What are common green building mistakes and how can you avoid them?
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Green building is a growing trend that aims to reduce the environmental impact of construction and operation of buildings. However, not all green building practices are equally effective or appropriate for every project. In fact, some common mistakes can undermine the sustainability goals and even cause more harm than good. In this article, we will explore some of these mistakes and how you can avoid them in your next green building project.
One of the most important aspects of green building is selecting materials that are durable, renewable, recycled, or low-impact. However, some materials that may seem green on the surface can have hidden drawbacks or trade-offs. For example, bamboo is often touted as a sustainable alternative to wood, but it can require intensive processing, transportation, and chemical treatment that negate its benefits. Similarly, some recycled materials may contain toxic substances or emit harmful gases that can affect indoor air quality and health. To avoid these mistakes, you should always research the life cycle and environmental performance of the materials you use, and look for certifications or labels that indicate their sustainability standards.
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Lyle Axelarris, PE, BECxP
Building Enclosure Consultant for High-Performance Buildings
In the design of building enclosures, a very common mistake is to ignore the vapor permeance of insulating materials. In our drive to improve a building's thermal performance, we often sacrifice the building's moisture performance by selecting vapor-retarding insulation in a location that prevents an assembly from being able to dry out. Wet insulation does not perform well, so this mistake not only causes mold and rot concerns, it also defeats the original purpose of the added insulation (thermal performance). Without expert consultation and hygrothermal analysis, many well-intended designs end up causing premature material degradation, IAQ problems, and reduced energy efficiency.
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Leonard Teo
Technical Specialist | Driving Energy and Water Usage Reduction | Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) | Energy Transition | Decarbonisation | Water Circularity | Sustainability Strategy
Besides the sustainability of materials, some materials are less energy efficient. For example, for a building with lots of glass panels, the solar irradiance may causre the building heat load to increase. If the glass selection is incorrect, one might face a huge challenge in green building design.
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Another common mistake in green building is ignoring the site and climate conditions of the project. The location, orientation, topography, vegetation, and weather of the site can have a significant impact on the energy efficiency, water conservation, and biodiversity of the building. For example, a building that is designed for a cold climate may not perform well in a hot and humid one, or vice versa. A building that is oriented to maximize natural light may also increase solar heat gain and cooling demand. A building that is placed on a steep slope may increase erosion and runoff. To avoid these mistakes, you should always conduct a site analysis and select design strategies that are appropriate for the site and climate.
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Martijn Lopes Cardozo
CEO at Circle Economy | Experienced serial entrepreneur | Driving the transition towards a circular economy | Board member and advisor
Integrating a building into its environment starts with a deep understanding of the site and climate, essential for ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability. The most innovative green buildings are those that embrace their surroundings, using location-specific advantages to reduce their footprint. A successful green building feels like it was designed precisely for its patch of earth, contributing to its ecosystem rather than disrupting it
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Philippe Schicker
Experienced Energy Consultant | Former Data Science for Social Good Fellow | Looking for Climate Tech Position | M.S. Management & Data Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University
Overlooking the site and climate conditions can hamper a green building's performance. Factors like location, orientation, and vegetation can affect energy efficiency and water conservation. A building designed for one climate may not work well in another. Analyze the site thoroughly and choose design strategies suitable for its unique conditions to ensure maximum sustainability.
A third common mistake in green building is overlooking the users and occupants of the building. The behavior, preferences, and needs of the people who live or work in the building can affect its environmental performance and comfort. For example, a building that is equipped with high-efficiency appliances and systems may not achieve its potential savings if the users do not use them properly or efficiently. A building that is designed to optimize natural ventilation may not be comfortable for the occupants if they do not open the windows or adjust the blinds. A building that is intended to promote health and well-being may not do so if the users are not aware of or satisfied with its features. To avoid these mistakes, you should always involve the users and occupants in the design process and provide them with education and feedback on how to use the building effectively and sustainably.
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Ivan Poon
Researcher @ Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore | Sustainability
A frequent oversight in sustainable design is the assumption that all tenants will be equally committed to environmental stewardship and share the same sustainability goals. Regrettably, the projections made during the design phase are often overly optimistic, or it doesn't fully account for the diversity of businesses and their operational realities, and hence the actual energy consumption during the building's operation can differ significantly from initial expectations.
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Leonard Teo
Technical Specialist | Driving Energy and Water Usage Reduction | Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) | Energy Transition | Decarbonisation | Water Circularity | Sustainability Strategy
In the quest for green building, one might overlook the comfort of the occupants. Limiting fresh air intake and turning up the thermostat are quick ways to reduce building energy consumption. However, these might have indoor air quality (IAQ) as well as comfort issues. There were earlier phases of green building where occupants are unable to work at night due to lack of lighting (most lighting using skylights) as well as company limiting the occupancy of the building so as to save on building energy requirements. All these defeats the purpose of a green building.
A fourth common mistake in green building is neglecting the maintenance and operation of the building. The sustainability of a building does not end when it is completed and occupied. It depends on how well it is maintained and operated over its life span. A building that is poorly maintained or operated can lose its efficiency, functionality, and durability, and increase its environmental impact and costs. For example, a building that is not regularly inspected and cleaned can accumulate dust, dirt, and mold that can impair its systems and affect its indoor air quality and health. A building that is not properly monitored and controlled can waste energy, water, and resources, and compromise its comfort and performance. To avoid these mistakes, you should always plan and implement a maintenance and operation program that ensures the optimal functioning and longevity of the building.
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Leonard Teo
Technical Specialist | Driving Energy and Water Usage Reduction | Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) | Energy Transition | Decarbonisation | Water Circularity | Sustainability Strategy
The sustainability of the green building depends on its M&E maintenance. If maintenance is not done, the state of the equipment would worsen overtime. One example would be Chiller Plant room. If maintenance is not done regularly, there might be refrigerant leaks and this will increase global warming. The lack of refrigerant will also cause the chiller to be inefficient. Similarly, the lack of operational control over green building will cause the initially designed green building to be much less green,
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Philippe Schicker
Experienced Energy Consultant | Former Data Science for Social Good Fellow | Looking for Climate Tech Position | M.S. Management & Data Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University
Don't forget that green building sustainability relies on proper maintenance and operation. Poorly maintained buildings lose efficiency, functionality, and durability, increasing costs and environmental impact. Develop a maintenance and operation program to ensure optimal building performance and longevity.
A fifth and final common mistake in green building is forgetting the big picture. The sustainability of a building is not only determined by its individual components and features, but by how they interact and integrate with each other and with the larger context. A building that is designed and constructed in isolation can miss opportunities and create conflicts that can undermine its sustainability goals. For example, a building that is highly energy-efficient may not be very water-efficient, or vice versa. A building that is environmentally friendly may not be socially or economically viable, or vice versa. A building that is locally appropriate may not be globally responsible, or vice versa. To avoid these mistakes, you should always adopt a holistic and systemic approach to green building, and consider the multiple dimensions and scales of sustainability.
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Matt Grace
Gap Year (30 years overdue!)
This is a common mistake that can be compounded by poorly executed green building rating strategies. It is essential that the Owner and Design team have a written set of sustainability goals at the outset and that these are measurable. Very often, an established green building rating system (LEED, BREEAM, Built Green, LBC etc) can support these goals by providing clear guidance or they may be a funding requirement. Unfortunately, they are sometimes seen as a list of measures that must be implemented without understanding the intent of each checklist item. These rating systems are fantastic resources but need to be used intelligently.
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Ivan Poon
Researcher @ Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore | Sustainability
A frequent misconception is the belief that a 'green' building is entirely benign to the environment. In reality, many such buildings are better described as 'doing less harm.' Only a handful of green building rating systems, such as CASBEE, also evaluate the environmental "loading" of a green building. Presently, there's a growing shift among professionals toward the concept of 'regenerative buildings'—structures that not only minimize environmental harm but actively contribute to regeneration, going beyond the traditional scope of simply being green.