What is sustainable construction?
Table of contents
What is sustainable construction?
Why invest in or buy into sustainable projects?
Arquitectura y Concreto's sustainable buildings
Today we face one of the world's biggest challenges: climate change, which is the way the world is trying to tell us about the impact we humans are having on the environment. It's worth noting that we're constantly changing, which involves developing new technologies, solutions and tools that let us live as we do now; therefore, to make the most of everything working in our favor in terms of innovation in the construction sector, we must think about sustainable construction that protects the environment and minimizes the impacts we generate.
It's important to think about this kind of initiative for building sustainable housing projects , since, according to data published by Nueva Tribuna, for more than 15 years organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have highlighted that 97% of climate change is due to human activities such as deforestation, increased gases, fertilizer use, livestock farming, chemical treatment of wastewater, burning of fossil fuels and transportation, among others; and although this climate effect doesn't work or affect all countries and regions of the world equally, we must start with small contributions that reduce the effect of our actions on the world.
What is sustainable construction?
The most effective and direct way we at Arquitectura y Concreto can change our ways of life is by committing to eco-friendly construction, since we understand the planet's needs and the social and environmental responsibility that the full effect of climate change on people's lives entails. That's why we'll explain in more detail what sustainable construction is.
When we refer to sustainable housing projects or sustainable construction we mean a building that respects the environment from the choice of construction materials, the construction process and the use of the urban environment, to demolition and waste use and management. It's all part of properly reusing natural resources, using space efficiently, saving energy and water, and using renewable energy.
For this whole process, builders or companies must meet a series of requirements that affect how buildings are constructed:
Use of renewable energy that doesn't emit gases.
Construction must optimize and use energy and water efficiently.
Use of solar energy and natural ventilation.
Building on a suitable ecosystem without abruptly disrupting it.
Use of recyclable materials to extend the building's useful life and reduce pollution.
Improving the lives and well-being of residents.
Why invest in or buy into sustainable housing projects?
Committing to sustainable construction is a way of thinking about the future and environmental sustainability, since sustainable housing projects bring benefits and contributions to the economy, social well-being and, of course, care for the planet.
Environmental benefits
Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.
Improved air and water quality.
Less solid waste is produced.
Natural resources are conserved more efficiently.
Economic benefits
Lower costs.
Properties appreciate thanks to the use of natural resources.
Better use of the resources employed and buyer satisfaction from knowing that non-renewable resources are being used wisely.
Social benefits
Improved acoustic, thermal and atmospheric environments.
Contribution to improving quality of life globally.
As Propiedades notes, ‘in energy terms alone, sustainable buildings can save up to 60% of energy compared to a conventional home.’
And how do I know I'm investing in eco-friendly construction?
If you decide to invest in sustainable construction in Colombia , it must have some type of sustainable project certification; for this, you can rely on the advisors of the builder you choose to inform you about the sustainable practices applied in their project, and you can also ask whether they hold any of the most common sustainability certifications in the Colombian market: LEED, EDGE and CASA Colombia.
LEED: developed by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), it's the world's most popular certification system, evaluating the design, construction, maintenance and operation of sustainable buildings.
EDGE: developed by the IFC (International Finance Corporation), it's an international system that evaluates efficiency in water consumption, energy consumption and embodied energy in the materials used to construct the building. A certified project is guaranteed to use at least 20% less water and energy than the base project.
CASA: developed by the CCCS (Colombian Green Building Council), it focuses on the comprehensive certification of housing projects adapted to the Colombian context, taking into account people and their quality of life, to create prosperous, healthy environments that respect the environment.
Sustainable construction at Arquitectura y Concreto
At Arquitectura y Concreto we have sustainable options for you and your family, the perfect opportunity to invest in your new home while helping protect the environment from home.
We New Home
This sustainable housing project is located in an exclusive, strategic area of Medellín, has a cutting-edge architectural design and holds preliminary EDGE certification, which validates the sustainability efficiency of all We New Home apartment types in energy consumption, water consumption and embodied energy in materials.
This is an apartment project in Bogotá that is part of the Nueva Colina macro-project. Its design is inspired by people looking to buy their first home, university students seeking independence, and couples starting their families. The project will implement measures to save water, energy and embodied energy in materials.
This is another of the sustainable buildings in Colombia. It is located in Barú, Cartagena , an ideal project for those who know how to enjoy nature surrounded by the utmost exclusivity. We registered towers 1 and 2 for LEED FOR RESIDENTIAL certification, which will endorse the sustainability strategies defined for the project. Meanwhile, Hotel Calablanca holds LEED design certification and is in the process of LEED construction certification.
Contact one of our expert advisors through our website to learn more about our environmental sustainability certifications and our sustainable buildings in Colombia.