The Importance Of Sustainability in Building Design and Construction

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword. It’s a call to action in the interior design community, and it affects all of our decisions. While it’s easy to make changes when it comes to our diet and the things we use in our home, what about the damage from our homes and buildings? Design and construction go hand-in-hand, so what do they contribute to sustainability efforts, if anything.

 Believe it or not, buildings themselves account for just about half of the world’s energy expenditures and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. This comes as no surprise since, as populations rise, we’re constantly creating more and more buildings, many of which require advanced materials.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at sustainable strategies used in building design and construction. We’ll uncover a new world of sustainable architecture that’s taking the world by storm.

The Effect of Design and Construction

First, let’s take a look at the ways in which design, interior trends, and construction all affect the environment. Aside from the statistics mentioned above, the United States is facing a crisis when it comes to buildings and design.

By the numbers:

●      30% of landfill waste comes from buildings and construction

●      39% of total energy use comes from buildings

●      69% of total electricity consumption comes from buildings

If this shows us anything, it’s that we need to change and we need to change quickly. Using sustainable architecture, also sometimes called “green building” will lead to less waste, the conservation of natural resources, and fewer energy emissions.

The same goes for interior design. The design might be a way to show off your style, but every piece comes with its own history of material waste and emissions. In a world full of “fast furniture” that’s intended to be thrown away in a few years as trends come and go, we’re rapidly moving into a world filled with more waste. Luckily, forces for change do exist and we can make a difference together.

Sustainable Building Materials

One of the biggest changes we’re seeing is the rise of new sustainable materials. One of these is 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. While we probably won’t be printing full-sized buildings anymore, additive manufacturing makes the production process more affordable and less wasteful for both interior design and construction. With new tooling processes, we’re likely to see this become the new normal in the near future.

Greener Buildings

There are a number of green building programs that help everyday people and companies achieve a greener tomorrow. One of the easiest ways to assess how “green” your own home or building is today is to use the Green Gauge with Home Energy assessment tool. This helps you find more ways to adapt your home to the environment.

Homes and buildings today are being built with energy in mind. From solar panels to double-paned windows, it’s all about making smarter choices. Green buildings don’t need to be created from scratch either. There are a number of ways to transform an existing property into a green building.

Creating Design and Buildings for the Future

It might sound like something from a sci-fi novel, but green homes and buildings are quickly becoming the new normal. Buildings and interior design account for a massive amount of worldwide energy usage. It’s up to sustainable architects and designers to step up and fight for change.

Do you know of any green homes or buildings? How can you lessen the damage to your own home with small changes? These things add up to a big difference.