Fortunately, innovations in modern building practices have simplified architects’ responsibilities. New materials and technologies have given them the flexibility they need to develop plans that satisfy high standards of sustainability. They no longer need to make so many difficult compromises.

With advances in eco-friendly building materials, architectural films, renewable energy systems and green solutions, a better balance with the planet is possible. We’ll describe these advances in greater detail, taking a look at four of the recent changes in commercial design that show significant potential.

New Eco-Friendly Building Materials

Adoption of sustainable materials can reduce the impact of a commercial build, but these materials have to meet stringent criteria. They need to have a measurable impact on a structure’s energy efficiency. Creating a tight envelope that protects against the elements — while reducing expenditure — helps achieve this goal.

Pacific Bio-Foam is one such material on the market that shows promise for the future of sustainable design. It’s a plant-based polyurethane rigid foam just as effective as other insulators, but far less harmful for the environment, the most eco-conscious option among other products in its category.

Application of Architectural Films

A thin layer of architectural film is enough to reduce a company’s heating and cooling costs by a considerable margin. Applied to windows, it can keep out a high percentage of the sun’s heat, allowing for streamlined regulation of a building’s interior temperature. The benefits don’t end there, however.

Beyond the effect of architectural film on energy savings and CO2 emissions, it also has protective properties which deflect ultraviolet rays. These rays can damage the furniture and flooring in a workspace, taking a visible toll as they fade the material and leave it looking dull, worn and aged.

Prefabricated Construction Methods

Traditional construction can be incredibly wasteful. It’s an energy-intensive process with a poor track record for efficiency, prolonging the strain that industrial waste and CO2 emissions have on the environment.

Luckily, modular construction has been on the rise. Whether entire buildings are being prefabricated or the materials themselves, this process lets builders have more control over the construction process. Precast concrete, for example, is created entirely in a factory setting that produces little waste and has almost no negative impact on air quality. Even better, it can be made from recycled materials, thus reducing the demolition waste traditional construction is known to create.

Prefabrication allows builders to cut back on time, money and a project’s environmental impact. As this industry grows, sustainable commercial buildings will increasingly be built using materials that are created in a safe, controlled environment.

Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Electricity is a basic need, fundamental to a company’s ability to operate. That said, a business no longer has to depend on traditional sources of energy, and they can transition from fossil fuel toward renewable resources with an upgrade to their infrastructure. Solar panels are an accessible example.

Solar energy is clean and cost-effective, reducing a company’s carbon emissions and utility bill. If they collect enough excess energy, they can even sell it back to their provider to earn a profit. Both commercial and residential buildings have made incredible use of this technology.

Integration of Green Solutions

Researchers at Purdue University have developed the Biowall, which is a botanical air filter that reduces CO2 and removes VOCs. The contaminants within a commercial building flow through the plants, and microbes in the root zone metabolize harmful compounds that cause headaches, coughing, fatigue and other symptoms of poor air quality.

Buildings can save up to 25 percent in HVAC energy use by integrating a Biowall, and there are other advantages. These filters also ease the exchange between indoor and outdoor air. This releases trapped irritants from carpeting, fabrics and machines that would linger in an air-tight room.

A Future of Sustainable Commercial Buildings

It starts with improved building practices, moving away from traditional methods toward green alternatives. New eco-friendly materials, architectural film and other solutions all contribute to a brighter future. It’s no longer such a difficult task to design sustainable commercial buildings.

That said, it’s a shared responsibility, and the public has to show an interest in preserving the environment. As long as everyone does their part, achieving a better balance with the planet is more than possible — it’s probable.

The post 4 Ways To Make Commercial Buildings Sustainable appeared first on Green Building Insider.

It’s not all bad news, though. As more people wake up to the reality of climate change, we’re coming up with more ways to reduce our environmental impact, including that of our homes. New construction materials, building designs, energy systems and other innovations are enabling us to make our homes greener.

It’s easier to reduce the environmental impact of some types of homes than others, though. Let’s look at four types of houses and their potential for going green.

1. Move-in Ready Homes

The environmental friendliness of pre-built, move-in ready homes varies. You might be able to find some newer homes that are built with ecological impact in mind. For many developers, however, that’s not the priority. Older homes can be especially problematic, as they might not have the latest green technology and are likely to have more insulation issues.

Of course, you can always retrofit an existing home to make it greener. The necessary renovation projects may be challenging, time-consuming and expensive. Fortunately, they do have the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency and maximize a home’s green potential.

Not all move-in ready homes are exceptionally eco-friendly, but if you find the right one — most likely newer, sustainable home building options — or complete some renovations, you can make yours relatively green.

2. Custom-Built Homes

With custom-built homes, you have plentiful opportunities to make green choices. You have much more control over how the home is built and what features you include. So, if you make the right decisions, you could end up with an extremely green house.

Of course, the environmental impact of your custom home will depend on the features you choose. Opt for recycled or sustainably produced building materials, electric- and water-efficient appliances and fixtures, and renewable energy systems, such as passive solar and solar panels. You can include the most up-to-date appliances right from the start, ensuring your home will save you money on energy output.

While these green features can require a substantial upfront investment, many of them will save you money in the long run. It’s also much easier to incorporate these features into a new build than an existing one.

3. Modular Homes

Modular homes are built in sections in a factory setting and then assembled on-site. Buying a modular home gives you the option to customize it to some extent. You don’t have as much freedom as with a custom-built home, but the process is typically faster and simpler.

There is less guesswork and waste in making modular homes because they are built in a factory with predefined processes. Many modular home companies also offer green feature options and consider energy efficiency in their designs, so these types of houses have the potential to be quite environmentally friendly.

Because of the way they’re built, they can also be an affordable option. Modular homes potentially free up more space in your budget for green features.

4. Tiny Homes

Reduced environmental impact is one of the most prominent draws of the tiny house movement, which, if you haven’t heard, involves houses that are about 100 to 400 square feet and sometimes mobile.

Because of the size of tiny homes, they use fewer materials and less energy, significantly reducing their effect on the environment. Many are solar-powered, which is easier to accomplish than with a larger house because they require less power to operate.

Tiny houses also encourage simple living and require cutting down on the number of possessions you have. This is another way they help you live a green lifestyle. Another draw is, of course, the tiny price as compared to a standard home.

Choosing Sustainable Home Building

We all have the potential to make our homes greener, as long as we have the right information, resources and the will to see our eco-friendly projects through. Some types of homes, though, making going green easier than others do. The next time you consider relocating, check out and compare those sustainable home building options with the most green potential.

The post Which Sustainable Home Building Option Has The Most Green Potential? appeared first on Green Building Insider.