World environment day 2022 throws a new light on the field of construction with continual material innovations and technological advancements that promise an eco-friendly environment strong enough to counteract the carbonising concrete jungle of the cities of today.
Did you know?
"38%ofcarbon emissions in the world are accounted to the construction industry."
The resulting effects of climate change, pollution and other natural in stabilities cycles back to the construction world and demands new considerations every next year.
"By2035,the carbon footprint is expected to rise by a massive 45% compared to today."
With such an alarming number connoted to the industry, there is an urgent call for all decarbonising, sustainable concepts like Net-zero buildings, Carbon-neutral and Carbon-negative structures, Energy-efficient systems and more that can secure the planet.
RE-THINKINGTHE ROLE OF CONSTRUCTION
Understanding the green principles
Construction is not an investment for the next few decades—it is an investment for the future. The role of construction in the green revolution is not only pronounced with the design vision, but also in the practices in their execution and beyond. Green practices come to effect with a factual design concept envisioned with green-certified materials that come into a construct with the support of company policies that drive efficiency in working patterns, construction techniques, waste management and more on-site processes. These construction practices have more to them in addition to LEED certifications and other recognitions—they have a part in influencing the status quo of the planet.
CONSERVING THE PRESENT WITH CARBON-NEUTRALMATERIALS:
Carbon-neutrality is a concept in the green revolution that focuses on minimising the carbon footprint adding to the existent in the environment. It revolves around there use and recycling of materials that cut down the waste accumulation and convert them into usable building materials without compromising on the structural requirements. These materials can be used in both the exterior and interior of a building envelope, depending on the material requirements of a given area.
The Ideal Exterior Materials:
Recycled plastic
A way to recycle everyday waste
Recycled plastic secures its place in the carbon-neutral materials by being sourced from common household waste that leaves fewer landfills when converted into a building material. It comes out as roof shingles, wall panels, PVC frames for windows etc. that benefit from its insulation, durability and easy maintenance.
Fly ash bricks
A way to recycle industry waste
Fly ash bricks secure their place in the carbon-neutral materials by bringing a brick-like composition of fly ash, cement, sand and water that come out as walls, street furniture and other masonry works that call for compression strength more than anything.4
The Ideal Interior Materials:
Reclaimed wood
A renewed version of wood chips & debris
Reclaimed wood secures its place in the carbon-neutral materials by reclaiming old, weathered wood pieces or scraps to recreate furniture, storage partitions, wall panels and more. that take advantage of the distressed style in its making.
Terazzo
A recreated version of tile scraps
Terazzo secures its place in the carbon-neutral materials by bringing a mix of tile scraps to recreate wall dados, table stone tops and more. that take advantage of the assorted style in its making.
SAVING THE FUTURE WITH CARBON-NEGATIVE MATERIALS:
Carbon-negativity is a concept in the green revolution that goes beyond the concerns over carbon additions, to strategies that focus on capturing and absorbing the carbon traces existent in the nature. It brings the experimentation of different material components that exhibit a quality of absorbing carbon and storing or converting it in a permanent way. These innovative materials are used independently or in unison with other materials to offer positive building outcomes.
Living Bricks
An unconventional upgrade of regular bricks
Living bricks come out as a carbon-negative material by bringing a composition of sand, gelatin and bacteria that make it absorb carbon from the atmosphere. It comes out as a climate-responsive building envelope for all buildings in a polluted, urban cityscape.
Carbicrete
An eco-upgrade of regular concrete
Carbicrete comes out as a carbon-negative material by being an alternative for calcium-based cement that can absorb CO2 for the process of curing. It is a major component behind building structures and roadworks that utilise its structural qualities of increased compression and strength.
Olivine Sand
A carbon-consuming additive
Olivine sand comes out as a carbon-negative material by absorbing its own mass inCO2abundant in the cities we live in. It is known as a special type of sand that exhibits good moulding capacity, making it an ideal alternative for sand or gravel in construction.
Ferrock
A way to recycle construction waste
Ferrock secures its place in the carbon-negative materials by binding steel dust and silica with atmospheric CO2. It is known for its structural properties and rust-free nature that best comes out as a green alternative for regular concrete.
BRINGING NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTO LIGHT:
If green materials bring a change in manufacturing, the technologies take the responsibility of bringing a change in the design and functional part of the construction. Efficient construction technologies aim to minimise the energy consumption that has an indirect effect on the building's requirements—for example, passive cooling and insulation eliminate the need for air conditioning systems that emit greenhouse gases. From residences to large-scale industrial plants, these technologies can be curated as per the building's demand.
Direct air capture
A storehouse for atmospheric carbon
Carbon capture and Utilisation (CCU) may be common, but Carbon capture and Storage(CCS) is also called for, to bring an effective and immediate change, given the enormous surge in the carbon footprints. Direct air capture serves as a model of CCS that absorbs CO2 and captures it in deep geological formation sheld underground with the help of chemical or electrochemical reactions taking place in large industrial plants. This also helps in easy sourcing for CCU, given the need.
Geothermal heating
An earth-sourced passive heating system
Geothermal heating sources heat from the deep underground segments of earth to achieve thermal comfort in the given structure. Frequently used in residences located in extreme climate zones, this system is also found efficient for the functioning of industrial plants and other large-scale structures.
PROMOTING THE ECO-CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE:
Green revolution is an umbrella concept that runs along the construction practices to bring both direct and indirect effects on the key goal. While the direct outcomes can be measured within a construction cycle, the indirect outcomes resulting post-completion cannot be measured—certain models of construction are designed to encourage people for adapting a green lifestyle that has slow yet significant effects on a long-term.
"Change begins with the people"
Insulation techniques that encourage reduced use of appliances
Insulation of the building envelope with the right choice of materials can reduce the need for air-conditioning and other energy-consuming appliances. Such buildings motivate people to let go of the energy-consuming lifestyle and adapt for the better.
Construction practices that manage building waste
Management policies can change the way the industry works by bringing streamlined transportation of construction debris, increased value for scraps, increased awareness of modern methods etc. that change construction practices over time.
OUR PART IN THE CARBON REVOLUTION:
"We take efficiency seriously" — digiQC
If you are someone ready to head towards the future of construction, make sure you read the blog on Construction industry—An Overview to get an all-in-one look at the industry’s status quo, before you begin.
