green design
Environmental design and construction or green design refers to lessening ecological impacts of buildings, and furthermore, creating structures which have the capability of conversely affecting natural systems (Mcdonough, 2004). This refers to this possibility that buildings can prove beneficial and constructive within their ecological setting, and can achieve harmonious integration into the natural ecosystem over its lifecycle. (Yeang, 1999)
The built environment can and must be made sustainable or ‘green’ as far as possible. Design and construction project teams must respond to this need by designing and building structures with ‘green’ objectives in mind from the outset and throughout the project’s lifecycle (Mcdonough, 2004). These objectives have to be at the forefront of designers, developers and contractors mind in order to quell the threat of further environmental harm and global catastrophe (Yeang,1999).
If the industry, and modern civilization, fails to adequately recognize and attain these objectives, the resilience of the earth’s natural capital will come under immense pressure in dealing with the burden of reaching and surpassing its carrying limit, while continually being dilapidated by the excessive behaviour of the human species. (Yeang, 1999)
The prospect of sustainable design and construction of buildings presents a vital opportunity for minimizing worldwide carbon emissions and environmental harm (Mcdonough, 2004). The initial stages of building production are therefore crucial, as it is at this stage that projected environmental impact of a building over its lifecycle can be confronted and scrutinized (Pitts, 2004).
At this early stage of design, factors such as the materials used in construction and the type of operational systems in the building are decided upon; factors which will contribute substantially to the final product either being cognizant or, alternatively, insensitive to environmental concerns (Carpenter, 2001) .Consequently, suitable sustainable design strategies can be selected and implemented at the initial phase, setting a precedent for the stages to follow. An essential facet of ‘green’ design and construction is that environmental awareness and sustainability are viewed in the context of being goals to strive towards, rather than treating environmental issues as restrictions in the planning and execution of works (Mcdonough, 2004).
Design and construction with environmental objectives (green design) are becoming increasingly common in contemporary architectural and structural processes, with several principles mandatory in modern development project design (Birkeland, 2004). Project teams must, however, be continually aiming to improve these design undertakings in order to consistently enhance and expand prerequisites for progressive green design. (Yeang, 1999)