An assessment of construction details as indicators of the environmental impact of materials used on the “skin” in Greek cities

Abstract

Purpose -Construction materials mostly affect the environment during the first stages of their life cycle. Their placement during the construction stage is of equal importance as it affects their environmental impact during the stage of use and the final stage of demolition and rejection. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the environmental impact of different construction details, which are typically used for different city surfaces in Greece. Design/methodology/approach -The analysis of the environmental impact of construction details is both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative analysis is mainly based on embodied energy calculations of different possibilities of placement. The qualitative analysis of the different construction details considers other environmental issues, such as the water cycle in cities and the possibility of reuse and recycling, which are strongly influenced by the way materials are attached to the building shell or general substrate. All the data are gathered from bibliographical sources. Findings -For urban open spaces and flat roofed buildings, the placement of various materials with and without the use of cement-based mortars reveals significant differences in the environmental impact. The same applies to building façades with the current construction (cement-based mortars or synthetic resins) compared to the ventilated façade system. Practical implications -Architects and designers can use the methodology and the findings of this study in order to carefully design the construction details of building façades and flat roofs, and urban open spaces. Originality/value -The study points out the significance of the construction stage in the evaluation of the environmental impact of materials in Greece, where there is extensive use of cement mortars and concrete in the construction of the paving of urban open spaces.

Barriers to the use of sustainable materials in Australian building projects

“…Previous researchers have generally agreed that the planning and design stages in a construction project lifecycle are critical in determining the overall impact on the environment (Mircea et al, 2010;Gangolells et al, 2011;Huang et al, 2013;Harb et al, 2018). Bougiatioti et al (2009) suggested that it is within the initial stages of a lifecycle where the environment endures the most significant negative impact resulting from raw material extraction, manufacturing and production, and forms of transportation. Marsh (2017, p. 81) noted Denmark's policy initiative where "construction professionals are now required to integrate environmental, economic and social responsibility in the earliest phases in the procurement process".…”

“…Marsh (2017, p. 81) noted Denmark's policy initiative where “construction professionals are now required to integrate environmental, economic and social responsibility in the earliest phases in the procurement process”. Additionally, the secondary effects on the environment are defined by the materials used during construction, future demolition and material rejection, where significant damage to the environment occurs (Bougiatioti et al. , 2009; Huang et al.…”

“…, 2018). Bougiatioti et al. (2009) suggested that it is within the initial stages of a lifecycle where the environment endures the most significant negative impact resulting from raw material extraction, manufacturing and production, and forms of transportation.…”