Green buildings and sustainable practices in real estate

Karam Bedi

Promotor, JMD Group

Sustainable and eco-friendly building practices have been gaining popularity in recent years, with builders and developers incorporating sustainable features like solar panels and energy-efficient appliances in their construction projects. These green building practices aim to reduce the impact of construction on the environment and promote sustainable living.

According to Karam Bedi, an industry expert and one of the promotors of JMD Group, a significant driver behind the implementation of sustainable building practices is the rising demand from environmentally conscious consumers. As per the National Association of Home Builders survey, 73% of homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for energy-efficient and eco-friendly homes.

The increasing popularity of sustainable building practices can be attributed to several factors. One of the primary reasons is the growing awareness of the negative impact of construction on the environment. The construction industry is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it also generates a substantial amount of waste. Sustainable building practices aim to reduce these negative impacts by using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and incorporating renewable energy sources.

Sustainable building practices offer several benefits, both for the environment and for homeowners. A range of advantages associated with these trends include:

Reduced environmental impact: Sustainable building practices aim to reduce the negative impact of construction on the environment by using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and incorporating renewable energy sources. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and protect wildlife habitats.

Energy savings: By incorporating energy-efficient features like solar panels and energy-efficient appliances, sustainable buildings can significantly reduce energy consumption and save homeowners money on utility bills.

Improved indoor air quality: Sustainable building practices also aim to improve indoor air quality by using low-emission building materials and implementing proper ventilation systems. This helps to reduce the risk of respiratory problems and allergies.

Increased property value: Homes that incorporate sustainable features like solar panels and energy-efficient appliances have been shown to have a higher resale value than homes that do not. This is because buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes that are environmentally friendly and have lower utility costs.

Bedi asserts that the domain of green building is a dynamic one, with constant changes and advancements, leading to the emergence of new trends and innovations. Notably, some of the contemporary trends in green building encompass:

Net-Zero energy buildings are designed to produce as much energy as they consume, using renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines. These buildings can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Passive house design aims to create buildings that are highly energy-efficient and require very little energy for heating and cooling. These buildings are designed to be airtight and well-insulated, with high-performance windows and doors.

Biophilic design incorporates natural elements like plants and natural light into building design to improve human well-being and connect people with nature.

Prefabricated construction involves building components off-site and assembling them on-site. This can significantly reduce waste and construction time, while also allowing for greater precision and quality control.

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