Exploring Green Building and the Future of Construction

Undecided with Matt Ferrell

26 Jan 202113:32

Summary

TLDRThis video explores the future of sustainable architecture, focusing on net-zero and green buildings. Host Matt Ferrell discusses how construction and office buildings contribute to energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The video highlights innovations like smart glass, green roofs, and materials like fungus-based walls that reduce energy usage. Examples of successful net-zero buildings, such as London's Crystal and Seattle's Bullitt Center, are provided. The video also covers the challenges and benefits of transitioning to eco-friendly buildings, including cost, design innovations, and global green initiatives aimed at decarbonizing all buildings by 2050.

Takeaways

🌍 Buildings contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, accounting for 28% of energy-related emissions in 2019.
🏢 Net-zero and green buildings focus on reducing energy consumption and environmental impact by utilizing energy-efficient materials and renewable energy sources.
💡 Smart technologies like high-efficiency LED lighting, occupancy sensors, and advanced energy simulation tools help optimize building efficiency.
🏆 Certifications like LEED (USGBC) and BREEAM provide frameworks and ratings for sustainable building design, guiding owners in eco-friendly construction and operation.
🌞 Zero-energy buildings incorporate renewable energy sources like solar panels to offset power consumption and even supply surplus energy to the grid.
🍃 Retrofitting older buildings, like One Embankment Place and Powerhouse Kjørbo, shows that even existing structures can achieve significant energy and carbon reductions.
🏗️ The use of sustainable materials, such as mycelium-based insulation, is being explored for future eco-friendly construction methods, offering low-energy and biodegradable alternatives.
🔋 New technologies, like electrochromic glass, enable smart buildings to adjust to solar radiation and heat, reducing HVAC costs and improving overall energy efficiency.
🌆 Net-zero buildings are growing in popularity globally, with market value expected to more than double between 2018 and 2024, driven by policy changes and economic benefits.
💸 While initial costs for net-zero buildings may be higher, the long-term savings in energy and carbon-related expenses make them an appealing option for building owners.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video discussed in the transcript?
-The video focuses on green buildings, net-zero energy buildings, and sustainable construction methods aimed at reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
How do green buildings contribute to energy efficiency?
-Green buildings reduce energy consumption by utilizing energy-efficient materials, on-site renewable energy like solar panels, and design features such as green roofs, smart windows, and high insulation. These measures minimize the need for heating, cooling, and lighting.
What are net-zero buildings and how do they function?
-Net-zero buildings are designed to produce as much clean energy as they consume, often using on-site renewable energy sources like solar panels. They aim to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact by combining energy efficiency with sustainable materials and technology.
What are some international certifications for green buildings?
-Some international certifications include the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the U.K.'s BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). Both provide guidelines for sustainable building design and operations.
What technologies are used to optimize green building design?
-Technologies like 3D building energy simulation tools, such as Green Building Studio, Energy Plus, and IES Energy Modeling, are used to optimize the building's energy efficiency by simulating climate, HVAC systems, and building orientation before construction.
What is the significance of Siemens' Crystal building in London?
-The Crystal is one of the greenest buildings in the world, achieving Platinum LEED and Outstanding BREEAM certifications. It features triple-glazed windows, solar panels, rainwater collection, and a building management system that monitors energy and water use.
What are the challenges associated with constructing net-zero energy buildings?
-Challenges include higher construction costs due to expensive materials, limited availability of experienced designers and builders, and difficulties in generating enough energy for high-rise buildings with limited roof space for solar panels.
How do retrofitted buildings like One Embankment Place contribute to sustainability?
-Retrofitted buildings like One Embankment Place in London integrate energy-saving systems, such as a tri-generation cooling and heating system powered by recycled vegetable oil, green walls, and daylight harvesting. These changes significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
What are some innovative materials and technologies being explored for sustainable building construction?
-Innovative materials include mycelium, a fungal spore used to create biodegradable bricks and insulation. Technologies like electrochromic (smart) glass, which adjusts to control solar heat gain, are also being explored to reduce energy consumption.
Why are net-zero and green buildings expected to grow in popularity?
-The growth is driven by policies such as the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the increasing value of green buildings for owners through utility savings and higher building valuation, and growing awareness of their environmental benefits.

Outlines

00:00

🔋 Sustainable Energy Beyond Clean Sources

This section introduces the idea of reducing energy consumption by changing how buildings are constructed. It highlights green buildings, smart windows, and eco-friendly materials like fungus-based walls. The concept of net-zero buildings is explored, emphasizing their positive environmental impact. Matt Ferrell discusses how conventional materials like concrete and steel in construction contribute to pollution and high energy use, while net-zero buildings focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy integration to reduce environmental footprints.

05:04

🏢 Innovations in Net-Zero and Green Building Certifications

The section covers global certifications for green buildings, such as LEED from the U.S. and BREEAM from the U.K., both of which set standards for environmentally friendly construction. It explains how net-zero buildings strive to generate as much renewable energy as they consume, with features like solar panels, green roofs, and triple-pane windows to minimize energy needs. It stresses the importance of integrating sustainable, non-toxic materials, good air quality, and water efficiency in building designs, emphasizing the environmental and cost-saving benefits of such efforts.

10:06

💡 Advanced Energy Efficiency and Building Simulations

This part discusses the role of advanced software tools like Green Building Studio®, Energy Plus, and IES Energy Modeling in optimizing the design of green buildings. Engineers and architects use these simulations to analyze climate, HVAC systems, and materials, optimizing energy efficiency before construction even begins. High-profile examples, such as Siemens’ The Crystal in London and the Bullitt Center in Seattle, are presented to demonstrate how sustainable design can drastically reduce energy and water use while cutting operational costs.

🌍 Retrofitting Existing Buildings for Sustainability

The focus shifts to retrofitting older buildings for sustainability. Notable examples include One Embankment Place in London and Powerhouse Kjørbo in Norway. These buildings underwent renovations to include efficient ventilation, daylight harvesting, and renewable energy production, significantly reducing their energy needs and carbon emissions. Retrofitting can transform older buildings into green ones, as evidenced by the energy and cost savings achieved through innovations like using recycled materials and tri-generation systems fueled by waste vegetable oil.

📈 The Growing Market for Net-Zero Buildings

This section outlines the growth of the net-zero energy buildings market, expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2024. While construction costs for net-zero buildings remain higher than for conventional ones, the long-term benefits, such as reduced utility bills, increased property valuation, and insulation from energy price fluctuations, are driving adoption. Government policies, such as the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, are supporting this trend, pushing for nearly net-zero buildings in new construction from 2020 onward.

🔬 Exploring New Building Materials and Technologies

The section introduces innovative materials like mycelium, a fungus-based building material that is biodegradable, non-toxic, and energy-efficient to produce. The Hy-Fi Project in New York is an example of mycelium being used to create a temporary tower that was later composted. There’s also mention of NASA’s interest in using fungus for habitats on the Moon and Mars due to its strength and insulation properties. Additionally, Electrochromic Glass (Smart Glass) technology is explained, which can dynamically adjust the tint of windows to optimize indoor temperature and reduce HVAC costs.

💡 New Technologies Driving the Future of Green Buildings

This section highlights several technologies that could revolutionize building efficiency, including nanotechnology-based Electrochromic Glass, which adjusts window tint in response to sunlight to regulate indoor temperatures. Projects like Netflix's office in Los Gatos have adopted this technology, optimizing building energy use with automated, customizable systems. The narrative reinforces how new materials, technological innovations, and government incentives are collectively contributing to the rise of energy-efficient, net-zero buildings around the world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Net-zero buildings

Net-zero buildings are designed to produce as much energy as they consume, primarily through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels. In the video, these buildings aim to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency, and minimize environmental impact by integrating sustainable materials, energy-efficient windows, and systems like smart lighting. An example from the script is the Bullitt Center in Seattle, which uses geothermal systems and rainwater collection.

💡Green building

Green building refers to structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their life cycle. This includes design, construction, operation, and maintenance. The video discusses how green buildings can improve energy efficiency, reduce water usage, and lower CO2 emissions. An example mentioned is Siemens’ ‘The Crystal’ in London, which uses rainwater collection and natural lighting to save energy.

💡LEED certification

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized certification for green buildings, created by the U.S. Green Building Council. It provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving building designs. In the video, several buildings, like ‘The Crystal,’ are noted for achieving the highest Platinum LEED certification for sustainability.

💡BREEAM

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is another certification system, mainly used in the U.K., for evaluating the environmental performance of buildings. The video highlights it as an important standard for green buildings, with examples like the Powerhouse Kjørbo in Norway achieving outstanding BREEAM ratings after retrofitting.

💡Energy-efficient materials

Energy-efficient materials, such as triple-pane glass windows and low-emissivity coatings, are key to reducing energy consumption in buildings. These materials help improve insulation and control the heat flow within a building, reducing the need for heating or cooling. The video mentions these materials as essential components of net-zero and green buildings.

💡Mycelium building materials

Mycelium building materials refer to the use of fungus-based materials as a sustainable alternative in construction. The video explores how mycelium, a fungal spore, can be combined with agricultural products to create biodegradable bricks or insulation. These materials are energy-efficient and could play a role in future green construction efforts.

💡Electrochromic glass

Electrochromic glass, also known as smart glass, uses nanotechnology to adjust its tint in response to electrical charges, allowing control over how much solar radiation enters a building. This technology helps reduce HVAC costs by controlling heat from sunlight. The video mentions this as a futuristic innovation in building efficiency, with companies like View Inc. already implementing it in office buildings.

💡Retrofitting

Retrofitting refers to upgrading existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability. The video provides examples such as One Embankment Place in London, which was retrofitted to include a combined cooling, heat, and power system, significantly reducing energy consumption. Retrofitting is seen as a key step in reducing the environmental impact of older buildings.

💡Tri-generation systems

Tri-generation systems are advanced energy solutions that simultaneously produce electricity, heating, and cooling from a single energy source. In the video, One Embankment Place uses a tri-generation system powered by recycled waste vegetable oil, which helps reduce energy costs and carbon emissions by efficiently using resources to meet multiple energy needs.

💡Zero-carbon commitments

Zero-carbon commitments are initiatives by businesses, governments, or organizations to operate buildings without producing net carbon emissions. The video mentions the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, which aims to make all assets under participants’ control zero carbon by 2030, contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Highlights

Green buildings and net-zero energy construction help reduce CO2 emissions and lower energy costs.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED certification to rate the sustainability of buildings.

Net-zero buildings aim to produce as much energy as they consume, utilizing renewable energy like solar power.

The Crystal building in London uses rainwater collection and solar panels to meet energy needs and save on costs.

Seattle's Bullitt Center is made of locally sourced wood and includes triple-glazed windows for improved heat control and daylighting.

The Siemens Building Management System tracks water and energy consumption in real-time at The Crystal.

The Powerhouse Kjørbo project in Norway retrofitted 1980s buildings, reducing energy use by 86% while generating renewable energy on-site.

Building new net-zero structures increases construction costs by around 6.2% to 17%, depending on techniques used.

Green and net-zero buildings can increase property value, reduce energy costs, and improve occupant well-being through better air quality.

The Bullitt Center stores rainwater in a 56,000-gallon cistern, treating it for both potable and non-potable use.

The mycelium brick project by The Living Studio explores biodegradable building materials made from fungi and agricultural waste.

Electrochromic (Smart) Glass technology adjusts window transparency using nanotechnology to control solar radiation and heat.

The UK Green Building Council's study shows that net-zero offices built from 2025 will cost slightly more than standard offices.

Apple Park, the largest LEED Platinum-certified building, is an example of large-scale green and sustainable architecture.

Future innovations like using mycelium bricks and smart windows can reduce building energy use, but widespread adoption remains challenging due to higher costs and technical expertise.