Sustainability in construction – the DDK method

Reducing the carbon footprint of a building through construction involves adopting sustainable practices and choosing to make environmentally conscious decisions throughout the construction process.

Here are some strategies to help minimise the total carbon, water and waste associated with building construction:

1. Design intent – maximise sustainable performance:

• Opt for energy-efficient building designs that maximise natural lighting, ventilation, and insulation.
• Choose sustainable materials with low embodied carbon, such as recycled, reclaimed, or locally sourced materials.
• Use Building Information Modelling (BIM) to optimise the design and construction process for efficiency. DDK’s Digital Twin can turn these plans into a virtual environment allowing for effective analysis and review of the building design to take place early in the design process.

2. Construction Practices – with a sustainability bias:

• Implement lean construction techniques to minimise waste and resource usage.
• Plan the construction sequence to reduce transportation and equipment energy use.
• Use modular construction methods that minimise on-site labour and construction time.

3. Energy and Water Efficiency:

• Utilise energy-efficient construction equipment and machinery.
• Use renewable energy sources, like solar panels or wind turbines, to power construction activities.
• Implement water-efficient practices, such as using low-flow fixtures, water-recycling and rainwater harvesting systems.

4. Waste Management:

• Set up a waste management plan to recycle and properly dispose of construction waste. (Link to previous article)
• Salvage and reuse materials from demolition and construction phases.

5. Transportation and Logistics:

• Minimise transportation-related emissions by sourcing materials locally.
• Optimise delivery routes and schedules to reduce fuel consumption.

6. Green Building Certification:

• Aim for certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) to ensure your project meets high sustainability standards.

7. Construction Site Management:

• Establish guidelines that stipulate the use of energy-efficient lighting.
• Use efficient construction practices that minimise the need for on-site heating or cooling.

8. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Implement a monitoring system to track energy and resource usage during construction.
• Regularly assess and report progress toward carbon reduction goals.

9. Collaboration and Education:

• Engage with contractors, workers, and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of reducing the carbon water and waste impact.
• Provide training on sustainable construction practices to ensure everyone follows environmentally friendly procedures.

DDK has developed proprietary models to measure and improve the sustainability of buildings, known as Optimised Operational Carbon Footprint (OOCF). These models can be applied to any consumable – e.g., water, waste, energy – however the three steps are always the same:

1. Reduce – build less, eliminate wastage by building only what you need.
2. Improve – make each process better. For example, use more efficient motors and use less water or power per ton of product. Look at opportunities for equipment efficiencies or process efficiencies.
3. Offset – substitute materials for lighter weight construction, purchase green power or use carbon offset strategies.

Alongside our optimised carbon footprint at the start of the project, consider how you will measure and manage waste. Set targets for reduction and aim to beat them.

By combining these strategies, you can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a building under construction and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly construction industry. Keep in mind that the specific approaches you choose will depend on factors such as the project’s location, budget, and available resources.