Introduction
As a consequence of the increasing prevalence of environmental issues, the implementation of green building has been an emerging solution dating back to the 1970s when certain countries, namely the USA, Canada, along with Western Europe, encountered inflated prices and oil shortages; hence a realization to develop methods to facilitate energy efficiency was brought forth. Though the initial development of green building had been primarily focused on energy efficiency, the concept in itself had broadened to solve a broader range of issues to become the modern green building movement we know of today.
Reiterating the term green building evolving to encompass an extensive range of environmental issues, certification programs associated with green building, for instance, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), established in 1998, observe a range of aspects of a building that takes both indoor as well as the outdoor environmental performances into consideration before the certification being issued, thus the building can be recognized as a ‘green building.’ Environmental issues in themselves entail human involvement in natural resources with the consequence of detrimental effects on the environment.
As far as the benefits of green building are concerned, the question arises to what extent the implementation of green building will aid the reduction of environmental issues in the years approaching with environmental issues entailing worsening climate change (Holmgren, 79-81). The presence of benefits of green buildings are evident and pose notable positive effects on the said issues. However, studies that inspect the green building in further detail must be taken into account. Therefore, in this essay, we will analyze formerly attempted solutions in regard to green building.
Cundall
Cundall is a multi-professional consultancy in engineering established by Michael Burch, Geoff Cundall, David Gandy, Rick Carr, and Bernard Johnston in 1976. It is located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, in the U.K. The company has taken its knowledge and engineering expertise to the international market, as it currently operates in Australia, Asia, and other European countries. Cundall attributes its success in the market to being flexible and having the ability to adapt to any challenges, regulations, or local cultural practices in the regions it is operating in. Cundall company is committed to offering their clients skills and knowledge that will enable them to make a difference in their homes or offices.
With the help of the World Green Building Council, Cundall’s new offices are designed to focus on improving the quality of air indoors; this includes the continuous observation of carbon dioxide levels and any unstable organic compounds that affect their health employees. This move helped save the company close to two hundred thousand Euros due to reduced sick days per employee every year and a reduction of up to 27% in staff turnover.
Results and Why it Should Be Considered
It offers green features that provide environmental and health benefits to those using the environment. In Cundall’s new office, sound masking and soundscaping were used in the main areas to minimize noise distractions. Installation of varying ventilation controls linked to carbon dioxide sensors in the densely populated regions within the office allows the supply of fresh air that is needed while reducing the consumption of energy for particular hose units by close to 25% (Slabbert 34). The Indoor Environmental Monitoring System (IEQube) monitors and records the relative humidity, air temperature, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.
The office is also fitted with reflective floors increasing the daylight penetration by 25%, thus reducing the need and use of artificial lighting. Cundall’s office has an extensive charging facility and cycle parking encouraging the use of active transport methods. They also have rooms where their employees can exercise and have yoga classes. The new workplace positively affected essential factors like employee attraction and retention, morale, perceived health, and perceived productivity.
Delta Development Group
Delta Development Group is a nationally recognized consulting company specializing in urban planning, disaster preparedness, and economic development. It is located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and was founded in 1988. A group is a group of skilled and talented staff that are always working to support their clients varied technical needs. Their clients are responsible for measuring some values in the matters of economic growth and development in selected communities. Over the years, Delta Development Group has helped in the preparation of disaster management planning and training programs for some regions.
The company has improved the performance and productivity of its employees while delivering a healthy return to their respective developers by integrating health and solutions that are smart working using the cradle-to-cradle principles approach in their new headquarters. When planning for new buildings, the company focuses on creating an environment that is safe and enjoyable to work in. it also aims at minimizing wastes and emissions while maximizing saving energy and water. They have made it their mission to protect the essential environmental elements as they work towards a better and brighter future.
Results and Why it Should Be Considered
The company does not use any fossil fuels; the rooftop is fitted with solar panels responsible for almost 15% of the electric energy used by the building. The company and its partners have invested in a solar farm that is only five kilometers from the office building (New Worldgbc Report Makes Business Case for Building Green with Health and Wellbeing Features | World Green Building Council 6). The solar firm helps to supply the building with the rest of the electricity supply that is needed. The office has a sizeable biophilic program that consists of water features and green walls, responsible for ensuring good air quality and helping to build and maintain comfortable work environments.
Cradle to cradle principles and materials facilitate good air quality while actively managing to keep the carbon dioxides below five hundred parts per million (ppm) (Lask, 54). The company installed a ventilation heating and air conditioning system that allows the users to control depending on their needs. Board rooms are fitted with software that adjusts the temperature depending on the number of people in the room. Delta was able to focus on a few critical goals for the client’s employees due to this process and work closely with Plantronics and the design team to elevate themselves to the green building status.
Henderson Land Development Company Limited
It is China’s and Hong Kong’s leading developer in real estate properties it was founded by Dr. The Hon Lee Shau Kee in 1976. Services offered by Henderson Land Development Company include construction, project management, and finance. It also runs hotels, infrastructure businesses, and commercial hotels (Brooks 57). The company is committed to excellence in the quality of the products and services delivery and constantly emphasizes the environment and sustainability while adding value to its customers, shareholders, and the community. The group’s business believes all about the long-term wellness of the society, thus committing to follow policies and initiatives that are about the protection of the environment.
The company is committed to improving environmental performance through complying with the existing environmental standards and conforming to both applicable international and local recommendations in their day-to-day business operations. The company aims to attain building standards that are sustainable in operational areas in order to promote the local area’s sustainability. The company also prioritizes the use of an environmentally friendly construction approach and designs to traverse green alternatives in their current and future projects. Henderson, a land development company, limited looks to reduce the amount of energy consumed while improving energy efficiency, conserving resources while using renewable materials that can be recycled and are environmentally friendly.
The buildings owned by the company have achieved various green building accredited approvals to the satisfaction of their tenants; as a result, the development has boosted the company’s resale values to almost 40% compared to the surrounding buildings. The company’s buildings are constructed with curtain walls that are double glazed and minimally tinted to reduce the heat from the sun. This helps provide an element of coolness in a climate that is generally warm. The buildings are also fitted with upgraded ventilation systems and encourage the use of low volatile materials so as to achieve the desired indoor air quality.
Conclusion
This research paper aimed to determine how implementing green buildings will help with the ongoing environmental crisis such as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Green building is policies designed to minimize waste and energy use in buildings. These green building construction practices can be assimilated into buildings at any stage of development, including design, construction, renovation, and demolition. Initiatives range from green walls and roofs fitted with solar panels and any other practice that helps in the conservation of energy.
The world green building aims to continue supporting and promoting the efforts of companies that are working towards an effective relationship between an indoor environment that is healthy and economic outcomes that are positive. A standard rating system to assess and compare the performance of green buildings is needed to effectively provide green information and advice to people who want to go green.
Works Cited
Brooks, Adam. “Analysis of Green Building Water Infrastructure Technologies at The EPA NCER”. Web.Wpi. Edu, 2008. Web.
Holmgren, Mattias, Alan Kabanshi, and Patrik Sörqvist. “Occupant perception of “green” buildings: Distinguishing physical and psychological factors.” Building and Environment 114, 2017, pp. 140-147.
Lask, Jonathan. Doing Right by Planet and People. 2018. Web.
“New Worldgbc Report Makes Business Case for Building Green with Health and Wellbeing Features. | World Green Building Council”. World Green Building Council, 2021. Web.
Paceworx. 2021. Web.
Slabbert, Gennae. Core.Ac. Uk, 2021. Web.
