What is Sustainable Building Design?

Over the years, the construction industry has changed significantly. 

These days, there is, rightly, a greater focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices and ensuring those within the industry are doing their best to protect the world around them. 

If you work for a commercial organisation that works on large-scale projects or are simply embarking on a spot of DIY, it is important to ensure that you are working in a way that has a minimal impact on the planet. 

This enhanced focus on being sustainable has sparked a new movement known as sustainable building design.

But what is sustainable building design? 

In this article, the team here at IKT Consulting will take a closer look at sustainable building design, explaining what it means and how it works.

Read on to learn more. 

What Is Sustainable Building Design?

Sustainable building design refers to construction practices that use environmentally responsible, resource-efficient and sustainable methods. The purpose of these building practices is to ensure that the construction process takes place in the most responsible and environmentally friendly way possible, and creates a structure that is healthy for people to work or reside in. 

All elements of the building process are incorporated, including the design, construction, operation, maintenance and, where necessary, demolition. The overall goal of a sustainable building design is to minimise a project’s carbon footprint while enhancing the well-being of the surrounding area. 

Often, green energy methods, such as the use of renewable energy, will be incorporated into such projects. 

The practice of sustainable building design is constantly evolving, and as our understanding of how we can better reduce our reliance on finite resources and utilise more sustainable products, it is set to grow even more in the future. 

Why Is Sustainable Building Design Important? 

In recent years, individuals, companies and governments have become more aware of climate change and its impact on the world. Whether it is soaring temperatures or freak weather events, the effects are now almost impossible to deny, and this has led to people looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly in all aspects of life. 

According to statistics from the UK Green Building Council, around 10% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are directly associated with the construction industry. And this rises to a staggering 45% when you also consider the entirety of the built environment sector. 

Clearly, this shows that the industry has a lot of work to do to become more sustainable, and sustainable building design is one way of combating this.

As well as the construction process itself, an existing building’s carbon footprint is also impacted by energy efficiency. For example, heating represents 10% of the UK’s carbon footprint with domestic properties contributing to most of this. Therefore, a sustainable building design may also factor in more efficient systems that can be used once a structure has been built, and which can enhance sustainability. 

Another reason why sustainable building design is so important is because the Earth only has finite resources. It is perhaps no surprise that the construction industry has used lots of natural resources over the years, but these numbers are now dwindling. Therefore, using a sustainable building design can help preserve such resources and ensure the planet is protected long into the future.  

What Are The Main Principles of Sustainable Building Design?

As previously mentioned, sustainable building design is constantly evolving and over the years the process has changed significantly. 

Now, there are a few key principles of sustainable building design that need to be considered during a project to ensure it is as environmentally friendly as possible.

This includes:

Optimising site potential 

The very first step of any sustainable building design is selecting the site where the work is going to take place. Usually, this will involve thoroughly researching the environment and surrounding areas, taking into consideration the location, landscape and local ecosystems. 

People will then need to consider what impact construction would have on the area and if local wildlife would be adversely impacted.

To comply with a sustainable building design, a site should look to reduce, control or treat stormwater runoff, enhance the natural habitat and support the landscape without having a negative effect. 

Using native plants and landscaping techniques that require minimal water are things that can be considered when choosing a site.  

Optimising energy use 

The energy that the site uses during the construction should also be as efficient as possible. The project should always look for ways to reduce its energy load and if possible, maximise the use of renewable energy. 

More and more projects are now operating at a net-zero level, utilising natural resources such as sunlight or wind and reducing the need for artificial light, heating and cooling. 

Protecting and conserving water 

Water should always be used efficiently if it is required during a project. 

If water is needed, wherever possible, try to reuse or recycle it. This can be achieved by harvesting rainwater or reusing water from other appliances.  

Furthermore, installing water-efficient plumbing fixtures, like low-flow toilets, taps and showerheads, can help the structure to be more efficient in this area once the construction has been completed.  

Material selection 

Using materials that have been recycled, reclaimed or locally sourced can help to reduce their environmental impact. For example, reclaimed woods and recycled metals. 

It is also important to choose materials that do not emit harmful chemicals (like some paints or adhesives) to ensure improved air quality and avoid negatively impacting the surrounding environment. 

Also, choosing materials that are durable and offer great longevity can reduce the need for frequent replacements – making it more sustainable. 

Indoor environmental quality 

It’s also important to consider the environmental quality within a property or structure. A sustainable building design will help to maximise sunlight, incorporate appropriate ventilation and moisture controls and ensure there is proper air circulation. 

The use of low-emission materials can also assist, and as well as being more environmentally friendly, these considerations can also promote better health and well-being for occupants of the building. 

At IKT Consulting, we regularly work alongside homeowners, landlords, architects, contractors, developers and more, providing leading commercial structural engineering services. As part of our offering, our experts can advise on sustainable building designs and practices. For more information, contact our team today.