Home Building Plans

Green Buildings and Green Walls

Concern for the environment is high on everyone’s agenda these days, with the issue of climate change and there is concern for natural wildlife habitats. Of course, the building industry is not always seen as being on the side of nature, but “green” buildings are coming more to the fore and the industry is searching for other ways to promote a positive contribution to the environment.

The giant Westfield shopping centre in London has been praised for using an emerging green building design to help promote biodiversity in towns and cities. The shopping centre is in the west of London and it consists of a “living wall” with ferns and flowers separating the pedestrian walkway from nearby housing areas.

The owners of the shopping centre say that, in addition to the promotion of plant life, the wall has cut down on noise for residents and had created an attractive environment which has helped to ensure that all restaurant units have been let.

Canadian company ELT Easy Green developed the wall, which will be recognised in a new report by the Green Building Council, which says that buildings can play a key role in helping local biodiversity.

Dr Carol Williams is chair of the UK-GBC Biodiversity Task Group, which write the report. She said: “The construction and property sector has been pilloried in the past for its negative impact on green space, wildlife and habitat,” observed “But the industry can actually have a positive influence on ecological value.”

Developers, landlords and consultants can take guidance from the report on how to assist biodiversity in towns and cities and successful projects are cited, which include Jubilee Park at Canary Wharf, east London and buildings owned by commercial property developer British Land on which green roofs have been installed.

The report says that benefits of green roofs include a reduction in flood risk and an improvement in insulation. In addition increased productivity has been associated with green workplaces.

GBC’s chief executive Paul King said: “Green roofs, living walls, and good old-fashioned parks and green spaces in our built environment can make us all feel happier and healthier, and give something back to nature. There is also evidence emerging of the economic value of biodiversity enhancement, which will be a critical driver for the industry.”

The report also makes recommendations for updates to green building standards such as BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) and the Code for Sustainable Homes, moving towards better biodiversity and suggesting the development of metrics to measure how buildings impact biodiversity.

Category: Green Building Design 4,265 Comments »

Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition

This research report about Green Building Materials and Construction presents an in-depth analysis of the development, applications, products, technologies, manufacturers, and trends for products that help conserve energy in homes and buildings, reduce harmful environmental effects, and are themselves sustainable in terms of their composition and manufacturing. Rising costs for electricity, concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, diminishing fresh water supplies, deforestation, scarcity of raw materials, and a rapidly growing global population are among the key drivers of the development of new building designs, new construction techniques, and alternative building products and materials that are sustainable and minimize adverse environmental impacts. Although green building materials and green construction only represent a small fraction of the entire building industry, these segments have shown themselves to be resilient during the current economic recession and have actually gained market share during this period.

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of both green building materials and green construction, cost considerations that have limited their growth, government incentives that have spurred their growth, consumer and business demand, potential opportunities for additional growth, and an assessment of developing technologies that are making green building products and green construction the “new normal”. Projected growth through 2015 for both of these markets is provided including discussion of economic conditions, environmental impacts, consumer-business-builder acceptance, stakeholder concerns, and government activities as they affect growth rates. The report also profiles manufacturers and marketers of green building products and materials and the strategies they have adopted to maximize growth and profitability.

Scope and Methodology

This report includes both primary and secondary research. Secondary research data have been obtained from government sources, trade association publications, business journals, and company literature. Statistical data are included for industry revenue, both globally and for the United States. The market size for both green building materials and green construction is projected from 2010 to 2015.

Potential applications, development trends, environmental issues, consumer behavior, and energy considerations are also reviewed and analyzed. Market size estimates and forecasts are based on government and secondary sources, and the impact of factors such as government grants and incentives, environmental concerns, fuel and energy prices, economic considerations, and demand for sustainable and energy efficient products and buildings.

How You Will Benefit from this Report

If your company is involved in any aspect of the construction industry – from architectural design to building supplies to building construction and renovation to real estate sales and management – or if you are considering the purchase or construction of a new home or office building, or simply want to determine the myriad opportunities that exist within the burgeoning market for green building products and green construction, you will find this report invaluable. It provides a comprehensive package of information and insight about the green construction industry that is not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of what constitutes green building products and materials, where these products can be found, and how they are used. You will also gain a thorough understanding of the green construction market, its standards and certifications, and the trends towards more sustainable and energy efficient construction methods. Projected market growth through 2015 is also presented.

This report will help:

Marketing Managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for green building products, support services, and potential clientele.
Real Estate Agents and Developers understand the demand for green homes and buildings, costs, and the benefits derived when a structure is purchased and sold.
Builders and Contractors determine the market for green construction, certifications that can be used, government incentives, consumer and business demand, and sources for green building materials and products.
Research and Development Professionals remain abreast of emerging competitor initiatives, product applications, and the demand for alternative technologies that advance energy efficiency in homes and buildings.
Facilities Managers and potential Homeowners understand what it means to build green, how it can improve working and living conditions, the benefits of energy efficiency, incentives available for ameliorating initial costs, and how it affects re-sale, rents, and other intrinsic values.
Advertising Agencies working with clients in the construction and building supply industry to more effectively promote and market green building development and the materials and products used therein.
Information and Research Center Librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers, and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Chapter 2: Market Definition
Chapter 3: Market Size and Growth
Chapter 4: New Developments
Chapter 5: Competitive Profiles
Chapter 6: Demographics and Product Promotion
Product Promotion and Distribution
Appendix: Addresses

Category: Building Design And Construction 4,223 Comments »

Buying, Selling Or Renovating A Property Will Require The Services Of A Commercial Building Surveyor

Whether you have landlord issues or plan to buy, sell or renovate a property in the UK, the services of a commercial building surveyor might be necessary. You should hire a surveyor with professional training and accreditation through the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Hiring an individual with accreditation means that they will understand the governmental regulations that have to be followed when surveying your property.

What Surveying May Entail

If you are unsure of what a commercial building surveyor even does, you can rest assured they are well versed in a variety of building, demolition and compliance issues. Surveyors may be required for the inspection of a property in addition to proper measurement of said property to establish or confirm delineated boundaries. Analysis of the measurements, recommendations for property safety and asset protection are common for surveyor services as are recommendations for compliant additions, renovations or removal of property facets.

Do you know whether you will even need the services of a surveyor? Here are a few every day reasons why their services might be needed:

Assessing the Value of a Property

If you are in the market for new commercial property or you want a value of a property you already own, a commercial surveyor can help. Applying for financing of new construction on a property may require the need for surveying services. Assessing damages to a property from tenant destruction or even natural acts such as storms or fire also may require surveying services.

Disputes with Tenants or Landlords

You could be a commercial tenant with a filed complaint with a landlord or you could be a landlord dealing with the mess a tenant left behind. Either scenario could use a commercial building surveyor to deal with disputes such as improper maintenance of the property or unsafe additions. As a tenant, you could get a surveying report to prove your landlord has not lived up to the terms of your lease or even governmental safety requirements. As a landlord, you could use a surveyor’s report to prove that a tenant is overly destructive of a property as grounds to evict them.

Renovation and Construction Planning

If you are a property owner and plan to make significant changes to the land or buildings on the property, you will likely be required to obtain survey reports to appease existing tenants as well as to attain approval of governmental agencies for building, restoration or reconstruction. Risk assessments can also be performed on a property undergoing changes as well.

The bottom line is that whenever any major changes to a property are forthcoming, you need a quality assessment for all parties involved. A commercial building surveyor is the professional you should hire whether you need value or risk assessment or planning for construction, renovation or remodeling.

Category: Commercial Building Construction 4,188 Comments »

Home Building Plans

Green Buildings and Green Walls

Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition

Buying, Selling Or Renovating A Property Will Require The Services Of A Commercial Building Surveyor

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