Environmental Friendly Construction Principles:

Introduction Green construction is often misinterpreted by people as the definition is often confused and what its core activity entails. The definitions of Green construction may range from a building that is constructed in an average manner but the commonly accepted definition says that green construction is a building that is constructed in the healthiest possible way in order to preserve its surrounding environment. It is important that the building is built in such a manner that it has the least disruptive use of land, water, energy and resources. . (Green,D 2008: Online)

Principles behind Green Construction: In todays construction industry, green Construction cost more than the conventional building techniques. This argument is true to a certain extent as certain green materials and techniques do cost more than the traditional materials and techniques, it basically comes down to knowing what techniques and materials to use that are green and cheaper and applying them in such a way that in the long term the cost implications of going green become cheaper than the traditional techniques. (Carter, 2009: Online) An earlier version of Green Building principles defined four principles which are: Energy efficiency Durability Indoor Environmental Quality Resource efficiency

These key principles formed the crux of how Green construction should be handled. (Sevile, 2009: Online) Michael Anschel argues that Green Building principles are centered on 5 key concepts namely, energy efficiency, water efficiency, suitable site design, conservation of materials and resources and indoor environmental Quality.

Figure 1: Graph showing the 5 key concepts of Green Building Principles. (Source: GBC, 2009)

1. Sustainable Site Design:

When it comes to ensuring a sustainable site design, it is important that the key focus is based on minimizing urban sprawl and the unnecessary destruction of valuable land and green open spaces. To ensure such a design is achieved it is important to encourage higher density urban development, renewal and the re-development of Brownfield sites. The way you design the site also plays a vital role in achieving the green objectives of a building in that you have to ensure that you implement

processes that mininmise site disturbances and restores the green spaces and the ecosystem vital to sustaining life on that particular site.

How to implement such principles:

Make efficient use of space in existing occupied buildings and also re-use existing vacant buildings or maybe follow the process of redeveloping Brownfield sites as a method to implement the principles of sustainable site design. Allow higher density development in urban areas to help preserve green spaces Reduce the urban heat island effect by reducing the building and site development footprint which will ensure that natural shading of buildings will be achieved

2.Water Quality and Conservation

Water is a commodity that has to be preserved as the amount of drinkable water is diminishing each year and if not preserved it will weigh heavily on future generations. Emphasis should be place on the retention of storm water and on site infiltration. It is important to minimise the wastage of water on site by implementing techniques such as recycling and re-use of water which includes harvesting rainwater and gray water. How to implement such principles

Minimise the buildings footprint, site improvements and construction area by also minimized excavation soil disturbance and compaction.

Design and locate buildings and site improvements to optimise the use of lowimpact storm water technologies.

Conserve water and preserve the site water by ensuring that you use indigenous drought resistant trees and shrubs

It is also important to formulate a water budget and implement strict controls over it.

3. Energy and Environment.

When applying the green construction principles regarding energy and environment it is important that the impacts on the environment are minimized. The strategies that can be implemented range from the aggressive use of energy conservation measures, optimized building design to good material selection. By following these steps or process you can be certain that energy and the environment are being conserved. (Governors Green Government Council, 2008: Online) How to implement such principles Use modern and innovative solar orientation such as blanket solar geysers or design buildings in such a manner that they will minimise undesirable solar gains during the summer season Use high performance low-e glazing which can result in year round energy savings Use state of the art heating and ventilation and air conditioning.

4. Indoor Environmental Quality

Implementing the indoor environment quality will require the design to accommodate a healthy, comfortable and productive indoor environment for building occupants and visitors. It is important to design a building which can bring all these elements of indoor air quality and thermal comfort. How to implement these principles. Maximise the use of natural daylight Provide a smoke free building

Design Envelope and environmental systems that not only treat air temperature

Minimize occupant health, comfort and performance by providing occupants with indivisual space control. . ( Green,D 2008: Online)

5. Materials and Resources

Material usage is an important process of green building and to ensure this you have to minimize the use of non-renewable construction materials and other resources such as energy and water through efficient engineering, design, planning and construction. It is also important to maximize the use of re-usable bio based materials. How to implement these principles

It is important to identify ways to reduce the amount of materials used in the building which may be wasted in the building structures.

Evaluate all products and systems used for their ability to be recycled when they reach the end of their useful life as this will assist in ensuring new materials will not be needed to be manufactured meaning a reduction in pollution.

It is also important to remember that transportation becomes a part of the materials embodied energy so it is beneficial to have materials manufactured in close proximity to where they are needed.( Governors Green Government Council, 2008: Online)

Conclusion:

The principles of green construction are important in achieving the objectives of such an innovative building. The principles serve as a guideline to the way the method will be implemented to achieve green construction. It is thus important to know these principles as the design of the building will be centered on these principles.

Bibliography for principles.

1.

Seville, C.2009. How many green building principles are there? [Online]. Available from: http://www.howmanygreenbuildingprinciplesarethere.com/b logs/dept/green-building-curmudgeon/how-many-greenbuilding-principles-are-there [Accessed 13 September 2009].

2.

Carter, J. 2009. The Principles of Green Builiding. [online]. Carter. Available from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1758918/the_prin ciples_of_green_building.html?cat=6[Accessed 13 September 2009].

3.

Green, D.2008. WHAT IS A GREEN BUILDING? Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design. Available from
<www.epa.gov/RDEE/.../12_08.../12_8_what_is_green_GGGC. pdf -[ Acessesd 13 September 2009].