A boost for green buildings! Public buildings in France to be built with at least 50 % timber

The French government has announced plans for a sustainability law that will ensure all new public buildings are built from at least 50 percent timber,  natural materials or bio-based materials that are made from matter derived from living organisms like hemp and straw, says a report in dezeen.com

Like wood, they have a significantly lower embodied carbon footprint compared to other construction materials like concrete and steel.

The measure will be implemented by 2022 and will include all public buildings financed by the government.

The move was inspired by Paris and its recent low-carbon mandate to build structures for the 2024 Summer Olympics from timber.

Green construction offers eco-friendly solutions that can drastically reduce the carbon footprint created by traditional building methods.

The ultimate goal of green building and design is to create sound structures that possess environmental sustainability without the sacrifice of the kinds of modern comforts people expect. Both architects and builders of eco-friendly buildings follow comprehensive reuse, recycle, and repurpose model in as many facets of construction as possible. Here are some ways that modern construction is making strides to decrease environmental impact both during and after the construction of new structures.

Generating clean energy

One of the most effective ways to decrease the impact of a building on the environment is to make sure that it is constructed in a way that generates a high percentage of the energy it consumes. Structures that generate energy on their own like solar panels on the roof and walls do not draw as much power from plants. 

The reduced draw on these resources means fewer polluting fuels need to be burned in order to generate the energy needed to run the systems within the building. 

Increasing HVAC system efficacy

Eco-friendly construction companies also seek to make the heating and cooling systems of the structures they design and build environmentally sound. Making them more efficient consequently reduces the amount of energy it takes to effectively run heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Eco-friendly insulation is also becoming a more popular choice.