There are six elements which ASBP believe underpin the sustainability of construction:
Health & Well-being
Everything we experience within the built environment has a direct impact on our health and wellbeing. Promoting healthy living includes factors such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality, daylighting, acoustic performance, incorporation of natural elements, as well as avoidance of materials containing chemicals harmful to health.
Resource Efficiency
We live in a world of finite resources and the scale to which the built environment consumes (and wastes) materials is eye-watering. The waste hierarchy provides a simple and pragmatic framework. Aspects to consider include lean design enabling deconstruction, flexible and adaptable in use, the use of biogenic, reclaimed and local materials.
Whole Life Carbon
Reducing the carbon emissions from the materials, construction and use over a building’s life is the key challenge for our generation. Focus on a whole life approach, considering aspects such as the use of low embodied carbon products, the storage of biogenic carbon, and the minimising of energy in use.
Ethics and Transparency
The accelerated adoption of best practice requires unprecedented levels of collaboration. This means we need a better construction culture that engenders greater trust. Focus on what’s better about your method of project delivery in terms of aspects such as supply chain relationships, commitment to meeting standards and the integrity of your approach.
Technical Performance
Buildings should perform as intended. This requires a commitment to eliminating the performance gap and the adoption of building performance evaluation methods throughout the design, delivery and post occupancy stages. Aspects to consider include energy efficiency, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, water efficiency, acoustics and durability.
Social Value
Great buildings benefit local communities, have a positive impact upon those involved in delivery as well as the wider construction sector. This is enabled by an holistic approach and a commitment to training and knowledge sharing. Aspects to consider include how the project meets local needs, supports people and supply chains, impacts the natural environment, and benefits local history and culture.