Only those who operate sustainably will be able to reap the long-term rewards – it was this statement, made by Hans-Karl von Carlowitz back in 1713, which he used to justify a megatrend that today shapes almost all the areas of our lives. While his idea of sustainability only referred to forestry, this idea has since become a general guiding principle for political, economic and ecological action.
Green building or ecological construction has become a megatrend; sustainably-designed buildings illustrate the move towards a sustainable life and a new building culture. Established ideas of conventional building types are being tested. Buildings which independently and sustainably produce energy with nature’s help are now conceivable. The equal partnership of architecture and nature is still a vision but, in light of the sustainability debate, quite possibly not just a pipe dream.
Natural materials
Healthy and climate-positive materials actually already play a substantial role in the sustainable architecture of today, as do the re-use of raw materials, thermal insulation, and energy consumption and extraction; these are properties which zinc, a natural material, possesses to a high degree. RHEINZINK titanium zinc convinces with its durability and 100% recyclability, and has proved to be extremely robust against weathering. The CO2 pollution generated during construction, as well as the energy consumption during extraction and processing, are extremely low. Emissions are reduced to a minimum thanks to state-of-the-art production facilities.
Furthermore, even today, every RHEINZINK product already consists of 30% secondary material. Together with natural surfaces, such as wood, titanium zinc not only forms an impressive and sustainable unit, but also convinces in combination with green roofs.
Eco-labels
In addition, buildings with the charismatic RHEINZINK titanium zinc appearance are being constructed all over the world, and are being awarded with appropriate ecological labels. For example, the principles of sustainability and ecology were the focus of the developers of a research building at the University of Nottingham. The so-called RAD building presents a combination of the features of the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) sustainability measures and a passive house. BREEAM is an evaluation system for the ecological and socio-cultural aspects of buildings’ sustainability, whereas the passive house construction method offers a high level of comfort for the user/s and requires little energy for heating and cooling. The decision to clad the façade with RHEINZINK titanium zinc was made due to the sustainability advantages of natural materials which are able to do justice to the high demands of ecological house construction.
Material of the future
Stone, wood and titanium zinc were used for the cladding of the 135-room Dickinson College in Pennsylvania. Only six months after its inauguration, the building, which impresses with an extraordinary façade of RHEINZINK titanium zinc, was awarded the LEED® Platinum certification. This American/Canadian sustainability certificate pursues the objective of strengthening and promoting sustainable constructions. Different categories, which include the health and well-being of people and the environment, show.
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