GREEN BUILDING
A real estate property that is designed, built, operated, and maintained using environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes. Moreover, renovated or refurbished properties can be also considered as green sustainable buildings. For example, using green building materials and implementing environmentally friendly technologies would reduce the carbon footprint.
A real estate property that is designed, built, operated, and maintained using environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes. Moreover, renovated or refurbished properties can be also considered as green sustainable buildings. For example, using green building materials and implementing environmentally friendly technologies would reduce the carbon footprint.
Buildings must comply with different criteria to obtain globally recognized green certifications such as Energy Star and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications. These ensure that real estate properties follow the set of standards that qualify them as a green building. In addition, real estate investors can add these certifications to their list of credentials so as to attract more customers and investors, especially when people are aware of the environmental `consequences of conventional buildings and are willing to invest in green buildings.
Green building materials include wood, rapidly renewable plants like bamboo and straw, recycled stone or metal, and materials that are non-toxic. Carpeting should be made of recycled materials or natural fibers, and hardwood flooring should use wood or bamboo or cork that are rapidly renewable. The key to a building’s energy efficiency, are petrochemicals. They come in flexible sheets or blankets made of fibers of recycled fiberglass, cellulose, denim, or mineral wool. Reducing water consumption can be the key aspect for green buildings, water can be conserved with ultra-low flush toilets and low-flow faucets.
The Edge in Amsterdam, is deemed as the greenest building in the world by BREEAM, exemplifies just how much better buildings can be. Solar panels on the roof and the south-facing wall power the building and the gadgets. The building uses 70 percent less, and generates more electricity than it uses. Lighting is provided by super-efficient LED panels wired with sensors that monitor movement and other requirements. Rainwater is collected for the garden.
-By Akhya Rajesh
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