Building Greener In The Big Smoke And Beyond

Many cities are trying to make their communities greener by building new residential structures with environmentally friendly features. This includes using sustainable materials, installing energy-efficient appliances, and creating spaces encouraging walking and biking.

Cities need people, and before the pandemic urban dwellers were younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials. However, a study by Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals young adults were moving away from cities to the suburbs.

Green Building Movement

However, all is not lost as the green building movement has been gaining popularity among people who care about their environment.

Commercial developers have been building green for some time, and we will mention some amazing examples in the property blog. Now residential developers realize the benefits of developing green buildings in urban centres like cities.

Let’s look at green building development, its benefits to the developer, homeowner, and residents and tips for building green.

Green Building

Green building refers to any construction that uses environmentally friendly materials and practices. It includes everything from choosing energy-efficient appliances to using recycled materials for flooring.

A green home uses energy efficiently and minimizes its impact on the environment. It helps reduce pollution by using less water and electricity than traditional homes. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions using sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled glass, and other eco-friendly products.

There are several benefits to green buildings. They use less energy than traditional buildings, reduce pollution, save money, and improve the quality of life.

Why People Love Green Buildings

In addition to being green, green buildings are also healthier than conventional ones.

USGBC found that people working and living in green buildings are happier and healthier than those living in traditional constructions. The researchers believe that the reason for this is that green buildings encourage residents to take better care of themselves.

Gen Z and Millennials

Gen Z and Millennials are more discerning about saving the planet. They will, given half a chance, choose who they work for and which home to buy or rent based on its eco-friendliness. The earth may just survive due to these generations, and let’s face it, we all need to do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint no matter how small that action is.

If most of a generation or more are making consumer choices based on sustainability and the environment, then businesses take notice.

Significant Commercial Green Buildings

There are more than a handful of impressive commercial buildings that are ‘green’, and they are not all in London or New York, including:

Marco Polo Tower, Germany

Park Royal Hotel, Pickering, Singapore

Residential Green Buildings

Timber is a renewable material, and many examples of commercial buildings are made entirely of it.

Sterling Bay, Chicago

This impressive timber structure is a 36-meter tall residential building in Chicago by developers Sterling Bay.

Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York

One impressive building using it in abundance is the Park Slope Condo complex in New York. From the outside, it looks like it fits in with the abundant concrete structures, but it’s anything but as the predominant material is wood.

Stepping into the interior of a condo (apartment), you could be forgiven for believing you’re in Copenhagen or another city in the Nordic region of Europe. The timber is where you want it – on the inside with exposed wooden beams, this property uses a lot of laminated wood and provides a brighter, lighter and greener lifestyle right in the heart of the big apple – New York.

In the UK, you’re more likely to see their establishing buildings getting a makeover, so they are more eco-friendly. Earning net zero carbon status is something to shout about, and there are many buildings in the UK now with it. Plus, property developers and landlords are providing other strategies to earn sustainability and environmentally friendly reputations including microflats and coliving dwellings.

How To Build A Green Home

You may wonder how you can get in on the green movement with your property.

A green home uses energy efficiently and minimizes its impact on the environment. It helps reduce pollution by using less water and electricity than traditional homes. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions using sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled glass, and other eco-friendly products.  Your home will be greener when it improves energy efficiency and uses sustainable materials.  Plus, your efforts to reuse and recycle also count.  🙂

Tips For Choosing An Energy Efficient Builder.

If you’re looking for a builder who will help you build a green home, there are some things you should consider. First, make sure the builder is licensed and insured. You should also ask them how they plan to meet LEED certification standards. These standards require builders to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into their construction process. Finally, find out what kind of insulation they use and whether they offer financing options.

How To Choose A Green Builder or Contractor

There are several ways to choose a green builder or contractor. One option is to search online for companies that specialize in green building. Another option is to contact local government agencies or organizations that promote sustainable development. A third option is to check with your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.