With the increase in the change in the climatic conditions and the near depletion of natural resources that were once thought to withstand depletion caused by constant use, the stakeholders in the built environment all-round the globe are striving towards popularizing the concept of sustainable construction that will reduce the level of pollutants emitted from buildings.

What is green building?

The green building concept is a sustainable construction method that has been trying to outpace the traditional building techniques from the early 1970s, putting into consideration the necessary mitigation measures that have the ability to conserve the environment.

Several countries such as Canada, Japan, China, India, USA, UK and Australia have adopted this concept. This leaves us with many questions about the adoption of Green Building technology in Kenya. How many architects and builders have incorporated this concept in their construction? Are clients aware of this concept? Do the construction professionals advice clients on the incorporation of this concept in their buildings?

A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.

Features of a Green Building

Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life. There are a number of features which can make a building ‘green’.

These include:

  • Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
  • Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
  • Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
  • Good indoor environmental air quality
  • Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
  • Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
  • Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
  • A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment

Any building can be a green building, whether it’s a home, an office, a school, a hospital, a community centre, or any other type of structure, provided it includes features listed above.

However, it is worth noting that not all green buildings are – and need to be – the same. Different countries and regions have a variety of characteristics such as distinctive climatic conditions, unique cultures and traditions, diverse building types and ages, or wide-ranging environmental, economic and social priorities – all of which shape their approach to green building.

Mark Kyallo, a professional urban planner and designer, noted the rise in demand for green building technologies and the need to advise investors on it. He says:

“I have come across the concept of Green Building and clients, especially in residential front want clean solar energy systems incorporated into the design works.”

He adds:

“We try to conserve the environment as much as possible when designing structures. We acknowledge that green technology is the heartbeat of sustainable development and is the trendsetter as a design consideration. Professionals really need to advise on what is workable to serve the intended purpose.”

Kyallo also encourages investors to take part in decision making when it comes to the proposal of green technology designs to be incorporated in their buildings.

Top Green Buildings in Kenya as certified by the Kenya Green Building Society.

  • Strathmore Business School
  • Pope Paul VI Learning Resource Center at Catholic University of East Africa
  • Sandalwood Waterfront
  • UNEP Building in Nairobi.

Green Building Designs that can be incorporated in buildings.

According to the Ecohomes Planning and Design Guide, there are some of the trends that can be used in green buildings designs.

  1. Water conservation measures
    The supply of freshwater is set to reduce due to the constantly changing climate. Professionals should try to incorporate rainwater catchment systems and the use of more water conserving fittings.
  2. Use of solar panels
    Solar panels are useful when it comes to the generation of clean renewable energy especially in areas with sufficient amount of sunlight. This helps in cutting the cost of electricity.
  3. Use of carbon footprint calculator
    This is a technology that is used to calculate the amount of energy and the impact of carbon that is in construction products. Through this, non-toxic building materials can be easily evaluated for building healthy homes.

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