Eco-Friendly Construction Methods.

 Eco-Friendly Construction Methods.

An Eco - system is a group of environmental phenomena created by a combination of bio-inorganic factors. Many species of animals such as reptiles, amphibians, mammals, insects as well as natural components such as soil, water, plants, land, oceans, space and air are integral parts of an eco-system. So when you consider the term eco-friendly it is crystal clear that everything that is good for an eco-system is eco-friendly.

“One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.”
-Leo Tolstoy-

That is how the famous author Leo Tolstoy described the relationship between the environment and man. From the cradle at birth to the coffin at death, man’s life is intertwined with the environment. Although the building industry today focuses more on economic benefits, In the past people have focused more on eco-friendly methods than everyday life on economic benefits. Sri Lanka is a country with such a proud history. For an example Sri Lankan vernacular architecture.

When considering the construction industry, according to the current data reports of the World Environment Organization, the building construction industry falls under the five basic factors under the category of environmental damage sectors. So it is essential that the building construction industry be eco-friendly.
During the stone age and shepherd age ( Palyeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolethic) when human civilization began, they used caves, trees, etc. During the peasant era, human life began to complicated with various new inventions such as fire, wheel, farming and so on.

There simple houses were made of natural materials such as clay, leaves, wood, bamboo, dry wood, dung, straw, glue etc. For an example indigenous houses in Sri Lanka and African tribal houses.
Later Indus valley civilization, Nile valley civilization, Houngho river valley civilization used eco-friendly methods for building, according to ancient records and ruins. Like making buildings with using container lines.

Permanent settlements were built on the increasing complexity of human life in the face of population growth, globalization and urbanization. Materials such as concrete, steel, grass, VOCs, phthalates, formaldehyde, petrolenm were used, going beyond environmental raw materials decompose and add to the environment, such materials do not decomposed.

According the concept of CRADLE TO CRADLE, the eco friendly material decomposes into chains and cycles, but in the concept of CRADLE TO GRAVE, the above mentioned environmentally not friendly material does not decompose. For an example plastics and heavy materials. Researchers say that the raw materials can be recycled, but it is not a successful method because it emits a large amount of energy to the environment. It directly affects the ecological balance and the biological balance.

The two main recognitions of ECO MIMICRY and BIO MIMICRY are important when talking about ecofriendly building construction. Examples are the work of renowned architect Keng Yeang, Corbusier and Sri Lankan architects Arosha Gamage, Geofry Bawa. The green building concept is a good alternative method used today. There is a direct solution to the damage to the ecosystem that occurs during land use. For an example, in the projects such as Geofry Bawa’s Kandalama, they are built in such a way that the biological components are not compromised.

In addition, it is important to use the biological and ecofriendly materials mentioned above for constructions. For an example include wood, bamboo, coconut twigs, precast concrete, straw bales, sheep’s wool and plant based polyurethane rigid form. Permanent recreation of such raw material using modern technology and afforestation many problems can be solved by redeveloping lost resources.

‘’Time spent among trees is never time wasted.’’
-Anonymous-

Although wood is environmentally friendly, overuse can cause problems. But reforestation and proper use can solve even such problems.

The concept of eco garden is at the forefront of landscaping. In the past, there were gardens associated with Zen Buddhism. They are gardens built to protect sensitive environmental factors and to integrate them. Studying such sources can provide stimuli for eco garden, green paths, green walking paths, green gardens.

When using granite for construction and buildings based on granite masses, large amounts of noise, heat, and energy are released, damaging the environmental balance. It is worthwhile to study in depth the constructions that were left to bind some natural medicine solution to the rocks of ancient Sri Lanka. From all this it is clear that there are many lessions that man can learn from the past. Carving of Buddha statues such as Aukana, Gal viharaya, Amarawathi, Saranath, cave complexes such as Sigiriya, Ajantha, Ellora, Bhag, Kajuraho and their intricated carvings can be used for an examples. In addition, strategies such as drip cutting and tampita temples used in the past can be reused.

Although any decomposing material is sustainable, not all recyclable materials are eco friendly. Therefore, it is very important to make meaningful discoveries using modern technology. The more sensitive we are to the environment, the environment becomes to us. The one who behaves in the Dhamma and protects the Dhamma is protected by the environment which protects the environment.
‘’Progressis impossible without change, and those who cannot change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.’’
-George Bernard Shaw-
So shouldn’t the first thing to do is change the way people think? No harm should be done to the environment that provides the breath to live. By eliminating selfishness and acting unselfishly, environmental factors can be prevented and future generations can be protected. Therefore it is very important to adopt eco friendly practices not only in the constructional field but also in all other parties.