot of energy due to the transportation of materials and the complexities of the supply chain, 3D printing allows builders to design and build faster, saving time, money and energy. And it produces minimal waste, too.
Sources
Source: www.greenstyle.it
