You may be wondering why a lot of sustainable builders in Brisbane are coming up lately. As the impact of pollution and global warming becomes visible in our lives, a lot of people are driven to play their part in creating lasting change. Resource-efficient communities and low carbon are within reach, but we must build them. I would therefore argue the construction industry is a major player when it comes to sustainability. For this reason, builders have adopted the method of using sustainable materials and processes to build homes, business premises and other structures.

Reduce carbon emissions through construction

A lot of people may not realise the in shifting buildings to use energy-efficient and renewable materials. E.g., it is possible to construct high-performing buildings with a reduced carbon emission rate than what was done in the past years by replacing steel with renewable mass timber.

In addition to moving to more sustainable materials for construction, the construction industry is also modernising available structures through retrofitting. This makes buildings more efficient. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increases the life span of the structure. It makes spaces more desirable and healthier for occupants. A retrofit may include upgrades to HVAC systems, electrical systems and mechanical systems. It can improve the operating efficiency of the building.

A retrofit incorporates new building technologies that allow for efficient energy consumption, greater occupant comfort and a healthier indoor environment. While retrofitting can be a very important part of reducing emissions, sustainable builders are also increasing their efforts to ensure we are building greener houses from the beginning.

Building greener buildings

If you want to build a new office space, it is important to start by determining if you want to retrofit or build a new building. Retrofitting replaces what is an existing building with high-efficiency products and equipment. It can be a more sustainable route than garnering all the new resources to build a new building.

If your company wants to retrofit, the first step it should take is to get a baseline of the existing equipment and the conditions of the building – everything from insulation, HVAC system and the building envelope. After this, it is important to analyse and make the necessary decisions for the most economical and impactful improvements. A lot of companies start with low-cost and smaller measures such as upgrading the lighting system which will see immediate savings.

You can then consider larger projects such as improving the facility such as HVAC equipment replacement. If you are considering retrofitting and your company has to build a new building, it is important to consider a few factors.

The first thing you need to consider is the location and the impact of disrupting natural habitats. It is better to build in an urban area so that it is easily connected to the sewer line, electricity, and transportation. The second thing that sustainable builders Brisbane should consider is to design the building with an open floor plan and natural lighting to reduce electricity consumption.