Abstract
According to a projection by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the environmental effects of construction, unless practices are fundamentally altered, the worldwide building industry could double its greenhouse gas emissions between 2004 and 2030, that is, GHG emissions could go from 9.5 billion to 17.2 billion tons (8.6 billion to 15.6 billion tonnes) (UNEP/GRID-Arendal 2008). This requires the adoption of not only appropriate design strategies but sound construction principals. Whereas the previous chapter dealt primarily with design principals, this chapter delves into the technical aspects of sustainable construction. It provides a guide for the design of an improved envelope, efficient framing, and construction details as well as prefabrication.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
UNEP/GRID-Arendal. 2008. “Boosting the ‘Green House’ Effect—CDM Reform Key to Climate- Friendly Building and Construction Sector.” Press release. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/GRID-Arendal. http://www.grida.no/news/press/3350.aspx?p=2 Saint-Gobain Group 2008.
Carpenter, W. J. 2009. Modern Sustainable Residential Design. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Harvey, L. D. D. 2006. A Handbook on Low-Energy Buildings and District-Energy Systems: Fundamentals, Techniques, and Examples. Sterling, VA: Earthscan.
Keeler, M., and B. Burke. 2009. Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Gonzalo, R., and K. J. Habermann. 2006. Energy-Efficient Architecture: Basics for Planning and Construction. Boston: Birkhauser.
Halliday, S. 2008. Sustainable Construction. Amsterdam: Elsevier Architectural Press.
Schaeffer, J. 2005. The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living. 12th ed. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers.
Baker-Laporte, P., E. Elliot, and J. Banta. 2001. Prescriptions for a Healthy House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders and Homeowners. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.
Kwok, A. G., and W. T. Grondzik. 2007. The Green Studio Handbook: Environmental Strategies for Schematic Design. Amsterdam: Elsevier Architectural Press.
Ireland, J. 2007. Residential Planning and Design. New York: Fairchild Publications.
Hegger, M., et al. 2006. Construction Materials Manual. Boston: Birkhauser.
BRE (Building Research Establishment and Cyril Sweett Sustainability and Cost Consulting Teams). 2005. Putting a Price on Sustainability. Watford, UK: BRE Trust Press.
Johnston, D., and S. Gibson. 2008. Green from the Ground Up. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press.
Energy Saving Trust. 2006. External Insulation for Dwellings. http://www.servecommunity.ie/download.ashx?f=EST_CE118GPG293_External_insulation_for_dwellings.pdf.
Stirling, C. 2009. Warm, Cold; Vented, Unvented Roof Construction? http://www.thenbs.com/topics/constructionproducts/articles/ventedUnventedRoofConstruction.asp.
HGTVpro. 2010. Basement Floor Insulation: Installation, Tips and Best Practices. http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/bp_insulation/article/0,,hpro_20150_3463250,00.html.
US DOE (Department of Energy). 2009. “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.” Slab-on-Grade Insulation Foundation. Energy Savers. http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11490.
OR DOE (Oregon Department of Energy). 2008. “Slab Floor Edge Insulation.” Oregon Residential Energy Code. http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/Codes/docs/ResPub_9.pdf.
Jones, L. 2008. Environmentally Responsible Design: Green and Sustainable Design for Interior Designers. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Thomas, R., ed. 2005. Sustainable Urban Design: An Environmental Approach. London: Spon Press.
Arieff, A., and B. Burkhart. 2002. Prefab. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith.
Winchip, S. M. 2007. Sustainable Design for Interior Environments. New York: Fairchild Publications.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Avi Friedman
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Friedman, A. (2012). Constructing a Home. In: Fundamentals of Sustainable Dwellings. Island Press/Center for Resource Economics. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-211-2_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-211-2_5
Publisher Name: Island Press/Center for Resource Economics
Print ISBN: 978-1-59726-342-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-61091-211-2
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)