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As discussed in the article ‘Sustainability and Commonly used Sustainable Material’ (hyperlink the article), green buildings help in eliminating the negative influence on the environment. Although recent years have seen people opting for green construction solutions some clients are still befuddled about some stereotypical notions of green buildings. There is an inadequate amount of awareness about green buildings that have given a rise to many myths that are still believed by people. Here are 7 myths about green buildings that people should not believe.
The myth that green buildings are expensive started to roll out after the initial buildings that were certified as green buildings went over budget. The truth is that green buildings are affordable and achievable with the best engineering, less wastage, and few other aspects if taken care of. There are some materials used in green buildings that are expensive but the cost is compensated by the reduced cost energy used once the building is occupied by users. In fact, green buildings offer reduced energy costs, healthy and quality indoors, and durable structures. If compared to a traditional building green building offers a better resale value. Everything considered Alex Wilson, president of Building Green Inc. said, “But the simple fact is that there are plenty of strategies for inexpensive green building, from right-sizing the structure to optimal value engineering to reducing waste, among many others”.
Similar to few other myths green buildings having a dearth of visual appeal surfaced after the first couple of green building projects. Counter to the myth green buildings are comparatively more beautiful and visually appealing than a conventional building because of the time and efforts taken by the designer to choose materials that would be eco-friendly and work better than conventional materials. Green buildings can be designed in any style namely, colonial, modern, traditional, contemporary, etc. with variations in materials and making it visually similar to any other structure. Nonetheless, like some iconic traditional buildings, green buildings can also be a head-turner repudiating the myth completely.
It is true that constructing a green building involves sustainable technology and eco-friendly materials but that is just a fraction of the entire project. Technology and materials are not the only factors that conclude a green building, along with smart choices of these attributes considering reduction of energy costs is equally important. Incorporating the environment around the building to help in maintaining a comfortable temperature without any mechanical devices is also a smart design feature adding to the green building. Though solar panels are eco-friendly and can reduce energy consumption, until the other energy concerns of the building are not addressed, solar-panels alone do not make much of a difference. All together technology and eco-friendly materials are necessary tools of a green building but are just a small part of the equation and not the only factors.
It is believed that as green building design and construction involves added research and analysis these structures consume extra time and work energy that exceeds the schedules and determining fees. This myth is completely untrue and is proved false by the RTKL when they designed the LEED Gold Office building a year early than the scheduled time and completed the construction four months before it was due. Many designers are now well informed about the technology, materials, and features that can be a part of the green building and thus reduce the time in intense research on the topic. On the other hand, if primary research can contribute to long-run environmental and economic benefits, there is no harm in investing a little extra time in it.
Green Building is profitable to the owner for sure by offering less energy consumption thus benefiting economically and also offering certain local environmental benefits too. These benefits are not restricted to the owner as they also amplify the local economy serving the masses as well. Accepting green buildings aids the society as a whole and not just the owner, for instance, a basic deed of planting trees in the locality improves the air quality that contributes to the environment.
Sourcing green materials are not difficult anymore as green materials are getting popular each passing day it is easy to make choices between green materials. The availability is increasing as many manufacturers are taking up green material production as their priority.
As green buildings have become a part of the industry recently after the increasing concerns regarding environmental issues people have the notion that green is just the trend and not the future. It is known that sustainable practices have been in use for centuries but the recent environmental concerns have only amplified the importance and created awareness. Recently builders have started to face problems in waste management and fulfilling resource requirements, green buildings have come to their rescue and are here to stay as a long-term solution to many issues.
To summarize, green buildings have started to become the solution to most of the problems and thus awareness has increased regarding green buildings. The more people start to accept and acknowledge more about green buildings relinquishing these myths will be easier. As green buildings are the future designers and clients need to experiment with this concept for a better tomorrow.
Experience the perfect balance of aesthetics and relaxation with The Miller Lounge Collection.