What is an example of a sustainable building?
Bullitt Center is the greenest commercial building in the world and its main feature is incorporating all the sustainable features a building can have: net-zero energy, net-zero water, net-zero carbon, composting toilets, toxic-free materials, an enticing stairway, and 80% daylighting using high-performance windows.
Sustainable building is meeting the needs of the present without harming the needs of the next generation. It is important because it will allow future generations to build off of the present things.
Building Sustainability Assessment Methods
BRE's assessment method/rating tool (still used today), is called BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). It focuses on sustainable value across a range of categories including land use, ecology, energy, pollution, health/wellbeing and more.
Some of these methods include: Limiting the materials used to reduce waste. Controlling waste management, such as separating and recycling waste. Constructing green buildings.
- Think twice before shopping.
- Make sure your big purchases have big environmental benefits.
- Go #PlasticFree.
- Boycott products that endanger wildlife.
- Pay attention to labels.
- Be water wise.
- Drive less, drive green.
- Green your home.
Timber is often considered to be the most sustainable building material within the construction industry. With a low embodied carbon footprint, it can be used to maximise a project's green credentials. However, what do we actually mean by sustainable building design?
A green or sustainable building is a building that, because of its construction and features, can maintain or improve the quality of life of the environment in which it is located.
Among other attributes, a sustainable building maximizes daylighting, has appropriate ventilation and moisture control, optimizes acoustic performance, and avoids the use of materials with high-Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions.
Not only does sustainable construction mean improved health for the people who use the buildings, it also has been shown to improve workers productivity during construction thanks to better surroundings, work environments, and noise protection.
A green building has four main elements or components on which it is designed: materials, energy, water and health to make green building more sustainable.
What are the three main principles of sustainable construction?
Energy-efficient build methods/design
Insulation. Air Quality. Temperature (heating and cooling)
- Buy from sustainable brands. Many of us are already making a conscious effort to buy better in order to reduce our carbon footprint. ...
- Support local sustainability charities and initiatives. ...
- Use less energy in the home. ...
- Recycle more. ...
- Part ways with single-use plastic.

- CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all. ...
- AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. ...
- INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE. ...
- SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES. ...
- CLIMATE ACTION.
- Drive less.
- Recycle. ...
- Sell and donate unwanted items. ...
- Reduce energy usage. ...
- Go paperless. ...
- Eat less meat. ...
- Grow your own produce. ...
- Save water. Cutting down on water usage not only reduces your affect on the environment but also saves you money. ...
Sustainable Development Methodology
These may include air pollution reduction, job creation, improved health, access to energy, poverty reduction, protection of ecosystems, and more.
- Recycled Steel. Utilises steel already in existence for structural use in a home. ...
- Bamboo. Bamboo is increasing in popularity as a building material. ...
- Sheep's Wool. ...
- Straw Bales. ...
- Precast Concrete. ...
- Earth. ...
- Plant-Based Polyurethane Rigid Foam.
It's renewable.
Unlike many building materials (steel, for instance), wood does not deplete the earth of its natural resources. Because it's a resource that more or less stands on its own, it can be grown and harvested over and over again.
- Use enough insulation - most buildings are built with too little. ...
- Design in airtightness - build tight ventilate right is the mantra. ...
- Use the buildings thermal mass to best effect. ...
- Make the best use of natural light. ...
- Choose green and sustainable materials.
Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy. Efficient use of water– such as harvesting rainwater for irrigation. Pollution and waste reduction measures that enable re-use and recycling. Good indoor environmental air quality.
- Makes Use of Brownfield Sites or Existing Buildings. ...
- Minimises Pollution from Harmful Ground Gases. ...
- Maximises Durability and Replacement Intervals. ...
- Creates Local Employment.
What are the 5 factors of sustainability?
Community Wealth Partners recommends that nonprofit organizations consider how they are performing across five key drivers of sustainability: social impact, focused business strategy, economic viability, adaptability, and capacity to deliver.
The term sustainability is broadly used to indicate programs, initiatives and actions aimed at the preservation of a particular resource. However, it actually refers to four distinct areas: human, social, economic and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability.
1. Shanghai Tower, China. Shanghai Tower is Shell Platinum and LEED Core certified. It is the world's second-tallest building and was built using locally sourced materials, including recycled materials.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to transform our world. They are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity.
In any community in which economic activities are carried out in a specific environment, we find three interconnected forms of sustainability: environmental, economic and social.
The figure at the top of this page suggests that there are three pillars of sustainability – economic viability, environmental protection and social equity.
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
In practice, building sustainability means living in harmony with the natural environment, considering the social, environmental and economic aspects of decisions, and reducing our footprint through a less energy, water and material intensive lifestyle.