This article is part of a blog series on new building materials used in the construction industry, exploring what they are, why they are cheaper and more durable than traditional materials_

In 2020 the global construction industry produced 38% of all energy-related CO2 emissions. It pushed the industry and many governments to find solutions to overcome this issue.

According to statista:

• The value of the global green building materials market in 2022 was 298 billion U.S. dollars
• The projection for 2027 is 524 billion U.S. dollars
• In 2022 California reached the highest number of LEED certificates among all the states. But it was not the highest per capita.

The green building and sustainable construction trend in the construction industry unveiled new construction techniques and new ways of purchasing and producing materials to reduce:

• waste
• energy consumption
• inefficiencies
• the negative impact on the environment.

Many governments have recently adopted policies to eliminate fossil fuels and push for net zero carbon in the construction industry.

Green Building Trends

In 2023, the current building trends and practices will continue to:

• use and discover new eco-friendly building materials
• design buildings with diminishing ecological footprints, to protect the planet
• create interiors that are healthier
• improve energy efficiency
• build up water conservation methods
• preserve natural resources.

Architects, builders, and contractors are innovating to find ecologically friendly products, vs. conventional ones, to reduce waste and preserve natural resources. Below are some examples.

Renewable Energies

To generate power in future buildings, the industry is switching to renewable energies, which are:

• wind power
• hydropower
• solar power.

For instance, energy regulations in California require solar power in new buildings, from the beginning of 2023.

Healthy/Regenerative Design

Healthy construction designs are critical to our assets and communities, especially now that more people are working from home.

For example, creating healthier indoor spaces will require that your designs incorporate the following:

• air purification
• natural light for stress reduction
• creativity for well-being enhancement.

Carbon Dioxide Emission

To lessen carbon dioxide emission, you will have to buy naturally sourced products, like wood, and work on:

• how to minimize the transport of materials
• reducing waste and fuel consumption
• purchasing local products.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Building for the future means using techniques that consider recent developments in extreme weather conditions.

Structures for extreme weather need to be able to:

• reinforce lower levels against flooding
• prevent power losses
• enhance heating and cooling systems.

Building Affordability

In green buildings, materials and labor are expensive for homeowners and home builders. Very small homes will have to be built to make them affordable. Some other solutions are access to alternative materials and community development.

Sustainable/Green Materials and Eco-Friendly Upgrades

Businesses around the world have realized that they are responsible for, and have the power to, reduce their environmental impact, creating a number of new green buildings in 2022.

2023 will see an increase in the use of sustainable materials that can be derived from renewable or recycled assets. Simple examples are:

• bamboo
• wool
• cork.

These green materials are excellent options, coupled with smart technology, as eco-friendly upgrades to older buildings. They can:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• produce biodegradable waste
• decrease the construction industry’s carbon footprint.

Eco-friendly upgrades include:

• smart windows to conserve heat while amplifying natural light and decreasing energy costs
• LED light bulbs to produce efficient lighting, reducing energy consumption
• natural products, such as sheep’s wool and hemp, for insulation.

Modular Construction

Modular construction is an old technique that is becoming very popular.

The principles are simple:

• you design, build and assemble components in a factory
• you then transport the components to the construction site
• you assemble all components together using cranes
• you bring back, unused materials, to the factory, to be reused on another project
• you reduce waste and save the planet
• you save money!

Recycling/Reusing of Waste Materials

The recycling process of demolition debris, which produces a lot of waste, helps to:

• reduce energy consumption
• lower the usage of natural raw materials
• diminish pollution for both air and water
• cut down greenhouse gas emissions - reducing air pollution
• reduce the need for using new materials when they can be replaced by scraps

There are many types of materials that can be found and reused after the demolition of a building. These can include:

• woods
• bricks
• hardwood flooring
• multi-paned windows
• architectural moldings
• plumbing/electrical fixtures.

Construction Management Software and Sustainability

According to the latest construction market data the construction industry size amounted to $8.2 trillion in 2022 (Statista) and is expected to reach $17 trillion by 2029 with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%.

To achieve such a high growth rate, construction companies need to continue improving their sustainability practices if they want to perform at that level. The use of cloud-based solutions like Plannerly or Procore helps manage and execute the delivery of your projects, using real-time data accessibility.

Sustainable Green Buildings

Sustainable, green constructions can be built in a different manner, we explore below some of the most popular ones in 2023:

Net zero buildings

A net zero building will produce, in one year, the same amount of energy as it will consume. To build a net zero building you will have to consider its whole life cycle from:

• purchasing the materials
• energy consumption
• waste management.

To achieve a net zero building, you could:

• use solar panels
• adopt wind turbines
• introduce geothermal systems
• support local businesses.

Green Roofs

Green roofs are, partially or entirely, covered with vegetation. They require creativity, and they are one of the most sustainable constructions nowadays. They:

• are an important part of sustainable construction and green buildings
• help to reduce the environmental impact of a building
• provide economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Passive Design

The passive design considers climate conditions to make sure that comfortable temperature levels are maintained everywhere throughout the building and save energy and money. The techniques employed are:

• using solar panels or wind turbines and optimizing the orientation of the construction to maximize the heating performance of the building
• green roofs and green walls that cool a building naturally
• smart windows and thermostats that provide thermal comfort for many years, with low energy bills, and lower carbon emissions into the atmosphere
• sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and wearables which provide rich data, in real-time, to monitor the building's performance in terms of water and energy consumption.

What Are The Benefits of Green Buildings?

When you plan a green or sustainable construction project, you help lower your carbon footprint while:

• making a positive impact on the environment
• reducing waste
• producing a high return on investment (ROI) thanks to low energy consumption and reduced maintenance costs.

The benefits of constructing a net zero building

Net zero buildings' main advantages are:

• little environmental disturbance: generate low emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, small water and energy consumption
• superior financial performance: optimize operating costs thanks to the efficiency of the building systems
• tremendous occupant health and well-being: create a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for occupants as the data provided by various sensors inform the maintenance managers of potential health hazards and interventions required
• facilitate social and community sustainability by providing green space, and promoting walkability, quality of life, and biodiversity.

Benefits of Sustainable Building Materials

Using sustainable construction materials is more advantageous than the traditional solutions and allows you to:

• meet your social and legal responsibilities, by minimizing the impact on the environment
• provide great system performances throughout the life of the building.

Other Advantages

Lower energy consumption

Sustainable construction materials require less fuel to be produced, leading to reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Reduced waste

Sustainable building materials are often made from recycled or recyclable components, meaning less material goes into landfills. Sustainable products that last longer also mean fewer replacements will be needed, reducing the number of resources used over time.

Easier maintenance

Sustainable construction materials are typically easier to maintain and repair as they often require less energy and water to keep them in good condition. They also tend to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Improved energy efficiency

Sustainable construction materials have a lower thermal mass, leading to improved insulation, reduced energy costs, and better air quality. Sustainable materials can also reflect or absorb more light, meaning fewer artificial lights will be needed during the day.

Toxin free

Sustainable building materials do not contain toxic chemicals, so they are safe for laborers and occupants of the building. They often contain antimicrobial properties reducing allergens present in the air and providing a healthier environment.

Green Roofs Benefits

Green roofs can be used on new or existing buildings, and planted with different sorts of vegetation, including grasses, shrubs, and trees. They can provide building owners, occupants, and the community, with the following benefits:

• avoiding flooding and erosion
• improving water quality
• reducing and absorbing the falling rain
• regulating the water flow into a storm sewer system
• reducing the need for irrigation and cooling
• regulating indoor temperatures
• reducing water and energy consumption
• lowering utility bills
• extending the life of a roof by protecting it from extreme temperatures, and physical damage
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cooling the air, minimizing energy use, and lowering carbon dioxide emissions
• Providing habitat for birds and other wildlife, improving local biodiversity.

Disadvantages of Sustainable Buildings

Green buildings appear to have some challenges as well. They include:

• building and material costs are more expensive
• more complicated to construct and install than traditional options
• technology and methods used in green building are new and difficult to fund from banks
• tricky to source green materials, due to the shortage of supply and lack of expertise around
• specialist designers and contractors of green buildings are difficult to find as there are very few experts
• green assets are more time-consuming to build
• materials may be "labeled green", but they may not deliver the expected impact on the environment.
• the use of green materials on projects may be more regulated in some countries.

In Conclusion

Some strategies that can be used when designing for adaptability, demolition, and reuse, include:

• designing for less waste, using recycled building materials
• considering the environmental impact of reusable materials
• following local governments' requirements for harmful constituents in C&D materials
• using sustainable construction materials to build eco-friendly buildings without sacrificing quality or performance.

While there may be some challenges associated with sourcing building materials or meeting local regulations, adequate planning and research can mitigate this risk easily.

Developers will find that sustainable construction materials can help them to meet, the environmental responsibility and economic viability of their projects.

Most firms intend to establish their best practices, but work gets in the way and they are never created. £220 million are wasted per year in the UK. As a result, there are people solving problems that others have already solved.

Driving Vision's BIM expertise diagnostic looks at how you can eliminate waste (time and material), and improve your margins and the quality of the information provided during the design and construction phases.

A Driving Vision expert will conduct the interviews online and will issue a report and discuss our findings with you. Together we will decide the best way to implement the solutions at your pace and according to your budget.

Implementing BIM can be daunting, but Driving Vision is here to help you at the pace you are comfortable with. Get started by getting in touch now