Most of us seem to know that we should be doing what we can to be environmentally friendly and reduce our environmental footprint. We hear much about environmental damage and increasingly, ‘green’ buildings and practices are showcased as examples to aspire to. Ranging from use of water to flooring and heating and cooling systems to future proofing, there are ten good tips for developing, building and using a sustainable building.
Tip #1: Conserve Water
Appliances and fittings that are water efficient (and rated with 3 or more stars) should be used and this includes showerheads if showers are a feature of your building. It is worthwhile and important to install devices to limit water pressure and use rainwater tanks to supply water for gardening, toilets and laundry facilities.
Tip #2: Use Natural Heating and Cooling Processes
Natural approaches to heating and cooling (known as passive solar design) allow a building to respond to its local climate by way of natural heating during the winter months and natural cooling when summer heat is experienced. This sounds good, but what are some of the ways that natural heating and cooling take effect?
Consideration of orientation and room zoning is required, so that breezes and cross ventilation can be maximised. Having adequate and suitable insulation is important as is shading (such as eaves), appropriate building materials (that are lightweight and have a sufficient thermal mass) and fixtures and finishes (these may include, skylights, blinds and curtains).
When passive solar design is integrated, dependence on heaters and air conditioning can be significantly reduced. Added benefits include increased use of natural light, improvements in air quality and circulating breezes offering fresh air.
Tip #3: Ensure Efficient Water Heating is Used
Although it may seem that your business uses only limited amounts of hot water, it is wise to install an energy and greenhouse efficient hot water system, (such a system could be powered by solar energy or natural gas). Energy and greenhouse efficient water heating can drastically reduce energy bills and limit greenhouse emissions.
Tip #4: Consider and Build for the Future
While you will not have a crystal ball, think of the future as far as possible. What will your needs be years down the track? How do you expect your business to have grown, evolved and changed? Some foresight into what your needs down the track may be is important and worthwhile. Similarly, if you think that your business may well move on from the premises, try to envisage what the needs of future tenants may be.
Tip #5: Think about Flooring
Sustainable interior design is just as important as the structure and facilities of the building and flooring is one of your building’s most important features.
As far as possible, it is advisable to have step-free floors and floor surfaces that are safe and slip resistant.
You also want to have flooring that is durable, robust and visually appealing. Carpet tiles present a great option as they are cost effective, hard wearing and available in a range of attractive designs and colours. Carpet tiles can be easily replaced and arranged to form unique designs and patterns Note – check the company’s product LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to ensure the carpet tile has been manufactured using the most sustainable practices.
Tip #6: View from the Street
Few things are more frustrating than trying to locate the number of a building when numbers are disguised or just not present! Display a clear, easy to read number and invest in good external lighting. For safety, it is also a good idea to have a drive way that is separate from the entrance used by pedestrians.
Tip #7: Reduce Maintenance Costs in the Long Term
The use of low maintenance, environmentally sustainable materials is a great way to reduce costs incurred for repairs and ongoing maintenance.
Tip #8: Enhance the Quality of Indoor Air
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are quite often found in paints, varnishes and adhesives. Products that contain VOCs should be avoided as they can cause allergies and irritation and have negative health impacts.
Tip #9: Provide Outdoor Areas
Sustainable buildings often have permanently covered outdoor areas and the best of these are well positioned to indoor areas.
Environmental responsibility and positive impact certainly extends to sustainable buildings. Components of sustainable buildings include: quality carpet and flooring, heating and cooling systems, use of water and external spaces. Genuinely sustainable buildings need to be carefully planned and designed in order to yield real environmental benefits while still being fit for purpose.
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