Toda actividad humana tiene su consiguiente impacto en el medio ambiente. Sin embargo, a lo largo de la historia de la humanidad este ha sido muy diferente. Tal y como señala Globalcarbonatlas.org, nuestros ancestros que habitaban el planeta hace 800.000 años apenas dejaban una huella de carbono a su paso, porque su actividad estaba muy ligada a la naturaleza y los océanos regulaban el dióxido de carbono que generaba su existencia.

Now, according to World Bank data, CO2 emissions stand at 4.5 metric tons per capita per year. These figures are unsustainable for the health of our planet and have led governments and organizations across five continents to set an agenda so that, between 2030 and 2050, civilization will move away from dependence on fossil fuels, decarbonize, and advance toward full environmental sustainability.

And to achieve this, every detail counts. That’s why more and more people are trying to do their part to promote sustainability. One of the fastest-growing options is green building. That’s what we want to talk to you about today at Culmia. Are you ready to learn all about it?

What is green building?

As a human activity, it is inevitable that the real estate sector will cause pollution. There are currently 36 “megalopolises”—that is, cities with more than 10 million inhabitants—so the market must meet high demand. And this translates into high energy consumption and carbon emissions that account for nearly 40% of the total currently generated by humankind.

As such, it has also been one of the sectors that has taken this problem most seriously and has been the first to propose solutions. Among these is green building, a discipline that stems from architecture with the goal of creating and building homes that are fully integrated into their surroundings. In this way, it seeks to understand how nature works in order to harness its benefits and have a minimal impact on the environment.

And although it is currently booming, its inspiration dates back a long way, because before humans began using modern materials such as concrete or steel, buildings were constructed from natural raw materials, such as wood, earth, or stone. These are the very same materials that now make up eco-materials—known for having a low environmental impact in their production and maintenance, posing no risk to human health, and, at the same time, offering durability and economic viability.

Differences Between Green Building and Sustainable Construction

Although they sound very similar, these terms do not mean the same thing. Let’s take a look:

• As we have seen, green building requires conducting a study prior to construction. This includes factors such as climate, hours of sunlight and shade, soil type, orientation, wind, etc. The goal is to design a house using local materials that can take full advantage of what nature has to offer with minimal energy consumption.
• Sustainable construction focuses more on the use of the home, because its goal is for the building to have the lowest possible environmental impact while also being as energy self-sufficient as possible.

In short, green building pursues energy efficiency through a more natural approach: it makes better use of the thermal and climatic conditions of the environment to minimize its impact on the environment. Sustainable construction, on the other hand, seeks to achieve energy balance so that it can function over the long term without depleting resources or harming the environment.

Advantages of Green Building

Why choose architecture based on sustainable building practices? Here are some good reasons:

• Energy and cost savings. By harnessing natural resources such as sunlight, wind, and rain, residents eventually see the benefits in their wallets. Generally, these homes are designed to generate clean energy, so they don’t rely as heavily on a connection to the power grid. Meanwhile, their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and insulation help them retain heat better in the winter and reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer.
• More efficient use of water. These types of buildings are ideal for living in close contact with nature. It’s easier to have gardens because they include systems that collect rainwater for irrigation, as well as for washing clothes, flushing toilets, and other uses.
• The materials used are recyclable. To construct a building of this type, locally sourced materials (stone, earth, wood, etc.) are used. This ensures that, in the very long term, these materials can be returned to nature to complete their life cycle and regenerate naturally.

• They do not pose a health risk to their residents. Using materials that come directly from nature prevents the use of processed materials. What does this mean? It means there will be no trace of chemicals or radioactive substances that are toxic to humans, so there will be absolutely no chance that they will endanger the health of those who live there.
• Comfortable indoor climate. Green building is a great way to create a comfortable environment and livable spaces. The house will be well-ventilated and cool in the summer, while in the winter, sunlight will help raise the temperature, reducing the need for heating.
• They represent a commitment to the environment. These types of buildings are a public good because they contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world. We are living in a time when climate change is a widespread concern, and committing to green building is a very important step toward reducing our carbon footprint.

Green Building: The Homes of the Future

Given its characteristics, green building is easier to implement in cities and natural environments. But it is not entirely incompatible with urban spaces, as demonstrated by large-scale sustainable city projects (with Dubai serving as a prime example). For this reason, governments and companies around the world are already beginning to incorporate it into their new construction projects, with the firm intention of making the homes of the future more efficient, eco-friendly, and comfortable.

We recommend:

• What Is Bioclimatic Architecture?: Learn About Its Benefits
• The Keys to Self-Sufficient Homes