Delivering Sustainable Housing through Material Choice

Increasing importance is being placed on sustainability worldwide to limit climate change’s effects. In New Zealand, a sizeable increase in demand for housing driving residential construction boom, with new dwelling consents increasing yearly the last decade. The Zealand Government’s commitment has become legislation through Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. Therefore, next stage how industry can and reduce its carbon emissions one of strategies, namely material choice. This study was intended examine influence various building materials change identify more sustainable home design may contribute government’s 2050 reduction targets. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) used this investigate global warming potential (GWP) produced by five case houses options envelope components. focused environmental impact high usage that have shown an ability conform Building Code standards. It found House 1 (with timber flooring founded senton piles concrete footings, frame, plywood wall cladding, metal roof cladding) 2 waffle slab, light steel masonry had lowest GWP compared other houses, 631.13 633.16 kg CO2eq/m2, respectively. However, it should be noted all were not similar size design. addition, investigated different foundation, framing, cladding. some or are common could as option having lower emissions, such 3D-printed blocks brick cladding systems.