Building Sustainably for the Future

Sustainable construction is one of the central themes when it comes to planning the city centers and metropolitan areas of the future. In the context of global warming and the climate crisis, it's more important than ever to minimize the impacts of construction projects on ecosystems and the environment. This pertains not only to the construction itself but also to the subsequent use of the buildings, whether they're residential or commercial.

We will inform you about the aspects of sustainable construction, the concrete benefits associated with it, and the possibilities for constructing buildings sustainably.

What Is Sustainable Construction And What Goals Does It Achieve?

Sustainability in construction is primarily aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources. This extends beyond just the construction phase and encompasses the entire lifecycle of a building. It makes little sense for a building to be composed entirely of renewable materials if it can only be used for a few years or has an inadequate energy balance.

Furthermore, in sustainable construction, there are not only ecological dimensions but also economic and socio-cultural aspects that carry equal importance. Ideally, these separate dimensions should be taken into account when planning and implementing new construction and renovation projects:

Ecological Dimension

• Responsible use of renewable resources and natural materials
• Use of recyclable or naturally degradable materials

Economic Dimension

• Sustainable construction materials and technologies
• Energy-efficient heating and hot water supply
• Energy-neutral or energy-generating
• Energy-efficient insulation (thermal insulation and heat shields through green roofs and facades)
• Rainwater management (for household use)
• Natural air circulation in buildings to replace air conditioning

Socio-Cultural Dimension

• Safe, functional, and ergonomic design through green architecture
• Greenery on facades and roofs for climate-neutral living and improved air quality in city centers

In summary, sustainable construction encompasses three main dimensions: ecological, economic, and socio-cultural. In the ecological dimension, the focus is on protecting the environment and minimizing the impact on ecosystems. The economic dimension emphasizes cost reduction and improved efficiency. Meanwhile, the socio-cultural dimension aims to enhance the quality of life both within buildings and in urban areas. The implementation of these dimensions involves responsible use of resources, energy-efficient technologies, and the integration of green elements to create functional and environmentally friendly structures.

Ecological or alternative construction has been a topic of discussion in architecture since the 1970s. Until now, the focus has mainly been on the impact of construction projects on the environment and ecosystems. Little consideration has been given to economic and socio-cultural aspects. These have only come into play with the concept of sustainable construction.

What Possibilities Exist For Environmentally Friendly Construction?

The requirements for buildings in the future are high. To truly build sustainably, the focus must be on minimizing resource and energy consumption from the outset. It's crucial to find environmentally friendly options for both raw materials and building materials, as well as the energy supply for the building.

1. Suitable Building Materials For Sustainable Construction

For sustainable construction, it's important that building materials come from natural and renewable resources. These include wood, clay, sand, and lime, as well as insulation materials made from hemp, wool, or wood fibers.

However, this is not enough. The used building materials must be produced or processed in an environmentally friendly manner. They should also be available in sufficient quantities or renew faster than they are consumed. Factors such as lifespan, transportation routes, and recycling also play a role in the sustainable extraction of resources. Ideally, the materials needed for a construction project come from the region, have a long lifespan, and can be reused as building materials in case of possible building dismantling.

2. Energy Balance For Sustainable Buildings

An important aspect of a building's sustainability is a climate-neutral energy supply. On one hand, energy consumption should be significantly reduced compared to older buildings, achieved through better insulation among other measures. On the other hand, conditions must be created for the building to generate its own energy, including through solar panels. Ideally, over the course of a year, the energy generated should match or even exceed the building's total energy consumption. Sustainable buildings can be classified into two different categories for optimal energy efficiency:

Energy-Neutral: The energy demand is fully covered by the energy generated by the building.

Energy-Generating: The amount of energy generated is higher than what the building requires for its own use.

To guarantee self-sufficient energy generation and supply, the architecture of a sustainable building must meet special requirements:

Robust insulation and triple glazing (HR+++)

• Compact construction and avoidance of thermal bridges
• Large windows and roofs facing south for optimal solar use
• Solar panels on the roof and facade or as transparent modules on windows for solar energy generation
• Mostly airtight construction to facilitate heat recovery
• Air and water heating through solar energy or geothermal sources
• Open design inside for optimal air circulation

Building materials that provide excellent insulation or heat retention while also having a compact design keep heat loss at a low level. At the same time, the architecture should support the optimal deployment of various energy-generating installations such as solar panels and heat pumps.

3. A Park On The Roof – Green Architecture

Green architecture or green building aims to avoid turning city centers into concrete deserts or to embellish them with greenery. Instead of individual plants on each balcony, there is a large amount of greenery on the roof and facades, integrated as an essential part of the architecture. This not only adds cheerful colors, but also visibly helps improve the climate and living quality in cities:

• Shade in summer, insulation in winter
• Rainwater storage
• Evaporation maintains pleasant humidity
• Lower ambient temperature
• Air purification as CO2 is converted to oxygen
• Sound insulation and increased privacy
• Living space for birds and insects
• Relaxing effect on residents
• Promotion And Certification Of Sustainable Buildings

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) supports sustainable and environmentally friendly building through various programs, including:

The Dutch Standard for Energy Neutral Construction (NESK) for schools and office buildings. As part of NESK, RVO provides practical examples of sustainable offices in the Netherlands, covering the process, technology, financing, as well as highlighting success factors and learning aspects.

The MIA and Vamil provide fiscal benefits for entrepreneurs investing in assets and techniques that are less harmful to the environment. These are listed in the Environmental List. To avail of either of these schemes, you need to apply to RVO.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Construction

What is sustainable construction?

Sustainable construction takes into account the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of a building's lifecycle. This means using renewable and recyclable materials, energy-efficient installation techniques, and green architecture. All aspects are integrated from the outset in the planning, influencing material choice, construction, and design of a building project.

Why is environmentally friendly construction important for the future?

Prudent and responsible use of natural resources and reducing energy consumption are good for the environment. Simultaneously, operational costs – heating, cooling, electricity, and hot water – decrease significantly, while the long-term quality of life and living conditions in cities improve.

What is the biggest challenge in sustainable construction?

The biggest challenge is financing because the costs of planning and building are relatively high compared to traditional methods. Truly building a sustainable structure requires a substantial investment that ultimately results in clear savings in operational costs over the long term.