| Introduction to Green Buildings
Thirty years ago ecological design was a fringe activity, now it is mainstream
and feeding into heart of the colossal global construction industry. Energy
Efficiency ratings, ecological footprint of construction materials, embedding
of micro-renewables and future recyclability are today’s drivers
for the building design standards of tomorrow. The auditing of a building’s
energy efficiency is now part of larger business-wide carbon management
audits being adopted as businesses embrace sustainable practices.
Sustainable Design & Procurement
A number of quality assessment methodologies such as LEED
and BREEAM
are increasingly being viewed as the operating standard for sustainable
building practices for new and refurbished buildings and ecohomes. The
adoption of sustainable procurement practices is bringing substantial
change to both the way buildings are built and how they are used and the
way their materials will be reused and recycled. The selection of new
energy efficient lighting systems and low energy appliances all reduce
the carbon footprint of the individual and the corporation.
Energy Engineering & Energy Management
The adoption of micro-renewables, and software packages to aid the design
and management of energy systems within buildings, has created new job
opportunities. There is a demand to fill positions such as Energy Manager,
Energy Control Systems Engineer and for individuals adept at computer
modelling, or installing and commissioning of solar, wind and other micro-renewables
technologies.
Sustainable Planning
Facilitating this change in architectural practices are the layers of
local, national and international regulations that must be designed, implemented
and controlled. Each of these tiers requires knowledgeable staff to successfully
drive sustainability standards upwards. At the strategic level, planners
must be aware of the need to intergrate energy generation and supply with
sustainable transport, waste and water management systems into the residential
and commercial elements of urban and rural areas.
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