There have been a lot of discussions regarding climate change and global warming. We have listened and perhaps even participated with varying degrees of interest and concurrence. We eagerly waited for the people’s great and radical responses to begin. But what do we really expect to happen? Are we content to just sit and wait for others to move? In the construction sector, we should be taking a more active stance to address the environmental issues that face us today. There may be imminent changes in the norms regarding the way we design our houses. We ought to re-think how we have been building, without heed for our effect on nature. How well are we coping with the changes in our environment?
Our local climate is getting warmer, winds are becoming stronger, floodwaters rise haphazardly, which could indicate that the standard design system introduced several decades ago may not be applicable today. For example, the minimum required slopes set by roofing suppliers may no longer be sufficient to withstand leaks brought about by stronger winds. Wind load factors considered in designing roof framing systems may need to be adjusted. The usual house elevations may have to be revisited to prepare for the intermittent rise in water levels.
More than ever, insulation may need to be considered more seriously. These materials with which we shield our walls and ceilings are the unheralded help that cuts down energy costs by reducing the requirements for cooling. In tropical countries, insulation products are mostly limited to roofing systems. However, there is a need to use these in other areas as well, such as walls, fenestrations, and ceilings.
Some of today’s building standards may soon become obsolete and the current green features that are still considered a novelty may actually be the new standards to follow. Basic planning norms, based on orientation, may be further analyzed scientifically through computer modelling to protect specific spaces from direct sunlight and heat.
Specifications of materials as to their insulating properties must be explored. There are a number of new products in glass, paints, and roofing that have improved insulating properties. The ones applicable to the structure must be recommended. There are new developments in air conditioning systems that are more energy efficient. There are likewise plumbing systems that are economically and environmentally preferable.
To play an active role in coping with the huge changes in our environment, we have to become more informed consumers, more responsible builders. We have to seek out professionals who can advise us on the best options for our particular needs. In designing homes, you may need your architect more than ever, because in the long run, a properly designed house will not only increase your comfort level in the home but reduce your energy costs, making homes more liveable, more sustainable, and better able to cope with the change.
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