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Climate Change Corner

Sustainable Buildings

Sustainable buildings are commonly associated with green buildings i.e. designed to address aspects of energy, water, building materials, waste management and low carbon performance. Guidelines such as those found in HK-BEAM and LEED certification standards are helpful for building professionals seeking to meet these requirements. This is not to suggest that such standards are insufficient for sustainability purposes, far from it, BEAM Plus and LEED platinum certified buildings are hallmarks of sustainability excellence anywhere.

Ultimately, it is possible that sustainable buildings of the future will become self-contained in terms of resource needs. Energy will be provided internally by renewable energy technologies and supplemented by the grid. In cases where excess energy is produced, building owners can sell power back to the utilities. With rainwater harvesting systems and micro-filtration beds, water will be recycled many times and mini-composters will deal with organic waste to nurture plants in roof gardens and vertical green walls. The green landscaping will become an aesthetic feature for the pleasure and recreation needs of inhabitants as well as a means of growing food.

Sustainable building designers and engineers further need to consider occupancy factors to make buildings optimal for human comfort. Use of building automation systems can control the indoor environment efficiently and comfortably. But if we consider the opportunities offered by further advances in technology in the future, sustainable buildings will contain technologies like wi-fi, RFID, and smart cards that will ensure that inhabitants enjoy access to facilities and support as and when needed. This will be important in buildings where the deployment of wireless systems will allow flexible working across the entire building and the ability to gather information anywhere. Young children can be closely monitored in a non-intrusive manner to help in their growth and development, and elderly occupants can command assisted means of transport when required.

On that subject, ageing populations will be a new paradigm in the way that buildings will need to be designed for accessibility, utilization and security in the future. The WHO estimates that by 2050, one person in five will be over 60 years old.

Lastly, sustainable buildings must not just provide green and livable conditions but will also be a crucial means of maintaining a harmonious society. Evidence exists to show that well-designed communal facilities like open spaces, convening places and green landscaping result in stable and better balanced communities - which ultimately is the goal for sustainability.

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This article is contributed by Dr. Thomas S.K. Tang, Director, Corp Sustainability & Initiatives, Asia of AECOM with the co-ordination of the Environmental Division.