The Future of Sustainability: What's Next?

The built environment has devoted the better part of the last three decades to reducing the energy use and carbon emissions of buildings. Third party sustainability rating systems and guidelines have played a key role in this effort, conjuring up buzzwords such as 'net-zero emissions', 'net-zero water' and 'net-zero waste'.

Progress towards these targets has indeed been made. In the United States, for instance, despite adding an astounding 62.5 billion square feet to its building stock (equivalent to about six cities the size of Boston each year), CO2 emissions witnessed a remarkable decline of 28.4% from 2005 to 2022^[1]. This progress is due in part to the increasing use of energy-efficient materials and technologies, as well as the growing emphasis on healthier indoor environments and water conservation.

However, the current ‘net-zero’ approach falls short in addressing the fundamental challenge at hand. If we truly aspire to live in harmony with nature, a profound shift in how we design the built environment is imperative, for which a new term is required.

Taking its place is net-positive design, a revolutionary concept that calls for a forward-thinking approach. In contrast to net-zero designed buildings, net-positive buildings are engineered and operated to reverse ecological damage and leave a positive impact on the natural and human environment. This innovative approach views architecture as an extension of the surrounding site, flora and fauna, and ecosystem. Buildings become integral parts of a larger system, helping to actively generate resources such as clean water, energy, and food.

How to Embrace Net-Positive Design in the Built Environment

1. Circular Economy

The circular economy model revolves around three fundamental principles: eliminating waste and pollution, prolonging the utilisation of products and materials, and regenerating natural systems.

The circular economy encourages life cycle thinking, which involves considering the entire lifespan of a building, from design and construction to end-of-life and potential reuse or recycling. This approach helps architects and designers to make informed decisions regarding materials and systems, ultimately resulting in longer-lasting and adaptable buildings.

Given the region's notorious water scarcity, the circular economy of water is exceptionally important. All six GCC nations are expected to be among the top 10 water-stressed countries by 2040^[2], making it essential to not only decrease extraction rates but also to replenish our depleting groundwater reserves.

One solution that can simultaneously achieve both of these objectives is Polypipe’s Polystorm geocellular water management system. Engineered to capture and store rainfall for future reuse, Polystorm is the leading product in the market with its 95% void ratio, to maximise water retention. The captured water undergoes thorough filtration and treatment before being extracted for application in irrigation systems or industrial processes. Water that is not reused percolates back into the surrounding ground in a controlled manner, replenishing groundwater reserves without causing soil oversaturation or flooding.

To learn more about moving towards a circular economy for water preservation, click here.

2. Public Health & Wellbeing

Net-positive design extends beyond merely having a positive impact on the environment; it also encompasses fostering the health, happiness, and overall wellbeing of individuals and communities.

It focuses on crafting spaces and structures that nurture wellbeing, comfort, and productivity, encompassing vital elements like access to natural light, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, and ergonomic considerations.

One aspect of building design often overlooked in net-positive principles is drainage solutions. High performing drainage systems reduce the transmission of infectious air-borne diseases and the spread of hazardous fumes like ammonia and methane, as well as playing a significant role in enhancing acoustic comfort.

Distracting noises can reduce productivity levels by up to 60% and elevate the risk of stress, headaches, high blood pressure, and even strokes. Acoustically engineered drainage systems such as Polypipe Middle East’s Terrain Q, have been specifically designed to retain the sound of water within the system, acting as a sound absorbent against shocks and vibrations. Thanks to innovative engineering, Terrain Q effectively limits noise levels to just 20dB, equivalent to a whisper.

To learn more about how drainage systems impact health and wellbeing, read Adam Smith’s article on the Evolution of Human-Centricity in Design and Construction.  

3. Urban Resilience

Resilience encompasses a city's capacity to adapt, recover, and flourish despite facing diverse challenges, shocks, and stresses. These can range from natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes to human-made issues such as economic downturns, social conflicts, and infrastructure failures. It involves strengthening a city's ability to withstand, absorb, and rebound from these adverse events while safeguarding essential functions and minimising their impact on residents and infrastructure.

In the context of the Middle East, we face two persistent challenges year after year: droughts and floods. Predictions indicate that temperatures in Saudi Arabia could increase by up to 2.6°C by 2050^[3]. This not only amplifies the risk of drought but, surprisingly, intensifies the risk of floods too. The warming atmosphere's ability to hold more water vapour leads to longer-lasting and more intense storms.

Polystorm’s aforementioned ability to collect and store stormwater in subsurface tanks proves instrumental in mitigating flood risk in urban areas by an impressive 80%.

To learn more about how and why we need to prioritise the creation of resilient cities, read our blog on Building Resilience with Green Urbanisation.

4. Blue-Green Roofs

Rapid urbanisation has led to city designs that frequently omit vegetation, replacing it with impervious surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and glass. Such urban developments result in the destruction of natural habitats, hinder natural water infiltration, and contribute to the formation of urban heat islands.

Thankfully, a recent trend in architecture is countering these effects. The conversion of unused roof space into green havens provides a much-needed sanctuary for biodiversity and humans alike, allowing both to thrive.

However, we cannot overlook the fact that irrigation is one of the largest contributors to water wastage.^[4] So how can we support vegetation growth without adding strain to water reserves? This is where Permavoid comes into play – our multi-award-winning, geocellular water management solution.

Permavoid offers a ground-breaking self-irrigating solution that can be seamlessly integrated into plant beds below the soil surface. Our innovative technology enables plants to consume water based on their needs, relying solely on transpiration without any energy requirements. By emulating the natural water cycle, Permavoid ensures the precise amount of water is delivered each day, eliminating water wastage due to evaporation, over-irrigation, or spillages.

To fully grasp the benefits of blue-green roofs, read our blog on Green Roofs: The Future of Architecture.

How Do You Benefit from Net-Positive Design?

While incorporating net-positive design practices into your development may necessitate a larger upfront investment, the focus on longevity and innovative use of regenerative materials and systems will yield substantial benefits. Not only will it conserve resources and reduce waste, but it will also enhance operational efficiency and significantly minimise maintenance requirements in the long run.

Here are 7 lesser-known financial benefits of net-positive design.

You can also check out our blog on sustainable construction: adding value and cutting costs for a more comprehensive review of the financial incentives for adopting cutting-edge practices.

In order to reverse the current challenges posed by climate change, we must move beyond simply minimising the harm done to nature. Embracing net-positive design practices on a large scale will enable the construction industry to ‘do good’ rather than merely ‘less bad’. This proactive approach not only aids in reversing the impacts of climate change but also proves to be a worthwhile investment, capable of generating a substantial ROI for building owners.