What is green building and how does it contribute to the environment?

At present, the materials most used for the construction of houses are brick, ceramics, stainless steel, wood, reinforced concrete and iron. Nevertheless, their use has been proven to have a disastrous impact. To break with this harmful paradigm, the bioconstruction technique has begun to be used to take care of the environment.

The extraction of the aforementioned materials supposes an increase in the emission of atmospheric pollutants, in addition to radically accelerating the depletion of natural resources. Let's see what the alternative is.

What is green building and how is it related to the environment?

One of the most interesting definitions of this concept is provided by Cristina Rubio Picazo, in her work presented at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. There he mentions that green building is the construction harmonizable with life that involves deference to the environment.

In this way, Rubio Picazo deepens, bioconstruction encompasses all forms of architecture that attempt to determine harmonic connections between the environment, the habitat, the built and the people who occupy that site.

Why is it important for the environment?

Green building is important for the environment because it proposes the conscious manipulation of the natural attributes of the habitat, as well as natural resources and technologies that do not pollute.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that we try to generate with this technique a healthier architecture, with less environmental impact, less violent and more effective, through an overcoming management of social, physical and economic conditions.

What are the advantages of an ecological house?

One of the main advantages that ecological houses have is thermal insulation, according to an article published in the journal Contexto of the Faculty of Architecture of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. This characteristic implies greater comfort and less harmful impact on the environment.

Another advantage of living in an ecological house has to do with energy and economic savings for the inhabitants of that home. This is accomplished through items such as water-saving devices, energy-saving fluorescent lamps, and solar heaters.

What materials are used in green building to protect the environment?

Fátima Yahyane, in her final thesis work for the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, explains that the most important factors to take into account when choosing bioconstruction materials have to do with thermal and acoustic insulation, home breathability, recycling and reuse, do not generate electrostatic charges and do not produce radioactivity in high degrees.

Low radioactive materials

Some non-radioactive materials that you can use are limestone, gravel, lime, sand and gypsum. Wood is also recommended, since, in addition to not being radioactive, it has the particularity of absorbing it.

Odorless or pleasant-smelling materials

An important fact to take into account in relation to bioconstruction materials is that these, in addition to being resistant and not producing toxic or polluting substances, They must not emanate any kind of dust, particles, vapors or scents that harm health.

Materials for antivibration and acoustic protection

Living in a home with high degrees of noise pollution causes severe consequences on the health of the inhabitants, an example of which is nervousness, stress and extreme fatigue. Therefore, the following is recommended:

• Mitigate airborne noise pollution– High-density insulating materials, such as adobes, straw bales, thermo-clay, or dense ceramic blocks.

• Reduce impact noises: low-density insulating materials, such as natural fiber wool.
• Build partitions with sound protection: insulating materials in the style of hemp, wood, cellulose, linen or natural cork fibers.

Unadulterated natural materials

It is called biomaterials or biocompatible To them materials more related to the bioenergetic and biological nature of the human being. They interact with the house, making the house behave as a living set. Among them are bamboo, wood, linen and cork.

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What must be taken into account to achieve a sustainable home?

To achieve a sustainable home, however, it is not enough to have a green house that is friendly to the environment. What's more, it is necessary to implement techniques and lifestyle habits in relation to waste, such as reuse of objects and recycling.

Other important recommendations to consider are the following:

• Buy cleaning products that are environmentally friendly or have a low level of contamination.
• Minimize energy consumption gas, electricity and water; do not leave equipment running if it is not in use.
• Buy regionally produced food to reduce the energy costs involved in moving long distances.

You can read: 10 tips for home maintenance that will help avoid inconveniences

The environment and bio-construction from the point of view of art

In her work for the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Cristina Edo Feced supports the importance of using biomaterials, not only for the bioconstruction of houses, but also for the creation of contemporary artistic works.

The author defends her work from practice, since she herself carried out artistic productions using biocompatible materials, in order to generate feelings of comfort and well-being in the viewers of said works.

Finally, Cristina Edo Feced refers to other contemporary artists who also work with biomaterials and bioconstruction technicians in their works, such as the visual artist Daniel Canogar, representative of the movement land art, and the Spanish artist and designer Marc Grañén.