The planning, design, construction, and operation of buildings and communities have a significant direct and indirect impact on our environment. In addition to consuming resources like labour, energy, and raw materials, buildings also produce waste and potentially hazardous atmospheric emissions. Planners, designers, and builders face a special challenge in meeting demands for new and renovated facilities that are accessible, secure, healthy, efficient, and productive while minimising their impact on the environment. This is because both the global and local economies and populations are continuing to grow.

With the proliferation of sustainable (green) building practises around the world, this concept of sustainable building is becoming more and more prevalent throughout the building and development industry.  The principles of sustainable building are similar, regardless of the system under which they are applied.  To build and develop sustainably, we must:

• Protect and integrate buildings with the natural environment.
• increase energy efficiency
• Reduce water consumption.
• Promote the reuse and regional use of building materials.
• Reduce building waste and pollution.
• Protect occupant health and increase wellbeing 

These principles must be integrated into the planning, design, and construction processes by regional and community planners, real estate developers, funding agencies, architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers to create buildings and communities that benefit all of the stakeholders, including end users and the environment.  

In addition, and even more importantly, due to the sheer quantity of existing building stock compared to newly constructed buildings (10 to 1 in most developed cities), these sustainable principles also apply to existing buildings to better conserve resources, reduce the carbon footprint,  and promote occupant well-being.  

Just as important as their creation is ensuring that green buildings and green communities are operated and maintained as they were designed after construction through on-site measurement and verification and real time monitoring. Green buildings and communities lose their benefits if they are not operated and maintained over their productive lifetime.

benefits of sustainable building

There are several environmental benefits to sustainable building. These benefits include reduced pollution and waste and the restoration or preservation of natural resources.

Sustainable buildings have better indoor air and light quality.  Reduced levels of pollutants and toxins in the indoor environment and more natural daylight help people feel better and maintain their sense of well-being.  Studies have shown that this leads to increased productivity and occupant health in the built environment.  Furthermore, the use of sustainable materials has the same quality as that of non-sustainable materials, but sustainable materials are often more durable or healthier. Local or regional economies also benefit as these materials are sourced near the project site.  

Sustainable buildings are generally more energy efficient than traditional buildings (up to 40% or more).  Better site and system design, proper equipment sizing, and a tightly sealed envelope all contribute to a reduced need for heating and cooling.  With constrained global energy resources, energy efficient buildings create value for the owner and provide grid relief for utilities. 

How can Beyond Smart Cities help?

Beyond Smart Cities delivers complete sustainable building and community solutions for all project stakeholders.  One of Beyond Smart Cities’ primary purposes is to consult with clients and guide  them through an integrated sustainable design and construction process to obtain sustainable certification from nationally recognised sustainable rating systems such as the USGBC.  We are assisting clients in this endeavour with projects of varying sizes, from individual buildings to entire neighbourhoods and communities. 

Through the certification process, the client can increase the asset value of his or her  building and gain increased occupancy rates, higher rents, and fewer employee absences. In addition, the owner of a green facility can illustrate his commitment to the community at large regarding participation in the mitigation of climate change. 

Projects outside of smart cities include mid- to high-rise residential and office buildings, as well as mixed-use facilities. Other projects include large hotels and resort projects such as beachfront resorts, resort communities, and multiple tower hotels.  In all of these facilities, we implement solutions for our clients that reduce water and energy use, improve their air quality, reduce toxins, and increase the use of healthy and resource efficient materials. These sustainable facilities also reduce waste during construction by using responsible construction practises. Beyond Smart Cities utilises in house expertise and proprietary tools to ensure that client projects achieve maximum value for their sustainable buildings before, during, and after construction.

Beyond smart cities, sustainable new and existing building projects include:

• Commercial office buildings
• Commercial retail and mall facilities
• high- and mid-rise residential buildings
• Hotel and hospitality facilities
• K-12 schools and higher education facilities
• Healthcare, medical clinics, and pharmaceutical facilities
• Government Buildings
• Utility facilities
• Industrial  and logistics buildings
• Single family residences
• Community clusters and neighbourhoods