The Future Of Sustainable Housing



In all of the world’s major cities, there is a seemingly insatiable demand for new housing. The steadily growing number of new buildings, and the ever-increasing sales of appliances and other amenities to furnish and fill them, seem to be a positive sign of progress. However, with the increasing number of buildings comes a rising demand for energy. In a time when we are actively looking for ways to lower energy consumption, this presents something of a dilemma. Energy demand from buildings and the construction industry itself amounts to around 36% of total global demand, as well as 40% of the world’s CO2 emissions. In addition, most buildings, especially older ones, are not energy efficient. For these reasons, the construction industry, as well as average citizens, are always on the lookout for solutions that will decrease emissions and improve efficiency. Among these solutions is the development of sustainable housing – eco-friendly design and building that makes use of sustainable materials and eco-friendly methods. These have gained considerable traction in the field of architectural design and construction. Their environmental and financial benefits are becoming more and more evident to professionals in the building industry and consumers alike. 

The benefits of eco-homes can’t be ignored

What are these self-evident benefits? The purpose of eco-homes is to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint – as well as that of the buildings’ owners and residents. Designers and builders accomplish this through the use of sustainable construction materials (bamboo and earthbags instead of concrete and timber, for example). They also include design features that are intended to reduce the building’s emissions, such as highly effective insulation and built-in clean energy solutions to make them at least partially self-sufficient, such as solar panels and wind turbines. These measures can reduce energy bills and emissions by 30% or more.  

In most cases, local, easily accessible materials can be used, cutting down on construction and shipping times, as well as costs. The nature of the materials also makes construction faster. These are all short-term benefits. The long-term benefits accrue to the residents of the buildings, who can enjoy better air quality and better health, consistent home temperature, and lower maintenance requirements, and to the global environment, thanks to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

The market for eco-friendly homes is growing

Sustainability is a popular trend for consumers in all markets and industries – the housing and commercial building markets are no exception. The global market for green building materials is set to reach $364.6 billion this year. The rising demand for green buildings will be driven by constant shifts in consumer lifestyles, and the growing focus on renewable energy and sustainable materials.

The future we face – as seen by architects

The future is uncertain, and there is no real way of knowing whether trends that emerge today will have any staying power and become the standards of tomorrow. In the field of architectural design, many creative solutions are emerging that hold a great deal of promise for a more sustainable future, as a recent competition run by architectural and design magazine, Dezeen. The leading competitors put forward such innovations as bricks made from bioplastic fibers, 3-D printed concrete platforms to elevate coastal homes above rising sea levels, and faster and more sustainable construction through the use of plywood as opposed to bricks and concrete. The field is developing rapidly and moving in exciting and unexpected directions. 

Seth A. Leeb is an architect based in Parsippany, New Jersey. His three-person  firm has a diverse practice, including commercial, industrial and religious buildings, the firm’s specialty is period residential additions/renovations of various sizes. The firm is committed to the development of sustainable housing practices, and no job is too big or too small for it. Contact us for more information.

This blog was originally published at https://leeb-architecture.com/the-future-of-sustainable-housing/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hybrid Office Design: A Guide for Architects and Employers

Image
Hybrid office design is now standard practice across the board. Some companies still require employees to be in the office full-time, while many others offer a permanent hybrid work alternative.  Gallup  states that hybrid workers are, on average, coming into the office three days per week, which requires a rethink of modern office architecture. We need innovative office spaces to accommodate the diverse needs of hybrid work. That being said, our team of architects in NJ have put together a guide to hybrid office design based on the most recent commercial office additions to our portfolio. What Are Hybrid Work Models?    What are flexible and hybrid work models at their core? They link remote workers with on-site employees and include spaces such as home, the office, and a third space that could be a local coffee shop or a more ambitious spot like the beach. Employees have the flexibility to choose when they will be in the office, unless there are team-specific ...
Read more

How to Keep Commercial Building Costs On-Budget

Image
Commercial building projects are highly complex and demanding – and it’s important that they not only stay on schedule, but that they stay on budget too. While unforeseen circumstances can push both of these goals out, there are ways recommended by  Commercial architecture in NJ   to help prevent delays and rising costs. Know the Weak Points in  Commercial Building Design  and Construction Projects  When a commercial building project is facing delays and rising costs, there are several areas where weak points in the project are often found. By knowing these weak points and having a strategy that prevents them from collapsing, your project should move forward much more smoothly. These weak points include: Lack of vital design information –  Incomplete architectural plans that lack certain details and specifications will cause confusion, delays, miscommunication and even more work due to tear-outs. Choosing cheap contractors –  Contract...
Read more

How Residential Architecture is Responding to Climate Change

Image
Climate change is something every industry, including architecture, has started  adapting to. Building residential architecture that is made for the ever-changing weather challenges like extreme hot temperatures, flooding, and storms has become an integral part of the future.  Climate adaptation in architecture has changed to increase sustainability and the safety of the people who reside in homes that experience extreme weather patterns. Our team of  residential architects in NJ  takes a closer look below:  Evolution of Climate-Responsive Residential Architecture Climate architecture considers the environment and the structural adaptations of a building to thrive in its abode. Here are some ways in which the building industry has transformed residential architecture for climate change: Using eco-friendly resources Incorporating natural building materials Maximizing the building structure Focusing on the environment to reduce carbon emissions has become vital. T...
Read more