Becoming more sustainable isn’t just about dealing with waste at the end of the pipeline. The design phase is critical so the things we make last longer, are fit for purpose, and are easily reused, repurposed, repaired, or recycled.
No other industries contribute a greater volume of waste than the construction and demolition sector – around half of all waste.
During their life, buildings have a big footprint from the energy they use. Designing buildings to reduce or eliminate waste during construction, be energy efficient, fit for purpose, long lasting and promote the wellbeing of the people who use them, is vital.
These goals are at the centre of DCA Architects of Transformation’s thinking, says Hawke’s Bay Area Manager Marie Fleming. “We take a longer-term view on a building because it has a big impact on so many aspects – from the urban infrastructure to the wellbeing of the people who use it.”
They aim to design buildings which have as little waste as possible during construction, are fit for purpose so they have a long useful life, are durable and easy to maintain.
Marie has been instrumental in growing the region’s network of sustainability-focused building professionals over the past five years. The industry is starting to get on board, she says, particularly as climate standards for new government buildings including Greenstar-rated builds and reducing the ‘whole of life’ embodied carbon are implemented.
The result is upskilling in the industry with its flow-on effects – buildings which create less waste, last longer, are more energy efficient and overall nicer places to be.
Read the full article: Home-grown sustainability work in the Bay | First published by BayBuzz