Principles of Sustainable Construction - Research Paper Example

 Principles of Sustainable Construction Introduction There has been an increased desire for the general economy to own property both from the private to public sectors. A report by the World Bank in the year 2012 establishes that property ownership is the current investments trends. Due to such demands, it is only in order if the construction firms or organizations can design and construct sustainable properties for development. It is because properties provide for the productive environment, creates healthy surroundings and the primary tasked is that they reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources in the society. As such, sustainable building aspires to minimize adverse effects on the environment, enhance the safety of the building occupants leading to high standards of the building performance. Therefore, the outlined merits associated with the building motivated me to carry out research with the locals to find out of what principles a construction company has to follow to come up with a good building design. The study hence tries to find out the guideline procedures that construction firms like the German property development company should use to provide for the sustainable development features. The research, therefore, establishes literature review and collection of data from the field to provide for an extensive finding as to what procedures or changes should be made to the existing principles to make them better. The results are then analyzed by tables that helped us to draw analysis from conclusions. Literature review The existence of knowledge regarding sustainable construction has been provided before, and it is not such a new topic. The study conducted by Hill and Bowel (1997), on sustainable building, observes that construction is majorly outlined into four categories of social, economic, biophysical and technical. The entire three criterions have principles provided in checklists as to how they would be achieved in the project cycle. Indeed, the various stages require an environmental assessment along the project line. To this sustainable constructions is also supported by (Berke, & Conroy 2000), in their study of planning for sustainable developments, they argue that each and every project that the constructions firms undertake should be one that has a future. Hence, as the constructors pursue their projects, they should construct durable buildings that provided for future growth. The state is neither left behind to motivate for the sustainability of the construction buildings. (Bonham 2013), in his study leading by examples, observes that state machinery and the government at large have constructed and embraced well-constructed firms and urges any company that tries to venture in the construction sector to make sustainability their priority. Therefore, each and every organization in the buildings sector should employ a well-formulated procedure that is required in the building standards. The research by Maki (2012) while assessing the sustainability of the building finds out that the constructions are well up to tasked. Thus, any given incoming venture like the German construction company must have good principals if they are to remain attractive to the industry. Research methods Our research methods were based on the qualitative study so that we could obtain firsthand information from the field. A sample of 1500 participants was selected from the city of Berlin. The samples were divided into groups of 1000 members provided with questions while the remaining was followed by phone interviews. We formulated questions as what principles of construction matter to them most and the reason they think so. The interviews and questionnaire though were voluntary, and the participants were allowed to walk out or not to answer the questions. The outcome of the data was very confidential, and the respondents also remained anonymous. It was because we valued our participants and the security of the information obtained. The response and findings of the study were recorded for analysis. The question of research was stated as below; Of what principles do you think are the crucial principles that a construction firm should follow for sustainability development? Why do you think so? Support your answer by providing two examples necessary in a construction site? Findings Of the selected participants, 15% did not provide the feedback while we follow up of them was also in vain. The participants’ respondent with what principles they viewed was based for the construction firms to develop. Of the response we got from the participants, 300 of the citizens believed that companies should embrace integrated design principles where the identified team and procedures that are outlined in the construction should be followed to the latter. The procedures and the people who are hired should be maintained till the end of development and can only be changed when necessary. Furthermore, 200 of the respondents had a diversified viewed as to what principles should be followed. They observe that firms should embrace optimization of energy performance that takes into consideration of the users or the occupants of the building. They propose use of efficient energy and renewable sources as they would help conserve the various energy sources Of the remaining participants, 400 respondents observe that firms should use environmental quality construction. In this case, they cited ventilation or the air conditioning, moisture within the building and light penetration. 100 participants also proposed the use of water conservation measures and protection and the use of materials that are less harmful to the environment. They cited the use of waste management systems during construction, elimination of toxic gasses while maintaining safe and recycled water within the system. The remaining 200 participants had mixed reactions and were difficult to categorize them; hence it was like they were not aware of any principles required for the sustainability of the construction of properties. The above observations are represented in the table below. Principle for sustainability Response Percentages Optimization of energy 300 25 Use of design principles 200 17 Ensure environmental quality 400 33 Use of water conservation and safe environmental use 100 8 Not aware. 200 17 The bar graph below shows a representation of the response outcomes Key 1. Energy optimization 2. Design principles 3. Environmental quality construction 4. water conservation and environmental 5. Not aware After the representation of the data into table and graph, it was necessary to determine the reliability of the test outcome. Hence, I use the discourse analysis by the use of statistical measures as the z-score. The study hence came up with the null and alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis was represented by H0 states that, there is no variability in the research outcome. The alternative hypothesis observed variability on the research outcome and was denoted by H1. The mean of the observation was estimated to be 240 while the standard deviation was 114.0 while the sample was 1200. Hence, the z-calculated becomes 8.4. Assuming z-score table of 1.96, we do not reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there was no variability in the data collected and conclude that the findings are correct and can be used to draw interpretations and advice for the sustainability construction of properties. Conclusions From the observations from the findings above, we can summarize that there are four major principles that the German company could use to construct sustainable properties. They include but not limited to, optimizing energy use, use of design principles, environmental quality and water and environmental safety. Environmental quality was the highest going by the response from the participants. The German firm should construct buildings that allow for ventilation in and around the properties. The free flow of air reduces chances of the disease spreads such as airborne diseases (Pitt, Tuckey, Riley & Longden 2009). The property should also allow for moisture that helps the inhabitants to regulate the temperature in and around the building. The improved circulations also minimize disturbance from the neighbors, for instance, those who smoke around the building. Another principle provided for by the research is the use of design principles as outlined in the procedure or regulation of construction of a particular property. The participants noted that, many a times, the constructors do change processes or outline as prescribed earlier. This affects the sustainable of many properties, and it is better if they would stick to the advice by the architectures. It is also important that before beginning the construction, the firm should identify a quality team that will oversee the completion of the project. It is common knowledge that many contractors do change personnel along the way that comprise the project under construction (Edwards & Turrent 2002). When the teams are altered, procedures are bound to change, and the sustainability of the property is comprised. Hence, the German firm should stick to his construction team in the projects they plan to cover. The participants were proposed the use of principles that optimizes energy and providing for the safe water environmental operation environment. The company should employ the use of such sources of energy that are renewable and efficient while undertaking constructions. While at the project sites, the organization must have such materials that clear waste materials from the construction site (Lützkendorf & Lorenz 2005). It is to ensure that environmental pollutions are minimized. This waste includes corrosion of the soils due to mixtures and air pollution that affects the human life. Therefore, such actions as water pollutions for the inhabitants are reduced ensuring sustainability of the construction of properties. I therefore rest my case with the findings and conclusions that is provided above. I do believe that they give a good insight for the company to apply the above principles while providing for the sustainable properties. The findings are well articulated and trustable and I think the company should embrace them. Nonetheless, the implementation decision rests with the company and I hope they consider my study. References Berke, P. R., & Conroy, M. M. (2000). Are we planning for sustainable development? An evaluation of 30 comprehensive plans. Journal of the American planning association, 66(1), 21-33. Bonham, M. B. (2013). Leading by example: new professionalism and the government client. Building Research & Information, 41(1), 77-94. Edwards, B., & Turrent, D. (Eds.). (2002). Sustainable housing: Principles and practice. Taylor & Francis. Fowler, K. M., Goel, S., & Henderson, J. W. (2013). Boise Air Traffic Control Tower: High Performance and Sustainable Building Guiding Principles Technical Assistance (No. PNNL-22422). Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US). Hill, R. C., & Bowen, P. A. (1997). Sustainable construction: principles and a framework for attainment. Construction Management & Economics, 15(3), 223-239. Lützkendorf, T., & Lorenz, D. (2005). Sustainable property investment: valuing sustainable buildings through property performance assessment. Building Research & Information, 33(3), 212-234. Maki, P. L. (2012). Assessing for learning: Building a sustainable commitment across the institution. Stylus Publishing, LLC.. Mitchell, G. (2006). Problems and fundamentals of sustainable development indicators. Ortiz, O., Castells, F., & Sonnemann, G. (2009). Sustainability in the construction industry: A review of recent developments based on LCA. Construction and Building Materials, 23(1), 28-39. Pitt, M., Tucker, M., Riley, M., & Longden, J. (2009). Towards sustainable construction: promotion and best practices. Construction innovation, 9(2), 201-224. Read More