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Type: article
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Many of the business and living dwellings that are functional today are deeply flawed. At the time of their construction, these flaws were apparent, but no heed was given them because there were no alternatives. Structural understanding back then wasn’t as good as it is today. ‘Green living’ is a new term, which is becoming increasingly prominent in the world of construction.
Conventional Buildings
The conventional buildings that we use today have served many purposes, and have generally met the needs of their users. What nobody realized earlier, however, is that certain aspects of these structures can adversely impact users’ health. They can also have a harmful effect on the environment. Once all of this is recognized, it becomes easy to understand the importance of what has been termed ‘green design.’
Pitfalls of Conventional Building Design
Upon the introduction of green design, the negative aspects of conventional construction became better understood, but were nevertheless accepted. Some of these pitfalls include the following:
- An excessive use of energy
- The emission of greenhouse gases
- Problems associated with waste disposal
What’s more, these negative aspects can remain in effect for as many as 75 years, or even longer. Any one of these pitfalls should be enough to raise the alarm about the pressing need for change, and this is what green design is aimed at.
The Green Approach
The negative aspects of conventional building design must eventually be addressed and dealt with. Green design claims to do this by:
- Reducing the amount of resources used in construction
- Minimizing the cost of maintaining structures
- Reducing waste
- Reducing the impact on the environment
- Creating a healthier living space
All of these issues remain points of concern to anyone involved in green design. Hopefully, this concern will eventually carry over into the realm of public policy.