flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Greater emphasis on building materials needed to achieve net-zero carbon offices

Codes and Standards

Greater emphasis on building materials needed to achieve net-zero carbon offices

Engineered wood, straw, and bamboo can be keys to achieving goal.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | January 18, 2022
Wood building materials

Courtesy Pixabay

Choosing building materials wisely is critical for companies looking to build net-zero carbon offices, according to researchers at Canada’s Ryerson University.

In 2020, the extraction, transport, and manufacturing of building sector materials accounted for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the researchers say. “If buildings are to make meaningful contributions to keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, limiting emissions from building materials is crucial,” they say.

In recent years, designers and contractors have made great strides in energy efficiency, on-site heating and cooling, waste reduction, and recycling. Building materials present a newer opportunity for office projects to reduce their carbon footprint.

Construction of Walmart’s new home office in Bentonville, Ark., expected to be completed by 2025, offers an example of what can be accomplished using bio-based building materials. The retail giant’s corporate campus is the largest underway in the U.S. It will use mass timber including large engineered structural wooden panels.

In order to gain the most environmental benefit, materials must be sourced from sustainable supply chains. Building office towers with timber can be counterproductive if large amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted during logging, transport, and manufacture of wood products.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2017

After construction crane collapses during Irma, regulations questioned

Cranes rated for 140 mph winds didn’t hold up to 100 mph gusts.

Codes and Standards | Sep 20, 2017

Energy efficiency measures pay off in some not-so-obvious ways

Access to better financing, tax incentives, rent premiums, among the benefits to greener buildings.

Codes and Standards | Sep 19, 2017

Benchmarking regulations prompt jump in green certified properties

2016 saw a slight rise in total certified U.S. green office space.

Codes and Standards | Sep 18, 2017

Changes likely to come to federal wetlands regulations

However, states may step up regulations as feds relax them.

Codes and Standards | Sep 14, 2017

Gentrification means a new mindset for city planners

Rising rents elicit reexamination of zoning principles.

Codes and Standards | Sep 13, 2017

OSHA issues extension for compliance with crane operator certification requirements

Comments on proposed rule sought through Sept. 29.

Codes and Standards | Sep 12, 2017

Washington, D.C. is first LEED Platinum city in the world

All city government buildings are powered by renewables.

Codes and Standards | Sep 11, 2017

Natural solutions would be most effective flood resilience policies for Houston

New green infrastructure should be part of rebuild.

Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2017

Los Angeles luxury high-rise is first U.S. apartment building to achieve WELL Multifamily certification

Hollywood Proper Residences have verified indoor air and water quality features.

Codes and Standards | Sep 7, 2017

More than half of Houston properties at high or moderate risk of flooding are not in FEMA flood zone

Properties outside of these zones are not required to carry flood insurance.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021