Taking green building practices seriously
How is Galower taking green building practices seriously? In this article, we discuss how we are reducing our negative impact on the planet.
It may not always be easy but, just like every industry, construction has a vital role to play in reducing our negative impact (carbon footprint) on the planet. Achieving net zero emissions is the ideal: prioritising reduced emissions and compensating (offsetting) the balance that remains.
Achieving net zero
A net zero building is designed to emit no more carbon during its lifecycle -construction, operation, maintenance and eventual demolition – than it absorbs or offsets. Together with our client, the architect, we can employ a number of strategies. For example:
- Reducing embodied carbon: minimising the carbon footprint of the materials we use and the construction processes we follow.
- Cutting operational carbon: working with the architect to create energy-efficient homes in terms of heating, cooling and lighting.
- Incorporating renewable energy: planning and installing sustainable energy sources, eg, solar and heat pumps.
Green building practices: pressure is building
Pressure’s building to observe green building practices: the climate needs it, clients are expecting it, our government is insisting:
Regulatory pressure
As part of its emissions reduction strategy, the UK government has introduced stricter building regulations focusing on energy efficiency for new homes. For Galower’s large scale renovation projects, we take time to understand the regulations of individual local authorities which will depend on geography, demographics and existing infrastructure.
Client expectations
Our clients – architects and homeowners – are increasingly prioritising sustainability. Homeowners want properties that align with their environmental values while also offering long-term cost savings. Architects relish the challenge of designing homes that meet these needs.
Challenges in achieving net zero building
While the benefits of green building practices are clear, there are challenges to overcome:
1. Sourcing green building materials
Where possible, we recommend materials such as sustainable timber, recycled steel and low-carbon concrete. We work with engineered or cross-laminated timber (CLT) and opt for low-carbon concrete, such as those mixed with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) or fly ash.
Such materials can be more expensive and sometimes harder to source. But the supply chain for maturing as demand from architects and builders, like Galower, make it more sustainable.
2. Renewable energy systems
The most popular renewable energy systems are the air source heat pump and solar panels. We plan and instal both in new builds and, where possible, in our renovation projects.
Initial outlay for both is high while the payback period is typically between 5 and 10 years depending on factors like location, energy consumption, and whether any government incentives exist. As with all cutting edge technology, it’s improving all the time.
3. Renovating and retrofitting older properties
Renovating and retrofitting older buildings ticks a number of boxes: reusing and repurposing a property can be more carbon efficient than building new. And certainly, retaining the charm of another age while adding a modern twist is very attractive to homeowners and architects alike.
Galower has a great track record of working on older properties such as Victorian house, listed buildings, luxury warehouse and barn conversions.
In order to meet net zero requirements and modern energy standards we take a tailored approach. If we are gutting a building we can use structural changes to our advantage and plan the technical complexities of solar energy, air conditioning and underfloor heating. If space is at a premium – for example in urban locations – our job is to make room for all the ‘hidden’ services that modern, energy-efficient technology demands.
4. Embodied carbon in construction
As mentioned earlier, a significant proportion of a building’s total emissions (embodied carbon) is produced during construction, operation and maintenance. Galower’s processes help us reduce waste and energy, thereby playing a big role in our green building practices.
5. Balancing aesthetics with sustainability
For high-end clients, luxurious finishes and bespoke designs are a priority. Ensuring that these meet green building practices calls for creativity in design, build and process.
Embracing green building practices
In our experience, the most successful green building practices are those where early and continuous collaboration takes place between the architect, engineer, property-owners and ourselves, the professional builder. This kind of integrated team ensures that sustainability is embedded in every phase of the project.
For Galower Build, embracing green building practices not only ensures compliance with regulations but also aligns with client expectations for environmentally responsible homes.