UNIT- I

Green Building
Definitions-
Robert and Brenda Vale say:
“that a green approach to the built environment involves a holistic approach to the design of
buildings; that all the resources that go into a building, be they materials, fuels or the contribution
of the users need to be considered if a sustainable architecture is to be produced.

Sim Van Der Ryn and Stuart Cowan tell us we must

“infuse the design of products, buildings and landscapes with a rich and detailed understanding
of ecology.

Green buildings can be defined as “healthy facilities designed and built in a resource-efficient
manner, using ecologically based principles.”

Green” Buildings are high performance structures that also meet certain standards for reducing
natural resource consumption

Housing for Humans: Shelters from past to future

Stone Age
In the earliest prehistoric era, before Man knew how to build shelters, they made use of the
natural environment to provide them with shelter. The earliest forms of shelter were those in trees,
where it would provide minimal protection against the searing heat of the sun and the cold of the
rain. Also, trees protected Man against animals that could not climb up the trees. Another natural
form of shelter was the cave, which provided greater protection against inclement weather, though
offering less protection against wild animals.
The first man-made shelter was believed to have been made out of stones and tree branches.
The stones were placed at the base of the structure to hold the branches in place. Man slowly
learned the make simple tools that would allow them to build better structures, and later on these
structures gradually evolved in shape and form. Other materials such as huge stone slabs, bones,
and even animal hide were used to built the structures, which then provided much more stability,
security and comfort. Eventually, earth was taken from the ground and dried in the sun to form
clay blocks, leading to the usage of bricks as the basic building block of shelters.

Ancient Civilizations
The ancient Egyptians started building flat-topped houses made out of sun-dried bricks
around 3100BC. The domestic dwellings of elite and ordinary Egyptians were constructed using
perishable materials such as clay bricks and wood. Peasants lived in simple homes, while the
palaces of the elite were more elaborate structures. Famous structures such as the pyramids and
temples were built to emphasise the control and power of the Pharaoh.
The idea of sun-dried bricks was improved upon by the Assyrians almost 600 years later,
when they discovered that baking bricks in fire made them harder and more durable. They also
started glazing bricks to strengthen them and improve their imperviousness to water, which was
useful in times of storms.
The ancient Greeks lived in well-made stone houses with slanted roofs that let snow and
rain slide off. Most of the walls in Greek structures were built using sun-dried clay bricks or
wooden framework filled with fibrous material such as straw or seaweed covered with clay or
plaster. In addition to building houses, the Greeks built other forms of shelter such as temples and
public buildings, which were dignified and gracious structures built to emphasise the cultural and
economic prosperity of their society. Open-air theatres meant for public gatherings as well as
cultural performances were also built, with some still standing today.
The Romans improved upon the techniques of the Greeks, and introduced the concept of
central heating to tide them thru cold weather. They laid rows of earthenware pipes under the roofs
and floors and ran hot water or air through them to heat. Most houses were built around atriums,
or a central court, with rooms off the court.
Early Modern Period
The Early Modern Period encompasses the late Renaissance period as well as the Early
Industrial Age. Many technological innovations took place in this period, some of which formed
the foundation for building shelters in the modern day. Glass was used extensively in this period,
and altered the facade and window construction details considerably. This technique was used
mostly in the building of grand public structures. Construction in the Renaissance period also
focused much on the design and architecture of the building, rather than the materials used for the
construction process. This was largely due to the increased appreciation of aesthetics and design,
as well as the emancipation of various other art forms, leading to widespread cultural reforms.
The advent of the Early Industrial Period brought about mass production using existing
technological processes, as well as an increase in the innovation of technology. The rate of building
of shelters increased exponentially following the widespread use of the steam engine, and this
allowed iron to be made easily at a large scale. Many different forms could be mass produced in
factories, and iron beams soon became the standard support for an entire structure.
Brick was also mass produced in factories by the use of kilns, instead of having to resort
to the ancient method of leaving it in the sun to be dried. Thus, the costs of bricks was reduced and
led to their extensive use in buildings. The advent of steam and water powered sawmills also
allowed wood to be manufactured in a standard size at large scale. Cheap machine-made nails were
also available, and the combination of these two materials provided for a quick and cheap form of
shelter in the form of balloon framing (a method of wood construction). The low cost and ease of
construction made balloon framing highly attractive, as people no longer requirely highly-skilled
carpenters and could build their own buildings without a time-consuming learning curve. This was
the answer to America's problem of mass immigration at that time.
Why green buildings and how much benefit?
There is no lack of studies investigating the costs and benefits associated with green
building developments. The main purpose of these studies is to justify the value of going green
which will assist decision making process. It is even more valuable under the context of Global
Financial Crisis where client shave comparatively smaller finance capacity and financial
institutions are more conservative in terms of lending decision. In essence, these studies focus on
pros and cons of green building developments compared to conventional buildings. A common
approach adopted in existing studies is to compare the characteristics of green buildings to those
of conventional buildings such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental
quality, thermal comfort, health and productivity.

Impacts of building construction, operation and disposal

Green building may seem like a trendy way to be “environmentally friendly.” But it’s actually
an important factor in lowering the negative impact we have on the environment. And green
building doesn’t just have a big effect on the environment – it’s also beneficial to the people
working within the building as well. Not to mention the impact it has on lowering overhead costs!
But before going into the benefits of green building, it’s important to understand how buildings
have traditionally hurt the environment and how they have contributed to climate change over the
years.
How Building Construction Affects the Environment-
It’s not just the methods and materials used to construct a building that affects the environment.
How it’s built to operate has a huge impact as well.
For example, using non-sustainable materials in the construction of the building has a temporary
negative effect. The use of a non-efficient HVAC system will have a negative effect on the
environment that’s long-term. The following are some of the major ways that building construction
can hurt the environment, both in the short- and long-term:

Energy Use
Believe it or not, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), buildings account for
an average of 41% of the world’s energy use. The two other biggest energy consumers don’t even
come close. The industrial sector accounts for 30% while transportation accounts for 29%. Part of
this is due to the huge amount of electricity that buildings tend to use. In the United States,
buildings are responsible for 73% of the country’s electricity consumption.
So what is it that’s taking up so much energy? Well, it’s many things. A building’s lighting system,
heating and cooling system and outlet use all contribute.

Impact on the Air

American building construction is responsible for a huge percentage of the greenhouse gas
emissions that have been affecting climate change. In fact, the buildings are responsible for 38%
of all CO2 emissions.
Water Use
Buildings are responsible for not just a large percentage of the world’s water use, but a large
percentage of wasted water as well. It’s estimated that buildings use 13.6% of all potable water,
which is roughly 15 trillion gallons of water per year.

Construction Materials
The materials used in building construction also have a serious impact on the environment. First
of all, many of the materials used in the construction of buildings are produced in a non-sustainable
way. The factories that make the materials produce damaging CO2 emissions.
Then there’s the issue of transportation. Materials that are not produced locally are often shipped
from across the country or even from overseas. The transportation required for shipping these
materials has a considerable impact on air quality.
There is a huge environmental impact associated with the extraction and consumption of raw
materials for the use of building materials. Not to mention the actual production of those materials
in their final form. According to the USGBC, 40% of the world’s raw materials are used in the
construction of buildings.

Waste From Building Construction and Demolition

The destruction and renovation of buildings result in a large amount of waste. Building waste often
includes concrete, metals, glass, plastics, wood, asphalt, bricks and more. This waste is often
disposed of in either landfills or incinerators. Not only does this pollute the land and the air, but
the transportation required to remove such waste has a major impact on the environment as well.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there were already over 170 million tons of
debris generated in the construction and demolition of buildings in the U.S. alone in 2003. 61
percent of which were produced by nonresidential buildings.

Benefits of green building

The numerous benefits that green building holds, is a further justification for going green. These
include the following:
1.Environmental benefits
The most important benefit of green building is that which it offers to our environment. It
positively influences our climate and overall ecosystem by reducing water use and energy sources
that pollute our environment, such as coal and carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere.
Green building not only decreases water wastage, but preserves natural resources, defends
biodiversity and enhances our air and water quality. Green building also reduces your carbon
footprint by producing less waste and decreasing the amount of toxic gases set free into the air. In
this way, the pace of climate change is slowed down, and a positive contribution to saving our
environment is made.
2.Cost efficiency and economic benefits
Saving the environment actually saves you money. It provides you with several economic and cost
effective benefits. These include decreased operating costs, enhanced occupant efficiency and
savings on tenant utility bills. Moreover, it enhances your return on assets and profits due to your
savings in operating costs. Lastly properties that are green built, require lower maintenance costs
as they are built from sustainable components which in turn adds value to the property.
3.Health benefits
Going green means building away bad toxins and having the ability to breathe in fresh, clean air.
Having a good indoor environment protects the tenant’s health and enhances their quality of life
by avoiding serious illnesses induced by the inhalation of toxic substances. An improved indoor
quality not only safeguards your life, but it can also strengthen employee productivity. Employees
working in clean and green built properties tend to have better concentration and focus capabilities,
improving their work performance.
It is important to know that going green does not entail a compromise of your current lifestyle or
comfort. The advantages of green building extend far beyond finances and the ecosystem; it
benefits people on a social level. People are healthier and enjoy an improved quality of life.
Employees are more productive as they work in a cleaner and better working environment. Finally,
the cycle concludes as the increased productivity leads to a better economy.