Importance of Alternative Construction Technology in Steel for Better Ecological Sustainability: Reminiscence and Future Outlook

Sustainability is always expressed in terms of the endurance of systems and processes. The objective for ecological sustainability is sustainable development of human shelters. A building is a designed intervention into the natural setting of the environment. The existing ecosystem always gets a deep impact due to the decision of constructing a building. Architecture in a broader sense serves to human comfort which is inherently the main objective of design. While catering to this need, the designer is into difficult situation to maintain the balance of natural ecosystem and human comfort. With current global awareness of sustainability, it has become prime duty of an architect to be extremely sensitive towards the environment. In green building practice, both the structure and the processes need to be environmentally responsible, resource efficient, throughout the life cycle of the building. A conscious approach is to be maintained in the design and execution of a building, which will create a good harmony with the built and unbuilt environment. Steel proves to be a versatile material for construction of buildings because of its, strength, uniformity, ease of operation and many other desirable properties. Similarly every component of steel used in construction contains recycled content. Steel components can be recovered and recycled periodically into new high quality products. Steel is durable, safe, and strong. Steel used for framing will last from hundreds to over a thousand years due to its zinc coating, a natural element. Steel structures require less material to carry the same loads as concrete or masonry units. Thus steel has been largely recommended to use as green material by experts. Steel projects can ensure for a building that is durable, proves true to the test of time and available for generations to come without creating a threat to the environment. The current research paper focuses on the intervention of design and execution of building in the unbuilt environment due to steel construction. The researcher reviews the research papers available, and find out the future potential of steel as an effective construction material with the approach of sustainable ecosystem. The researcher tries to find out how use of steel for human shelters can promote a more sensitive sustainable construction practice which is the need of the time.