Sustainable building design has become significantly more important in recent years. People have begun to realize that ‘going green’ is about more than just recycling and looking for alternative power resources. It’s about investing in future sustainable solutions by prioritizing green engineering, and design in commercial construction. When done right, sustainable building design can have a positive lasting impact on the environment and the value of the property.
What is Green Engineering and design?
Green engineering and design is all about the commercialization, and use of products and processes that are environmentally friendly. These products and processes cut down on pollution, minimize risks to human health, and create sustainability through eco-friendly design. Green building aims to protect the world we live in, and reflect the desired working environment for many people. When done properly, it can be extremely cost-effective.
Sustainable building design can be as simple as using specific products and appliances or as complex as constructing zero energy buildings. It can be scaled to meet specific goals and environmental needs. During the design process, the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of these buildings is also taken into account.
Advantages of Green Engineering
There are many advantages to using a sustainable building design based on the type of space, the purpose of the building, and the type of construction project. Ground-up projects offer a different scope of options compared to tenant renovations.
Environmental Advantages
The most obvious advantage and importance of green engineering and design is the inherent environmental friendliness. Green engineering benefits the environment and protects it with environmentally-friendly designs and plans.
Construction is planned in such a way that carbon dioxide emissions are minimized, and recyclable materials are used, for example. If possible, organic materials are used with green engineering as a focus. Green engineering and design can be as simple as incorporating landscaping into a project layout.
Economic Advantages
Though not everyone realizes this, green engineering can have economic advantages as well. Operating and construction costs are reduced thanks to clever environmentally-friendly innovations.
For example, building heating and cooling expenses can be cut by up to 30% when using special insulation film on windows. Investing in solar roofs can also cut the cost of electricity and heat, especially located in Central Texas. Ultimately, sustainable building design pays for itself in the long run.
Health Advantages
Some of the most important benefits of green engineering are related to the health of the people who not only construct the buildings but also live in them.
Sustainable carpeting and paint made from organic and natural materials don’t expose people to harmful chemicals, improving their quality of life. Additionally, the incorporation of green space in the modern workspace is known to improve employee wellbeing. There are many practices with good effects on people’s health that make green engineering the way of the future.
Consider Going Green
Green engineering and design have come a long way since people started realizing their importance. If you live in South Austin, San Marcos, or San Antonio and have construction planned, you won’t regret doing things the ‘green’ way.
Looking for expert consultation on your sustainable building design? S. Watts Group has experience building all types of green buildings. Most notably, our team transformed an empty Wal-Mart into a Class-A office building that emphasized modern, green workspace design. Winning numerous awards, Preserve at 620 highlights the possibilities of incorporating green engineering and design into any type of commercial construction project. Learn more about our work at Preserve at 620.
S. Watts Group specializes in all types and sizes of commercial construction projects. From healthcare to warehouses, and ground-up of restaurant renovations, our team can help you complete your sustainable building design projects. Contact us today to get to work on your project!
