The term “Sustainability” was defined for the first time in the World Commission on Environment and Development of the United Nations as follows: “Development requires meeting the needs of today’s mankind without disturbing the It is the ability of future generations to meet their needs))
Using natural materials and resources in the production and consumption processes has many environmental, economic and social consequences that affect the future generations above all else. Extraction and destruction of non-renewable natural resources is very worrying. Environmental pressures related to extraction, processing, transportation, use and disposal of materials affect the quality of the environment and the local ecosystem and human health.
The construction industry is one of the biggest users of natural resources, the materials extracted from natural resources that are used in buildings are often non-renewable and renewable. are, therefore the selection and use of sustainable building materials becomes important. Research and development in the field of understanding the characteristics of sustainability of materials, and on the other hand, the perspective of research, design and understanding of the process of processing raw materials until the achievement of sustainable materials and the stage after their consumption is based on regional, cultural, social and economic potentials. . The design of sustainable materials in the current era is accepted as one of the promising propositions in ((development of sustainability movement)).
Innovation in sustainable building materials
Sustainable development in the building means improving the efficiency of the environment with the rational use of resources. As we know, unfortunately, construction is not an environmentally friendly process and has major effects on the reduction of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases due to the combustion of fossil fuels. Achieving sustainable construction is not possible by applying legal pressures and limiting the volume of construction, so paying attention to how to design and choose sustainable building materials is the only way forward. Achieving a sustainable future is achieved by changing the way raw materials are used and reducing them drastically. Sustainable development includes considering the entire life cycle of the materials used in the buildings that are designed. In this way, the range of activity and influence of architects, builders and entrepreneurs of the construction industry will be developed.
In the not too distant future, the design of sustainable materials will be regarded as value and innovation in architecture. Design is a facilitating tool for realizing sustainability, innovative design solutions not only lead to highly efficient buildings, but also provide good quality conditions for the life and work of a community.
Environmental and economic consequences of sustainable materials
Sustainable building materials often refer to materials that are natural and have certain benefits such as reducing the cost of reducing energy consumption, improving the quality of the interior space, increasing comfort and reducing the harmful effects of the environment. they live However, natural materials are not necessarily green materials, such as asbestos, radon, and turpentine, which are natural, but have negative effects on the environment. (Spiegel & Meadows, Franzoni)
Therefore, sustainable building materials refer to environmentally friendly materials. Accordingly, to produce sustainable building materials, renewable materials and resources should be used instead of non-renewable resources. These materials should also be stable during their life cycle, need to use less energy in the production process, and during their life cycle should not release polluting gases that affect human health and comfort. The environmental consequences of the use of natural resources and materials occur at different stages of the life cycle of the resources and affect the quantity and quality of the ecosystem and the environment. The type and severity of these consequences depend on the geographical and climatic location of the region, the type and amount of extraction of materials and natural resources, the method of extraction, processing and use of resources.
Chart 1 – life cycle of construction materials
Returning materials to the life cycle increases the economic efficiency of materials. Economically and environmentally, the best resources and materials should be adapted. (SEEA) are those that can do well with the environmental economy system
Knowledge of processing materials to achieve sustainable materials
Knowing the materials and processing steps requires environmental analysis. The main methods of environmental analysis are based on the use of life cycle assessment of materials. In all stages of the material cycle, sustainability indicators (reduction of energy consumption, reduction of water consumption, reduction of exhaust gases, reduction of waste, garbage, etc.) should be taken into account.
Different approaches to choosing building materials
Familiarity with native architecture and traditional construction methods –
Irresponsible use From common building materials-
Upgrading common building materials to achieve sustainable materials-
Designing materials with the approach of proper utilization of local and indigenous resources-
Summary
In order to advance the development program of the sustainability movement, all industry sectors are obliged to stabilize their products and productions.
The construction industry, due to its vast scope, has many trustees from different guilds and groups, for the stability of the building, the cooperation and support of all related people and guilds is required. On the other hand, the final line of activities related to construction is in the hands of designers and architects, builders and building operators, therefore this group plays a significant role in building sustainability.
In order to stabilize the building, however, it is necessary to start from the origin of exploitation of materials from resources and mines, and all the processes between the way to the final product, which is the time of exploitation of the building, how to exploit After the building is abandoned, the method of destruction and reconstruction, recycling and renewal of materials should be observed. All these steps have the ability to improve and approach sustainability indicators. There are different ways to improve the processes, some of them are left in the past and forgotten, and some are available with today’s science and technology.
The future is ahead and every day an answer to human needs lies in it. Maybe the past has left us few reserves, but all the relics of the past, even waste and garbage, can be a valuable reserve, we just have to discover the way to access and exploit it.
