Green building

How to shape the future of construction?

The concept of green and sustainable building is not new, but has never been more important. In fact, the construction sector is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and buildings are responsible for much of the world’s energy waste. What is the definition of green building? And what are potential solutions to achieve sustainable construction?

01. Benefits

Green building Benefits

Sustainable construction aims at reaching a high level of performance in terms of the environmental, economic and societal impacts of the concerned buildings:

  • Environmental: as the priority is given to local, renewable, bio-sourced and recyclable materials, and the design is based on the use of renewable energies (geothermal, aerothermal, solar, wood) and the preservation of resources (energy and water efficiency, better insulation), the first advantage of sustainable building is the protection of the environment.
  • Economic: according to a World Green Building Council report, savings in a sustainable building can be very significant: from 25 to 35% energy savings, and up to 39% water savings compared to a conventional building. Besides, green building boosts the real estate market and allows to reduce operating costs.
  • Social: green buildings help improve the quality of life, by enhancing occupants’ health, well-being and comfort (thermal and acoustic insulation, better energy and lighting management). Moreover, it minimizes strain on local infrastructure.

02. Definition

What is a green building?

Green building, also called sustainable building or green construction, is the concept of creating structures and processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.

Its main goals are to preserve resources like raw materials, energy and water, fight against global warming (greenhouse gases emission), minimize waste and other pollutions, and maximise the whole life-cycle performance. Sustainable building also aims to bring comfort and health to occupants by the use of materials of high sanitary and environmental quality, both for the actual construction and for the insulation.

Fundamental principles are linked to green building:

  • Minimize resource consumption (energy and water efficiency)
  • Maximize resource reuse
  • Use renewable or recyclable resources
  • Protect the natural environment
  • Create a healthy, non-toxic environment

03. Impacts

Green building technologies

The philosophy of sustainable architecture is embodied in various practices that aim to reduce the negative impact of a building on its environment and to take care of the quality of life of users and neighboring communities.

Its implementation is manifested by a set of choices of techniques, management methods, materials and the internal organization of functions and spaces, in order to control the energy consumption and the living environment of users.

Sustainable construction technologies used in green construction include:

  • Biodegradable materials
  • Solar power for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
  • Green insulation and lighting, smart appliances, cool roofs
  • Sustainable resource sourcing
  • Low-energy house and zero-energy building design
  • Water efficiency technologies
  • Electrochromic smart glass
  • Self-powered buildings

05. Implementations

Green building solutions implementations

FNX MODULES by Snam Groupe implemented by Snam Group in Aubin (France) in 2019

Urban Heat Vulnerability Map by ECOTEN urban comfort implemented by City of Vienna in Vienna (Austria) in 2019

Urban Heat Vulnerability Map by ECOTEN urban comfort implemented by International Portal of Prague in Prague (Czechia) in 2020

H-UKR by Hoffmann Green Cements implemented by Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Martillac (France) in 2024

SuRelease™ concrete coating by Nanophyll Inc. implemented by Synergy Inc. in Montreal (Canada) in 2022

Sustainable Building Materials by WAS Company implemented by VyACI in Chihuahua (Mexico) in 2022

Sustainable Building Materials by WAS Company implemented by Veolia in Galeana (Mexico) in 2024

Wall E+ by Caerostris implemented by Solutions Composite in Tours (France) in 2019

3D Printing Construction by Holcim implemented by 14Trees in Lilongwe (Malawi) in 2020

3D Printing Construction by Holcim implemented by Malawi in Salima district (Malawi) in 2021

ReWood by Burnt Wood implemented by City of Horsens in Horsens (Denmark) in 2020

ORIS by ORIS implemented by Aggregate Industries in Carlisle (United Kingdom) in 2021

ORIS by ORIS implemented by Asian Development Bank in Turtkul (Uzbekistan) in 2022

Vestack modules by Vestack implemented by Vilogia Group in Wattrelos (France) in 2023

DRAMIX® by Bekaert implemented by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) in Gotthard (Switzerland) in 2016

DRAMIX® by Bekaert implemented by Société du Grand Paris / Eiffage in Paris (France) in 2020

06. Challenges

Green building challenges

  1. High costs: the higher initial design and construction costs are considered as hurdles for green building projects, even though they are profitable in the long term. This is actually the top challenge to realizing high-performance buildings.
  2. Lack of public awareness / political support: lack of public awareness is still among the main obstacles in developing the green building market, especially in emerging countries. Little political support can be another challenge for the development of green building and sustainable cities.

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pauline.michiels@solarimpulse.com