The eco-building movement is decades old, getting its start in the 1960s. Some developed countries started embracing sustainable development in 1980, following a decade of energy crisis.
The world saw the United Kingdom codify the first green building standard in 1990. The U.S. Green Building Council formed its global green building community three years later.
For half a century, the eco-building movement has made inroads in lessening construction’s environmental impact. Various innovations have been game-changers.
For example, prefab construction has sped up the building process, maximized materials and reduced worker exposure to hazards. LEDs have revolutionized artificial lighting. These bulbs consume at least 75% of electricity and last 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
Despite making headway, the construction industry remains a notorious greenhouse gas emitter. Global warming has decelerated near zero since the turn of the 21st century but remains unmitigated. The planet’s surface temperature continues to increase every decade. Reversing the effects of climate change is still a puzzle.
Will the new age of eco-building deliver better results? What novel construction innovations can bring the world meaningfully closer to sustainability? Several emerging technologies have tremendous potential to improve the planet’s health.
What Are the Benefits of Eco-Building?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified structures account for less than 0.1% of all buildings in the United States. Most people still need to learn about the merits of green construction practices. If the next era of eco-building is to succeed, building owners and developers should appreciate these seven benefits.
1. Climate Change Mitigation
Eco-building is about decarbonizing the construction industry. It’s an enormous undertaking but possible when considering sustainability at every turn.
Methods include designing energy-efficient structures, being a lean thinker, upgrading to electric equipment and locally sourcing supplies. They reduce the carbon footprints of construction projects and buildings throughout their life cycle.
2. Pollution Elimination
Sustainable construction practices steer clear of fossil fuels. Consuming 100% clean energy is impossible when oil, natural gas and coal dominate the U.S. energy mix. Still, green-minded developers adopt electrified tools and machines to emit zero climate change gases and other harmful air pollutants.
Eco-building is big on eliminating water, soil and noise pollution. It’s about minimizing the adverse effects of construction projects on communities and local wildlife.
3. Resource Conservation
Eco-builders favor renewable and recycled materials instead of finite resources. That’s why the relationships between sustainable construction proponents and circular businesses are symbiotic.
4. Waste Reduction
The construction industry is a significant contributor of solid waste. Eco-builders recover and reuse salvageable debris and support biodegradable solutions to help conserve limited landfill space.
5. Ecological Regeneration
Green building advocates make all efforts to minimize ecosystem disruption and focus on regenerative design. Eco-building projects are successful only when the structures can harmoniously coexist with nature.
6. Renewable Energy Research and Development
More investors will find renewable energy projects profitable when developers tackle eco-building initiatives. Capital is a nonnegotiable requirement to advance clean energy production. Renewables will become more commercially viable when robust demand for green buildings arises.
7. Building Resilience
Sustainability is long-term thinking. That’s why champions of eco-building push for resilient designs. The more structures can withstand natural disasters, the better it is for the environment.
What Are the Most Exciting Eco-Building Innovations?
Research and development in construction is nonstop. These 11 technologies will usher in the new age of eco-building.
1. 3D-Printed Soil
3D printing has opened a world of possibilities to boost construction speed, promote worker safety and increase material efficiency. Circular bio-based construction will take it to the next level.
Researchers at the University of Virginia prove it’s possible to 3D-print ecologically active soil structures. This engineering marvel enables sourcing eco-friendly raw materials locally, growing vegetation in non-roof building areas and turning structures into carbon sinks.
2. Plasma Rock
This sturdy and nontoxic material consists of recycled coastal landfill waste. It’s a product of plasma gasification — hence the name. It promises to keep detrimental substances from winding up in the ocean. It’s powdery, so it’s possible to make various objects.
3. Luminescent Cement
This fascinating material, also known as super-hydrophobic cement, can absorb sunlight during the day and radiate energy at night. It can naturally illuminate buildings and roads in conjunction with well-maintained headlights and reduce the need for electric lighting equipment. Luminescent cement is enduring, needing little repairs for dozens of years.
4. Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete
This alternative to steel-reinforced concrete is perfect for areas reliant on metal imports that can grow bamboo abundantly. Its tensile strength is greater than steel’s. That’s why this grass can be a superior substitute for the iron alloy.
5. Cigarette Butt Brick
Smoking is terrible for your health and the environment. Most cigarette filters can take 10 years to decompose. Billions wash into bodies of water, harming animals before they disappear. Even worse, cigarette butts leave the toxic materials they contain behind.
Incorporating butt waste into construction bricks is a neat way to keep cigarette debris from ending up in the environment. Adding this material lessens clay’s baking time, reducing brick production’s greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Breathe Brick
This masonry system filters polluted outdoor air so it’s healthy enough to inhale indoors. It can remove 100% and 30% of coarse and fine particles. It uses pressure and temperature differentials to operate, requiring no electricity. Its plastic components are recycled, so it supports the circular economy.
This porous system is suitable for urban properties. However, it works best in two-story structures with notorious air pollution.
These bricks are concrete, so they’re durable. Aesthetically, they have angular surfaces that lend character to walls.
7. Transparent Wood
This material may be the window glass of tomorrow. Transparent wood comes from the balsa tree, which is fast-growing, low-density and native to the Americas.
It’s natural cellulose, and polymer filler makes it stronger and lighter than conventional glass. This clear material resists impact and insulates heat better. When it reaches its breaking point, it splinters or bends and doesn’t shatter.
Moreover, transparent wood is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment. Mass-producing it should require less capital.
8. Synthetic Thatch
Certain kinds of synthetic thatch come from recycled high-density polyethylene, making the material eco-friendly. Additionally, synthetic thatch can last 20 years without causing mold and pest problems.
It requires no maintenance, so you only need to install it once and forget about it for decades. Conversely, natural thatch typically needs replacement every couple of years and involves demanding upkeep.
9. Green Polyurethane Foam
Polyurethane spray foam has an average R-value of up to 9 per inch, making it one of the best wall insulators around. The downside is that it’s environmentally harmful — until researchers at Clemson University made it without toxic chemicals.
Furthermore, scientists at the University of North Texas invented sustainable polyurethane-based products. Unlike conventional foams that can stick around for 1,000 years after use, their foams are 90% biodegradable and insulate 12% better.
10. Superabsorbent Hydrogel
This material has mind-blowing absorbency. It can absorb unlimited water vapor from moist air, helping cool the interior. It doesn’t stop absorbing moisture even when the relative humidity is 30%. When it’s possible to manufacture it en masse, it can also be an excellent passive water harvester.
11. Electrochromic Glass
This smart glass automatically adjusts its window tint to block 90% solar radiation. It reduces unwanted heat gain and drives down cooling loads as a result.
Aside from minimizing energy consumption and lowering utility bills, electrochromic glass eliminates the need for shades. It lets you enjoy the view without using artificial lighting to brighten indoor spaces.
Fight Climate Change With Eco-Building
No single technology can solve the world’s pressing environmental challenges. Still, these emerging sustainable construction solutions can make a dent in climate change. Hopefully, the new era of eco-building will yield more tangible results with these innovations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Meaning of Eco-Building?
Eco-building is the umbrella term for sustainable construction practices and materials. Read this post from the top to learn about its various benefits.
Are Green Buildings Worth It?
Green buildings are worth it because they help slow and neutralize the effects of climate change. Check out this post to know how many green buildings exist in the U.S.
What Are the Eco-Friendly Building Trends?
The most exciting eco-building innovations include bio-based 3D construction, transparent wood and superabsorbent hydrogel. Scroll up to see the rest of the list.
