Sustainable design – is it the most important trend in architecture today?

There is probably not a single person who has not heard of sustainability. This trend permeates almost every sphere of our lives and sets the direction for the development of the majority of industries – including the construction industry. What exactly is sustainable design? And is it really the most important trend in contemporary architecture?

Sustainable design – it means what?

Although we hear a lot about sustainable trends in construction and architecture these days, it is not a new trend. The first statements calling attention to the need of rational management of energy sources began to resonate as early as the 1970s, to be fully voiced in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. It was there that the first recommendations for the construction industry were formulated, and not without reason.

Studies show that buildings in the European Union alone account for a total of 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions . However, the alarming figures do not stop there. Others show that we spend as much as 90% of our lives inside buildings . In light of these statistics, sustainable design seems to be the perfect solution. Why?

Smartware CLT Office Building, Săldăbagiu de Munte, Romania. Systems used: MB-EXPO, MB-86 Areo.

Benefits of sustainable design

The benefits of sustainable design are evident on many levels. Sustainable buildings emit less CO2 into the atmosphere, making them less harmful to the environment. They are also more robust and resistant, in large part thanks to modern technologies meeting the strictest standards for sustainable construction. 

Also costs constitute a significant factor – they are noticeably lower than for traditional buildings. Savings can be noticed as early as at the design and construction stage, thanks to the rational use of raw materials and the possibility to reusing materials and resources. During the use of ‘green’ buildings, the reduction of their energy consumption is very relevant.

When talking about sustainable design, it is mandatory to mention the extremely topical issue of energy efficiency.

‘Sustainable construction is a universal solution that works under all circumstances. However today, in the face of the uncertain energy situation and the relentless increases of energy prices on world markets, it takes on particular importance. The difficult situation is encouraging the search for savings, and architecture is meeting this need. Today, ecological solutions in construction may bring energy savings of 60 to even 80%’, explains Hubert Nuckowski from Aluprof.

The right tools and design solutions are of crucial importance.

Faculty of Applied Linguistics and Neo-philology of the University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Systems used: MBSR50N, MB-SR50N EFEKT, MB-45 

Sustainable construction solutions

tects and builders have many tools at their disposal that allow them to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. These are, above all, environmentally friendly materials – natural or recyclable. In this context, it is worth mentioning aluminium, which is fully recyclable. 

The use of systems made from this raw material allows to create modern and sustainable architecture that meets the highest environmental standards. And the possibilities for their use in projects are numerous, which is a consequence of the material’s almost limitless construction possibilities. 

In the context of preventing energy loss and optimising the use of energy resources, especially in the current difficult situation, windows are of particular importance. On the one hand, they are responsible for proper interior lighting. On the other hand, they can generate heat loss in buildings, especially at times when there is less sunlight.  That’s why it is important to ensure that they are properly insulated.

‘Windows and doors in high insulation grade Aluprof systems are the easiest way to avoid energy losses and thus to reduce the costs required to insulate buildings. From this perspective, the modern windows and doors, and façades in aluminium systems supplied by Aluprof are excellent. Many of them feature pioneering solutions. For example, MB-86N is a window and door system that creates a completely new dimension of thermal insulation for windows in its category. It is available in several variants, which makes it easy to adapt it to different thermal energy saving requirements, because after all, they are not the same in all buildings’, explains the Aluprofexpert. 

Obviously this is not the only solution. MB-104 Passive, MB-79N, MB-TT50 – all these systems meet the highest standards of thermal insulation, which is confirmed by Passive House Institute Darmstadt certificates and other ecological certificates awarded to facilities equipped with Aluprofsystems. 

Neon  (Alchemia IV), Gdańsk, Poland. Systems used: MB-TT50, MB-118EI, MB-SE75, MB-SR50N OW

Sustainable design – need of the moment or trend of the future?

In light of the above, it is evident that sustainable design is the perfect solution in today’s reality from an energy-insecurity perspective. However, it is not just a remedy for present problems. We have witnessed a dynamic increase in the popularity of sustainable trends in architecture over the past several years. The best evidence is the steadily increasing number of buildings with green certificates – BREEAM, LEED and many others. 

Green solutions are becoming a standard not only in prestigious buildings, but in an increasing number of commercial properties. In this respect, Romania undoubtedly stands out in Europe. Analytical data shows that around 600 BREEAM  certificates have been issued in the country – this certification sets the standard in sustainable construction. And it doesn’t finish there. Statistics show that tenants are increasingly willing to pay more in rent, provided the building they are renting is designed in the spirit of sustainability.

As we can see, sustainable design is not a trend that was born on the spur of the moment and will pass just as quickly. On the contrary, the growing environmental awareness of societies and increasingly stricter EU requirements let us foresee that the popularity of sustainable design will definitely stay with us for longer.

Let’s Build The Better Future

The global construction industry is increasingly more defined by ecological practices, taking into account the industry’s impact on the environment, but also responding to the current challenges of modern times. This matches perfectly the vision and values of Aluprof, which for years has been actively involved in transforming architecture and creating solutions for the future – with the environment in mind but also for future generations.