5 Sustainable Design Strategies for Your Next Design-Build Project in Colorado Springs

design-build projects in Colorado Springs
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

1. Focus on Energy Efficiency

Once the construction is complete, the concept of sustainability doesn’t just stop. Using more energy-efficient materials can help offset some of the environmental impact of the building process. Those involved in the project can also determine ways to build and plan energy efficiently, reducing the project’s overall impact.

2. Using Sustainable and durable Building Materials

If you know you want your project to focus on design for sustainability specifically, design-build projects are excellent ways to ensure all parties are on board with sustainable building materials. Some examples include:

  • Carbon-sequestering materials
  • Sustainably sourced aggregates
  • Approved timber
  • Natural fiber-reinforced concrete

The interest in sustainable building has also made these products more readily available and affordable, so it’s becoming much more accessible to incorporate them into a design-build project.

Durability is equally crucial for sustainability. The more durable a build is, the less maintenance or rebuilding is required, automatically lowering the project’s overall carbon footprint. It also makes the project much more cost-effective — an all-around bonus for everyone involved.

3. Incorporating Sustainable Design Elements

“Green design” involves including design elements that reduce the environmental impact of a project. A good example of this is outlined by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), which helps guide contractors and architects through all the ways they can stay sustainable with their designs.

While BREEAM details many expected sustainability requirements, it gets granular enough to focus on everything in a project, from waste reduction to social equity. This makes it an excellent litmus test for those who want to take sustainability seriously in every sense of the word.

4. Ensuring Water Conservation

Construction also requires a lot of water consumption. This used to be hard to work around. However, projects can minimize their water usage through new processes that focus on water conservation.

Even tried and true methods like monitoring and reporting water usage to audit and improve processes are viable, especially in a design-build project where all moving parts consistently work together toward completion.

5. Consistent Communication

Design-build projects are much easier to make sustainable because of how the planning and implementing stages work. Because every part of the construction is contained within one entity, there’s no confusion about the project’s goals.

If sustainability is one of your primary goals, sustainability in design is considered in every facet of your project. Not only that, but it’s easier to create checks and balances to ensure that communication about these sustainable practices is being upheld across the board.

Start Your Sustainable Project Today

The Hammers Construction process emphasizes the need for and importance of sustainable design strategies, and we’re ready to help you with yours. Contact our team today for your free cost estimate or to learn more about how we keep commercial construction sustainable.

Connect With Us

Thank you for checking out our blog. We hope you enjoyed it and ask that you please share it!

Facebook

Instagram

Portfolio

About Hammers Construction

Over 60 years ago, Steve and Dave Hammers’ father began a commercial construction company in Northern Minnesota. Steve and Dave are carrying on the family tradition and passion for design-build construction. In 1986, the business bearing the family name, expanded to the Rocky Mountains. In 1991, Hammers Construction, Inc. (HCI) became an independent entity in Colorado Springs, CO. Over the years, HCI has earned a reputation for honesty, integrity, and professionalism in the very unique design-build construction industry.

Email Sign Up