Sustainable Building Trends For 2022
As industries across the board pledge to become carbon-neutral and distance themselves from fossil fuels, construction is working hard to keep up. This is part of a holistic approach to sustainability, which looks at a company's needs as a whole. With construction responsible for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon emissions around the world, it makes sense that facilities would look to sustainable building trends in order to help minimize this impact. Here are the biggest ones to watch for 2022:
1. Design that optimizes occupant health.
If there's anything that the pandemic taught us, it's the importance of adequate ventilation. Sustainability and ventilation have long been at odds -- while good air quality is important, reducing energy waste often means sealing buildings up tightly to avoid letting too much heated or cooled air out. Now, builders and facility managers alike are shifting toward creating healthier indoor spaces through air filtering and a careful balance of climate-controlled air and outdoor air. Healthy design doesn't end there, either. Expect it to grow to encompass sound-canceling interiors, a greater emphasis on natural light, and the incorporation of more wood, stone, and live plants.
2. A greater push for renewable power.
Advances in solar panel and wind turbine technology are making renewable power more accessible. Some innovative turbine designs are small enough for individual buildings to have their own, alongside solar panels. Improvements in battery technology are also making renewable power a stronger competitor for conventional energy. Experts anticipate that solar power alone to account for about half of the new electric generating capacity in 2022. This isn't just a good idea from a sustainability standpoint, either -- it's also smart when it comes to disaster preparedness. Facility managers know what can happen when a building becomes disconnected from the grid. Having an independent source of renewable power could be the difference between a minor disruption, and a disaster.
3. Bamboo and composite materials.
While builders and interior designers are working on new natural and sustainable designs, some materials are getting their time in the spotlight. Neither composites nor bamboo are new ideas, but they may be the wave of the future. Bamboo grows fast and is invasive in many areas of the U.S. It also makes attractive, durable flooring with properties akin to hardwood. It's naturally resistant to rot and costs less per square foot than most wood. Composite materials, like roofing shingles, insulation, or fencing, are made of bits of wood, recycled materials, and even stone. Some are made of waste products from other industries. Many of them allow for the traditional, biophilic look of natural materials while requiring fewer resources and offering better durability. Facility managers looking to cut down on the waste and expense of replacing worn-out conventional materials may wish to look at composite alternatives.
4. Smart glass windows and doors.
Glass is tricky. Nobody wants to spend hours a day in a building without windows, and natural light helps cut down on the use of electric lighting, but glass windows are also a major problem when it comes to avoiding leaks, drafts, and hot spots. That's where smart glass comes in. Smart glass is somewhat like the transition lenses used for glasses, in that it responds by altering its color or opacity based on environmental conditions. In summer, the glass increases its opacity to keep sunlight from heating up interiors. In winter, it can decrease its opacity in order to allow sunlight to warm up indoor air, and make the most of the few hours of daylight available.
5. Reduced embodied carbon.
Embodied carbon is the greenhouse gasses emitted from extracting, processing, and transporting raw materials. Some building materials, particularly those that need to be shipped long distances, resulting in more carbon emissions than others. You can think of embodied carbon as a building's carbon footprint the second it's completed before it becomes operational. Piggybacking on the push for more natural materials in construction and design, builders are working to use more wood, stone, and locally sourced raw materials in construction. This has a side benefit, too: In addition to reducing a building's carbon footprint, it can help avoid supply chain issues.
Long, complex supply chains were the first to break down during the pandemic, leaving industries scrambling to find alternate suppliers. Building robust local supply chains can help circumvent issues during natural disasters. This year is going to see some interesting shifts. Architects and designers are still embracing biophilic principles, but some materials are getting their opportunity to shine. Expect to see a continuing march toward 100% renewable power, and builders working to develop designs with the lowest possible embodied carbon. There will also be a heavy emphasis placed on local suppliers, as builders both try to reduce their projects' carbon footprints and avoid relying on long, international supply chains.
If you're an IFMA-LI member, please log in so you can comment on this article.
