Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings and their consumption of energy, water, and materials. Eco-building reduces construction damages to human health and the environment, without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.

SLP has completed many building projects in varying levels of “greenness”, and offers consulting services in alternative sustainable building methods, energy efficient building solutions and green products. SLP project manages the complete process, bringing energy efficient and environmentally sound homes or commercial buildings to life.

Sustainable building does not require extensive resources.

Natural building uses abundant, available, renewable, reused or recycled materials.

Some choices may cost more up-front, but ultimately they pay for themselves within a reasonable period. As a quick guide, these are eight critical considerations for sustainable building:

1. ‘Recycle’ existing old buildings rather than building new ones on more land.

2. Use materials that have a lower ‘embodied energy’ – i.e. use less energy in their production. For example, unfired bricks have lower embodied energy than fired bricks do.

3. Design the building with ‘passive solar’ features to keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In houses and offices this will reduce or eliminate the need for air-conditioners.

4. Maximise natural lighting – this saves electricity.

5. Use renewable energy where financially feasible. For houses, a solar water heater is cost-effective and saves a substantial amount of cumulative electricity.

6. Choose local materials where feasible, in order to reduce transport environmental impacts.

7. Promote a healthy natural environment around and in the building, for example, by keeping paved surfaces to a minimum.

8. Ideally, choose a site that will minimise occupant travelling distances.

---