A sustainable building should have less of an environmental impact while remaining economical. Sustainable construction is a modern concept that deals with reducing the environmental impact of projects and intelligently using resources. They are highly valued by the market and a trend that is here to stay.

What is sustainable construction?

Sustainable construction involves designing works that consider their impact on the environment. The main goal is to reduce the impact on nature through the actions taken and materials used. These impacts must be considered before, during, and after construction in a holistic project that seeks a balance between the environment and the building process. By reducing negative impacts and creating positive ones, sustainable real estate companies in India are leading the way in promoting eco-friendly development and responsible building practices.

Why is sustainable building important?

Sustainable construction is a relatively recent trend. Climate change and the demands of new consumers require construction companies to adopt new policies in their projects. This type of construction is part of the evolution of the Civil Construction market. It represents social and environmental responsibility and sustainable enterprises from planning to occupation. Sustainable projects also reduce waste and generate savings through the intelligent use of resources, labor management, and cutbacks on excess, in addition to generating added value for final consumer who are more demanding concerning issues of sustainability and social impact.

What are the bases of sustainable construction?

To classify a sustainable construction project as such, it must have some characteristics throughout its process. Check out the main ones below.

Intelligent architecture

The architectural project considers factors related to the natural environment when developing construction plans. In addition to current intended characteristics, of the possibility of future changes to the place need to be considered, so that the building remains functional without negative impacts.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency means using clean, low-impact sources, such as efficient heating and photovoltaic panels.Energy consumption is an important factor in construction projects, as it impacts the amount of maintenance for the building and the costs for the end customer.

Water management

Sustainable construction must also employ good water management, which is a critical point in the project. In addition to rationing systems and properly using water, it is worth considering systems that reuse water captured from rain.

Use of materials

Materials management is an indispensable pillar of sustainable construction. Buildings that use environmentally friendly resources will have less of an environmental impact over the years - and not just during their development.

Sustainable materials

If you just associate sustainable materials with recycled items such as reused pet bottles, we’ve listed some ecological examples with excellent results in construction below.

• Clay mortar: Used to lay blocks and prepare walls for cladding, clay mortar has great thermal and acoustic performance and can provide improved moisture resistance.
• Inverter air conditioning: Yes! Air conditioning is known for running up the bill and polluting the air. Inverter air conditioning uses modern technology, is more economic, and minimizes environmental impact.
• Bio-concrete: Composed of bacteria, bioconcrete has self-sealing regeneration abilities, which reduces cracks and related problems.
• Eco-granite: Material made from marble and granite extraction waste mixed with acrylic resin, eco-granite is flexible, with several applications.
• Replast: interlocking bricks produced from the compression of different types of plastic.

Waste control

Finally, good control over waste is essential. Management must be guided by national policies and initiatives to reduce the amount of waste in landfills.

How can you certify a sustainable building?

Sustainable construction is a necessity in the contemporary world and a trend among consumers.There are currently several sustainability certifications in construction ensuring that projects have a low environmental impact, which adds to their value. Here are the two of the most used certifications available in several countries:

HQE Certification | High Environmental Quality

HQE is an internationally offered certification with the objective of identifying high environmental quality projects through face-to-face audits, which evaluate:

• the impact of the construction site
• Pollution index and waste generation
• Intelligent use of materials, with preservation of resources
• Clean energy sources
• Comfort and well-being for users and employees

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

LEED is a certification offered by the Green Building Council focusing on the sustainability of the construction, design, and operation of buildings. The system is used in 143 countries and evaluates seven categories.

• Sustainability of the space
• Efficient use of water
• Energy and atmosphere
• Use of resources and materials
• Quality of the internal environment
• Process innovation
• Regional priority credit

What are the current trends in sustainable construction?

This is an industry that is constantly innovating. We’ve listed the main trends in sustainable construction that are worth keeping an eye on.

• Zero Energy, or a preference for natural light and energy autonomy.
• Automated buildings, which use technology to identify faults and ensure more resource savings.
• Green retrofit, which proposes sustainable improvements to existing buildings.
• Green roofs or vertical gardens as a solution to improve the building's climate.
• Rainwater reuse and sustainable sewage treatment systems.
• Systemic projects with a 360º view of work.
• Culture of sustainability stemming from the training of new professionals.
• Adoption of intelligent materials and processes.

How can you manage all the processes that sustainable construction requires?

Sustainable construction implies a need for new processes, which need to be efficiently managed and organized. Construction companies must define stricter criteria to raise the quality of building projects, train professionals for this new age, and update business practices based on industry legislation.

In addition, it’s worth implementing management software to assist in end-to-end control with automated processes and intelligent data analysis.