The ongoing climate changes, the growing global population, and the depletion of natural resources have consequences in many areas. One of those areas is construction – along with the technologies and legal regulations associated with it. What is ecological construction, and how is green construction implemented in Poland?

What is ecological construction?

Ecological construction is one of the trends in modern construction – both residential and commercial. Investments representing ecological construction include multi-family buildings, schools, and hotels, built using solutions that minimally impact the environment. As a result, the completed building uses fewer resources (e.g., electricity or water) throughout its lifecycle than a building constructed using traditional technology.

What is green building?

What distinguishes ecological buildings? They mainly differ from other buildings in the type of materials used – usually renewable resources (e.g., wood) that do not have a negative impact on the environment and building users. At the same time, ecological construction focuses on minimizing waste and reusing materials once the building’s life cycle ends.

User comfort and well-being are also important. What does that mean? Ecological buildings are equipped with efficient ventilation, provide access to an adequate amount of natural light, and meet high acoustic standards. But that's not all. Ecological construction also assumes constant human contact with nature, which naturally leads to projects implementing the concept of biophilic design.

All ecological technologies in construction assume that the building will be energy-efficient. To achieve this, renewable energy sources are used, among other solutions. Ecological buildings also have limited water demand, and their designs include the use of rainwater. This, in turn, reduces building maintenance costs – lower compared to other types of buildings.

Ecological construction – technologies

Green building requires the use of modern technologies that allow for the implementation of the concepts of ecological construction. Depending on the building's purpose, the investor may decide on the following innovative solutions:

• Smart building management system. If a BMS system is implemented in the building, it allows for quick identification of a water leak, minimizing losses and costs. Another example is automatic control of lighting and air conditioning.
• Photovoltaic panels. Their presence on roofs or around buildings allows partial (and sometimes even complete) independence from the energy grid. This is another way to reduce building maintenance costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Modular technology. Ecological buildings are designed so that their functions can be changed without excessive effort or environmental impact. Modular technology makes it possible to quickly expand or reduce the building to meet new needs.

Ecological construction – examples

Although ecological construction is not yet the standard, it is gaining popularity – more and more ecological buildings are being constructed in Poland every year. Unihouse is responsible for some of them in modular technology – including multi-family buildings, hotels, campuses, nurseries, kindergartens, and modular care homes. These ecological buildings stand out for:

• The use of ecological technologies. Modular construction with a wooden frame helps reduce CO2 emissions.
• The implementation of advanced design and production methods. The use of BIM software and automation of production processes results in a minimal amount of production waste.
• The use of renewable materials. Wood is an ecological building material that ensures optimal building parameters and is neutral for the environment.
• Energy efficiency. The ecological technologies used by Unihouse in construction significantly reduce the energy demand of the buildings.
• Compliance with the DNSH rule. Adhering to this rule ensures that the building has no negative environmental impact and supports sustainable development.

Ecological construction vs. green construction in Poland