The Future of Sustainable Construction and Green Building

Statistics show that our current construction methods are not sustainable, and the construction and building industries are responsible for roughly half of the UK’s carbon footprint. Construction also contributes around 50% of all waste sent to landfill, so what can we do to tackle the issue?

Sustainable construction and green building methods have become more prevalent in recent years, as construction companies make a conscious effort to lower their carbon footprint and do their bit for the planet. The future of sustainable construction and green building is looking exciting, as more building techniques and materials emerge to combat the challenges facing our planet. If you want to know more about what to expect from the future of sustainable construction, read on to discover some of the latest green building materials and sustainable building techniques.



Bioluminescent lighting

Bioluminescence refers to the production and emission of light by a living organism. You can see examples of this phenomenon in some marine creatures and insects like fireflies, but what if this method of producing light could be harnessed in other ways? Researchers in Denmark have been attempting to isolate the genes which make bioluminescent algae glow, with the aim to create natural streetlights.

The researchers believe that the genes could be modified slightly and added to trees to provide a natural glowing light source instead of electricity-powered street lamps. Some cities like Los Angeles have already switched to more energy-efficient LED street lamps, but the lights still produce a significant amount of emissions. The project is still a long way off from becoming a workable alternative but who knows - maybe one day we will see glowing trees on our streets.

Earth building

This eco-friendly method of building was still common across northern Europe in the early 19th century and some architects think it’s time it made a comeback. There are several different types of earth building techniques and they’re all far more sustainable than traditional construction methods. Raw earth has a 40th of the carbon footprint compared to concrete and it’s also infinitely recyclable.

One of the most basic forms of earth construction is known as cob building and it’s one of the oldest building methods around. It involves mixing stiff mud with straw to form crude bricks which are placed on top of each other and sealed with more mud. A more contemporary method is rammed earth, where a damp earth mixture is layered between metal or wooden shutters and compacted. The process can be completed mechanically now and is a popular method amongst contemporary architects.

Air cleaning materials

It might sound like something from science fiction, but air cleaning materials use technology and natural elements to break down harmful pollutants in the air. Air cleaning materials often come in the form of paint or concrete and they effectively turn pollutants into a harmless substance.

Nanoscale titanium dioxide is one method used to create air cleaning materials and it involves adding titanium dioxide to ingredients used in paint, concrete or roof panels. These products then use UV light, water and the titanium dioxide to break down harmful pollutants as they hit the surface. These harmless by-products are then washed away naturally by the rain or other water sources.

Another method uses a photocatalytic cement known as TX Active. This product can be mixed into concrete for exterior paving stones or walls to help remove pollutants from the air. Like titanium dioxide, TX Active is also activated by UV light, which works to break down dirt, mould, algae and other pollutants. TX Active is often applied as a final outer layer on top of existing concrete, as the material is much more expensive.

Microgrids

Microgrids are small electrical grid systems that can function entirely self sufficiently and separately to the larger public grid. They’re often found in universities, military bases or other government compounds, but some experts believe they could grow in popularity in the next few years. One of the major advantages of microgrids is that they can exchange power between connected buildings as needed, or store energy for future use.

Microgrids need to be able to generate and store their own power to function efficiently and separately from the national grid. The growth of affordable green energy technologies like solar and wind power mean that microgrids are becoming more accessible for a greater number of institutions. Microgrids provide green, low cost energy, reduce grid congestion and reduce a company or institutions overall carbon footprint.

Net-zero buildings

Net zero buildings are classified as those which generate as much energy as they consume. They’re also highly energy efficient and powered by renewable energy sources like solar power. The UK has set a target to be net zero by 2050, so more net zero buildings will be a major contributor to achieving this.

Net zero buildings use passive systems to heat and cool the space and to reduce reliance on traditional HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems. Traditional HVAC systems consume a lot of energy but net zero buildings look at renewable, natural and sustainable methods to regulate the building’s temperature. Elements of net zero buildings include green roofs, solar panels, ground heat pumps, highly energy efficient windows (such as triple glazing) and areas of concrete or stone to absorb and store heat during the day.

Smart glass

Smart glass can adjust its tint from transparent to translucent and vice versa, in order to keep the interior of a building cool. Smart glass can be powered by electricity (electrochromic) or heat (thermochromic).

Electrochromic glass contains a film which changes colour in response to an electrical charge. Once the glass has reached the required tint, no further electrical charge is required to ensure the process stays as energy efficient as possible. Thermochromic glass changes tint as a response to changes in temperature, which helps to reduce a building’s heating and cooling costs. This type of smart glass automatically provides more tinting if direct sunlight is hitting the window and becomes transparent again when the glass has cooled.

Water efficiency

Water efficiency (including conservation) is a key component of green building. Water efficiency measures ensure that a building is energy efficient and environmentally friendly, with less water waste and reduced energy consumption. We may take fresh water for granted here in the UK, but it’s a precious resource that’s scarce in many parts of the world. If we want to build a more sustainable future, we’re likely to see many more buildings with water efficient technologies in place.

Water efficient technologies include rainwater harvesting, recycling and reusing greywater (waste water from baths, sinks and washing machines), low-flow fixtures and sensors.

Recycled aggregates in Dumbarton and Glasgow - From W M Thompson & Son

If you’re looking for sustainable building materials for your next project, choose recycled aggregates from W M Thompson & Son. We’re proud to offer a range of recycled aggregates including reclaimed stone, crushed concrete, asphalt and grave,l and all materials are subject to our rigorous quality control procedures. Sustainability is very important to us and we aim to be leaders in green construction and sustainable development.

W M Thompson & Son works closely with bodies including S.E.P.A. (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) and Historic Scotland to ensure that all of our practices are as environmentally friendly as possible. For more information about our recycled aggregates or environmentally conscious waste management, give us a call today or get in contact via our website.