Category Archives: Green Building

Middle East Cities Emerge as Global Leaders in Sustainability

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masdar city abu dhabiWhile it’s the U.S. Green Building Council that sets the standard for LEED certification, two cities in the Middle East are quickly emerging as the world leaders in sustainable cities, or cities with a goal of net zero energy and waste. That means they produce as much energy, resources and waste as they consume.

Population and economic growth due to the Middle East’s oil reserves are the primary drivers in its aggressive push toward sustainability. With population expected to grow exponentially in the next 25 years, sustainable cities can offset the gradual depletion of the natural resources and with them, the region’s primary export and profit center. Here’s a look at innovative projects currently evolving in the region.

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Sustainable and Modular Construction Still Hot for 2013

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Sustainable and Modular Construction Still Hot for 2013A recent article on Construction Digital indicates that both sustainable building and modular construction remain trends with traction. Four months into 2013, these trends are two of the driving forces behind the improving construction industry.

Green and Natural

The use of sustainable building materials and construction techniques Continue reading →

5 Ways Modular Construction is Greener

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Modular Construction is GreenerAs we pause to celebrate Earth Day today, many of us may stop to consider what we can do to help the environment. Selfishly, we hope your considerations lead you to waste reduction through modular construction.

At nearly 25 percent, construction waste is the largest contributor to our waste stream. Cutting it would have a measurable impact on landfills, air pollution and our consumption of natural resources.

The US Green Building Council agrees. That’s why modular construction is worth additional points for Continue reading →

Rethinking the Definition of Green Building

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Modular Green BuildingRising energy costs and global climate change are compelling arguments for sustainable construction. Yet some builders, developers and owners don’t see the value in green construction, particularly as it relates to their bottom line.

Good, Not Green

At the 2013 Greenprints sustainability conference, LEED founder Rob Watson suggested “eliminating ‘green’ as a modifier,” noting that “there are good buildings, and there are bad buildings…Good buildings save energy, water, time and effort — but perhaps most importantly to their occupants, they save money.”

That’s not to say that companies aren’t building green. LEED has helped spur energy-efficient construction Continue reading →

Deconstructing Construction Waste and Saving Big with Modular

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Construction accounts for 24 percent of all solid waste produced in the U.S. That’s approximately 160 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) debris created every year.

Reducing construction waste can have a tremendous impact on landfill costs, not to mention the obvious benefit to our environment. One solution for greener building is modular construction. Modular is inherently more resource efficient, and can dramatically reduce C&D waste.

Click on the infographic below to see some staggering construction waste figures, and the waste and money savings that can result from modular building.

Reducing construction waste through modular building

Copy and paste the code below to embed this infographic on Your site.


<img src="http://modspaceblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/modspace_deconstructwaste-final-012413.png" width="800">

Deconstructing Construction Waste – An infographic by the team at ModSpace


4 Green Building Trends to Watch in 2013

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2013 Green Building TrendsThere’s little question that green building is on the rise. Now, as all indicators point to a promising 2013 for commercial and residential construction alike, here are a few green trends likely to hit your radar sometime this year.

1. Greening Existing Workspaces
The U.S. Green Building Council spent most of 2012 working with individual states to expand their portfolio of sustainable projects. For 2013, the USGBC continues this push with a new framework for companies and cities that applies to both new projects and renovations.

2. It’s All in the Cloud
2012 introduced cloud computing to the general public. Apple and Google led the way, creating remotely stored systems and data for customers to access via the Internet, instead of a local hard drive. This year, Continue reading →

4 Tips For Building a Green Office

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4 Tips For Building a Green Office These days, it’s not enough for companies to simply pay lip service to using green construction techniques when adding a new office building. In fact, green building has become a necessity, as firms become increasingly concerned about the health and wellness of their employees, operating costs, and the image they project to their clients.

While for many these tips may seem obvious, incorporating these four staples of eco-friendly design will ensure your green building project gets started on the right track.

1. Take Advantage of Natural Light

One of the best ways to make your new building as energy efficient as possible is to design it strategically so that it takes full advantage of natural light, Green Building Elements notes. Try Continue reading →