As an architect in 2021, you have to think about the environment. This is why many architecture firms are leading the way in helping the environment. After all, if you can’t rely on sustainable practices, you risk further pollution, which can lead to a huge number of problems in the future. For that reason, as well as many others (e.g., saving money), contemporary architects are turning to zero waste business practices. But how can you apply zero waste policies within your own architectural projects? Well, this article is here to help you find out.

Describing Zero Waste

People online, especially business owners, tend to run into the term ‘zero waste’ and a whole host of questions follows. What is zero waste? Who started zero waste movements and why? Is it something that I should consider?

Zero waste is exactly what its name suggests. It’s a method of conserving all resources without the need to burn or discard any excess materials. There are several ways we can achieve that goal. Generally speaking, it requires responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of everything, from raw materials to finished products and even product packages. In short, everything that doesn’t have to become waste must be used or reused in some way.

Various different industries are already using the zero waste approach. For instance, you have zero waste restaurants popping up across the world. Zero waste shopping malls are also becoming increasingly popular. And yes, even some of the biggest corporations on the planet are looking into implementing zero waste practices.

But how does zero waste apply to architecture, exactly?

LEED Certification

Since the early 1990s, experts have been trying to come up with a green building certification program that can be applied to any architectural project worldwide. The result of their efforts was the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, also known as LEED.

LEED certification generally covers everything regarding a construction project. Some of the categories include: water efficiency, sustainable sites, atmosphere and energy, indoor environment quality, materials and resources, and design innovation.

Levels of certification range between 0 and 100 points, with 40 being the lowest for certification. Said levels are ranked as follows:

• 40‒49 — certified
• 50‒59 — silver
• 60‒79 — gold
• 80 and above — platinum

Currently, the LEED rating system is grouped into five overarching categories:

• Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
• Interior Design and Construction
• Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
• Neighborhood Development
• Home design and construction

As of August 2021, there are roughly 96,000 LEED-certified projects around the world, in 167 different countries. This number clearly shows just how interested people are in green architecture, and the upward trend will definitely continue in the decades to come.

Key Points to Consider in Zero Waste Architecture

In order to maintain a zero-waste policy, an architect needs to consider the so-called four R’s of circular economy: rethink, reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Rethink

Rethinking is the initial step to every zero-waste project. As an architect, you need to look at your project and start thinking outside of the box. For example, consider the materials you will need. Can you use an alternative, and if so, can your alternative materials be locally sourced? That way, you will save money on transport and shipping, as well as reduce your working hours. Furthermore, you’ll need to think about potential design constraints and how best to tackle them. Innovative architectural practices like passive solar design can also help you achieve your zero-waste goals if you start to implement them as early as the planning stage.

Reduce

There are several ways you can look at on-site reduction when it comes to architecture. Here are several examples:

• Resizing the level of concrete, metal, or any other raw material
• Designing lightweight systems that use up fewer resources than usual
• Decreasing on-site waste via different building and designing practices
• Eliminating the need for excess drying or cooling during construction
• Lowering the carbon footprint by eliminating the need for transport as much as possible
• Reducing the size of the urban living space
• Figuring out sustainable transport systems from one location to the next in an urban area.

Reuse

Just like reducing, reusing can also be viewed in more than one way when it comes to sustainable architecture. More specifically, we will look into two types of reuse:

• Material reuse
• Reuse of entire buildings

Reuse of materials is rather straightforward. During construction (or post-demolition), you can take the raw materials and, instead of sending them to the landfill, use them for your new project. Anything from structural steel meshes, solid wood, concrete, brick, stone, glass, metal coatings, and partition walls can and should be reused whenever possible.

Reusing an entire building might sound like a novel concept, but it’s actually something we’ve been doing for centuries, if not millennia. If a building still has structural integrity, tearing it down would be a massive waste. Instead, as a project supervisor, you can convert the building into something new. For example, you can turn an old factory or a prison into a museum, an art gallery, an office space, or even a hotel. Many architects are following similar strategies to lower the carbon footprints of their homes as well. The only real limit, other than potential budgetary constraints, is your imagination.

Recycle

One of the new concepts that entrepreneurs are embracing with open arms is urban mining. In short, it’s the practice of going to abandoned buildings or post-demolition landfills and acquiring secondary raw materials that we can convert into something else. That way, instead of polluting our land, water, and air, these materials are finding a new purpose and follow the circular model of green architecture. As a modern architect yourself, you can greatly benefit from recycling construction material, whether as an urban miner or as a provider of the materials themselves.

Conclusion

If applied effectively, sustainable architecture practices can make our lives easier in many different ways. Not only will they save our time, money, and effort in a tangible way, but they will also contribute to keeping our planet safe. And of course, no construction project can ever be safe enough if our very own environment is too dangerous for us to inhabit.

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With this in mind, zero-carbon home building is becoming more popular. So what do you need to know about zero-carbon home building before you put it on your resume?

1. What Does Net Zero-Carbon Mean?

First, what does it mean for a home to be zero-carbon? There are two parts to that answer — your home’s operational energy and embodied energy.

Embodied energy refers to the carbon expense of your building materials — concrete, timber, steel, etc. You can begin to offset that portion by choosing recycled, reclaimed, or other eco-friendly construction materials and selecting options designed to be energy-efficient.

Your operational energy, on the other hand, refers to the power you use and your impact on the environment. This is where things like eco-friendly electric heat pumps and Energy Star appliances come into play.

2. The Materials and Appliances Play a Large Role

Instead of choosing traditional building materials, the first step toward creating a zero-carbon home is to choose materials with a smaller carbon footprint that will be easier to offset in the long run.

Recycled materials are closer to zero-carbon than new ones, and choosing things like limecrete instead of concrete can help further reduce that number.

At this stage, you’ll also want to choose windows that help reduce heat loss. Double- or triple-glazed glass are the best option, allowing plenty of natural light into the home without bleeding heat during the cooler months or allowing too much heat in during the warm months. This, in turn, reduces the home’s energy usage and shrinks its carbon footprint, bringing it closer to that zero-carbon goal.

3. No Gas Here — Zero-Carbon Is All-Electric

Gas ranges are popular for cooking, and gas is a standard tool for heating homes across the country. But you won’t find either in a zero-carbon home. Instead, these properties come equipped with electric ranges and ovens, as well as electric heating or geothermal gas pumps, which we’ll look at in more detail in a moment.

This has a secondary bonus of improving interior air quality. Burning natural gas releases many contaminants, from carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides to sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds, all of which can negatively affect interior air quality.

Plus, no matter how clean it is, natural gas is still a fossil fuel. And one of the primary goals of a zero-carbon house is to get away from fossil fuels as much as possible.

4. Zero-Carbon Homes are Airtight and Insulated

Two of the biggest aspects of zero-carbon homes are airtightness and insulation. This is a step above what you’ll find in a more traditional home. These properties are designed to be as airtight as possible unless a door or window is open, and are more heavily insulated to reduce the amount of energy necessary to heat and cool the home.

These homes also focus on elements like blown cellulose insulation rather than a more traditional fiberglass because it’s renewable, carbon-neutral, and biodegradable.

5. The Carbon Footprint May or May Not Include Transportation

There are two schools of thought on this. Some believe your home’s carbon footprint doesn’t include your transportation. Others believe it should all be lumped together.

The argument is that the home’s eventual location plays a large role in the household’s total carbon footprint. The farther you are from work, school, and other facilities, the farther you have to travel and the more fossil fuels you expend. Your carbon footprint expands as a result.

Homeowners can offset this by making the switch to electric vehicles — especially if their home runs primarily on solar or other green energy — reducing their commute, or using public transportation whenever possible.

6. They’re More Expensive Than Traditional Homes

This is something potential homeowners will need to consider before breaking ground. Zero-carbon homes are usually 5%-15% more expensive than conventional home construction.

This isn’t a bad thing, though the idea of paying more on day one for the same size home could be a little off-putting for some homebuyers.

On the flip side, there are savings to consider. The reduced utility costs mean the house and its zero-carbon improvements start paying for themselves from day one.

7. There Are Additional Steps to Obtain LEED Certification

While it’s not necessary for a zero-carbon home, many homeowners wish their homebuilders to apply for LEED certification. There are six categories to consider when applying for LEED certification:

• Location
• Water efficiency
• Energy/atmosphere
• Material/resource selection
• Indoor air quality
• Innovation

Make sure you study the requirements if a LEED certification application is also in your construction plan.

8. Many Zero-Carbon Homes Incorporate Heat Pumps

Instead of relying on gas or electricity to heat and cool the home, many zero-carbon homes rely on heat pumps to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and to offset the carbon output of a given structure.

These pumps are connected to a series of pipes buried deep in the ground below the house. During the winter, they collect Earth’s heat and use it to keep your house warm. In the summer, they can pull heat away from your home, keeping it more comfortable.

This is often the best option for heating and cooling a zero-carbon home. Even electric HVAC systems have a small carbon footprint due to their reliance on electricity, especially if you’re still hooked up to the grid. Heat pumps are optimal when other forms of green and renewable energy aren’t available or are impractical.

9. You Can Retrofit Existing Properties to Make Them Zero-Carbon

You don’t have to start from the ground up to build a zero-carbon home, although it is often easier. You can retrofit existing properties to make them as close to zero-carbon as possible.

The only place you’re likely to run into issues is with the original building materials. But you may be able to mitigate that with a carbon offset program to achieve true zero-carbon status.

There isn’t a lot of information yet on how these retrofits affect the overall value of the property. But with new zero-carbon homes already costing more than traditional construction, it’s safe to assume investing in retrofitting an existing property will help increase the overall value.

10. The Government May Offer Incentives to Go Zero Carbon

As with most green technologies, many state and federal government offices offer incentives to encourage homeowners to seek out zero-carbon buildings.

The exact details of these incentives vary from state to state and from country to country. The future homeowner may be able to claim these incentives in the form of tax credits or rebates, or even as discounts on construction materials.

Construction companies may also be able to claim incentives for building these zero-carbon structures, depending on the rules of your local incentive program.

The Future of the Zero-Carbon Home

Zero-carbon homes will become an essential part of the construction industry moving forward as countries around the globe look for ways to reduce their carbon footprints and adhere to the outlines set up by the Paris Climate Accords.

This will continue to shape homebuilding for years to come, making now the perfect time for construction companies to get their foot in the door and start offering zero-carbon building solutions.

The post 10 Things to Know About Zero-Carbon Home Building appeared first on Green Building Insider.

What does it mean to have a zero-energy building? People can learn the answers to these questions — and more — with this helpful net-zero guide.

What Is a Zero-Energy Building?

Many people want sustainable buildings, which maximize the use of natural resources to minimize the impact on the planet. A net-zero, or zero-energy, building takes that goal to the next level.

A widely accepted definition is that the building is so efficient and reliant on renewable sources that the total energy it needs is equal to or less than the renewable energy produced at the site. Some organizations also call these structures zero-carbon buildings because the total carbon dioxide emissions equal zero or a negative value.

Net-zero homes are still relatively rare in the United States, with about 5,000 single-family houses that produce zero carbon. Some analysts believe the tides are changing, but not all at once.

For example, California now mandates that most new homes and multi-family residences up to three stories high must have solar panels, a step in the right direction in achieving a net-zero goal.

What Are the Benefits of a Zero-Energy Building?

When people think of the advantages of a net-zero building, the energy savings often come to mind first. Eliminating one’s dependence on the electrical grid is also appealing, especially for individuals who are concerned about price fluctuations.

Speaking of the grid, if a zero-energy building produces more energy than necessary, occupants can sell the excess to power companies as an income-generating activity. For example, the Unisphere is one of the largest commercial buildings in the United States. Since its design includes nearly 3,000 solar panels, all surplus power produced during the day gets sold to the grid.

A net-zero building can also be educational and help people feel influential to the future of the planet. Virginia’s Discovery Elementary School, for instance, is a net-zero facility. About 75 of its students take part in the Eco-Action Team, which has monthly meetings to teach young people about how to save energy, live healthily, consume less and other pertinent topics.

Buildings account for around 30% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and carbon dioxide is one of the most abundant emissions. Therefore, a zero-carbon building trend could mean that structures earn a better reputation by helping the planet instead of hurting it.

Moreover, if a brand commits to reaching a zero-energy milestone by a specified time, it could become a leader for other commercial entities to follow. Fulfilling that role could be crucial if a company’s target audience is especially eco-conscious or the brand has made previous efforts towards sustainability and wants to maximize them.

What Challenges Exist for Net-Zero Buildings?

The quest to erect more net-zero buildings is not without its difficulties. One issue is that some corporations want to get behind a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 or 2050, but not all of them agree on what net-zero means. The definition given earlier in this guide is a frequently used one, but it still hasn’t achieved universal acceptance.

Relatedly, there is no single method for verifying and certifying greenhouse gas reductions achieved through net-zero emissions. Coming up with one would help companies figure out what they’re doing well and where there’s room for improvement.

People have complained that it’s fine to have net-zero goals, but the aspirations fall apart when companies don’t have a well-defined gameplan for reaching that distant objective. For example, Rio Tinto is a mining company that will make a $1 billion investment over five years to meet climate goals. However, the company’s CEO, Jean-Sébastien Jacques, has said, “There is no clear pathway right now for the world to get net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Another difficulty is the unequal pace of progress in this area across the globe. For example, Ireland has what it deems “nearly net-zero buildings.” These new homes must be 70% more energy-efficient and produce 70% fewer carbon dioxide emissions compared to those built in 2005. Plus, energy analysts point out that net-zero buildings are not priorities for some Asian nations, and people there still see a future that uses coal.

However, if a person or company is genuinely interested in moving ahead with net-zero buildings, they must try to focus on what’s within their power to do. It’s impossible to make every resident or country promise to work towards a particular energy generation or emissions objective. Fortunately, committed people and brands can still make impressive progress through diligent dedication.

What Steps Can People Take Towards Net-Zero Buildings?

If a person is interested in living in a zero-energy home, they must decide what steps they’re willing to take to make that happen. One option is to work with a zero-energy builder who can either create a residence from the ground up or retrofit an existing one. Also, New York has a net-zero apartment complex called netZero Village. It could be a possibility for people who want to move into net-zero homes and are willing to relocate if necessary.

Another necessity is to decide whether the net-zero definition only extends to energy use or goes beyond. For example, some people bring other aspects, such as water and waste, into their zero-energy plans. In that case, a person has what’s sometimes called a net-zero-passive house. A passive house is not necessarily net-zero, but the term refers to making the house have as small of an ecological footprint as possible. As such, net-zero and passivity go together well.

Some local authorities also realize that it’s not feasible to expect commercial entities to meet a net-zero goal right away. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, members of the city council unanimously passed a measure to make all of the area’s new or renovated government buildings net-zero ready.

In essence, that means they’ll meet a standard that enables using very little energy. Then, over a year, that usage is offset via a connection to an on-site or local energy source. Such an approach shows that city officials aren’t trying to do everything at once, but they’re laying the groundwork for meaningful, timely improvements.

Even if people are not at the point where they’re directly associated with net-zero buildings, they can still show their support for them. In September 2020, London will be the site for the world’s first Net Zero Festival, a gathering that brings people from various sectors together to explore how to achieve some of the energy goals set around the globe. Planning to attend could help interested persons stay in the loop about building practices and more.

What Is the Future for Zero-Energy Buildings?

As mentioned earlier, numerous nations have net-zero goals. However, they aren’t only focusing on buildings. In Serbia, a music festival’s campaign ultimately convinced the government there to plant one billion trees as part of a broader effort to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050. The structures that people live and work in will undoubtedly play key roles in the overall aims, too.

An industry analysis anticipates a 15.6% combined annual growth rate for net-zero-energy buildings around the world from 2019 to 2024. Several areas in Europe may become zero-energy districts, too.

A Net-Zero Building Is a Worthy Aspiration

It’s not realistic to expect the world to make a quick transition to zero-energy buildings. However, the examples here show that the idea is taking off globally.

Since many countries have set goals to reduce emissions, leaders will need to assess how buildings fit into their respective targets. Making a net-zero building requires extensive planning, but following through could have positive effects for this generation and future ones.

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