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Design+ Importance of material selection

longer for completion, and would like to care less about buildings can potentially save 20 – 40% of energy in the
maintenance. It is crucial that designers who choose construction sector. 44,62 On the other hand, studies reported
materials prioritize durability, availability, availability of that the share of embodied energy in life cycle energy use
skilled labor, and esthetics and that marketing is done with can be as high as 46% in low-energy buildings and 38%
this in mind. in conventional buildings. Using cost-effective materials
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Another result of the study is that the material’s can reduce strain on the budget and allow for a sustainable
popularity is the least important criterion for the construction approach. Materials such as recycled steel,
participants. This shows that the participants do not rammed earth, adobe, bamboo, and cork can offer the same
consider building materials as goods and anticipate strength and beauty as traditional materials but are more
prolonged usage of these materials. For users, a durable environmentally friendly and cost-effective. By prioritizing
and esthetic finishing material is more valuable than a cost-effective materials, architects and designers can create
trendy material. beautiful, functional spaces that are both affordable and
sustainable. 45
The sustainability criteria in the selection of materials
covered in this study have been largely suggested also Participants attributed relatively high importance to
by Treloar et al. In their study, long-lasting materials non-toxic and renewable materials. In contrast, the two
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that do not require frequent replacement, local materials criteria they attach lower importance to were the use of
instead of those transported over long distances, materials recyclable or recycled materials and materials extracted or
incorporating high content recycled or previously used produced locally. Research indicated that there is a prevalent
matters, materials with low embodied energy, and negative viewpoint toward reclaimed materials, with a
preference for buildings constructed using new materials
materials that reduce net energy usage during the operation rather than those utilizing recovered materials. However,
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period are found as the preferred choices. In Lin’s study using recycled materials and using local materials are
investigating the role of sustainable building materials important factors for sustainability. The circular economy
in ecological construction, durability, low maintenance approach to building materials involves a continuous flow
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requirements, energy saving, non-toxicity, and local origin of materials through procurement, use, dismantling, reuse,
were the sustainability criteria emphasized.
recycling, and recovery. Similarly, Ibuchim et al. pointed
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Interestingly, the French word for sustainability is out the importance of using recycled and local materials
durabilité. The durability of construction materials is at in green buildings. Embedded emissions of materials can
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the heart of the sustainability of the built environment. account for up to 68% of 50-year life cycle emissions.
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A material’s overall environmental impact will decrease if it More than 30% of greenhouse gases are estimated to
does not require frequent replacement. On the other hand, be emitted from the construction sector in developing
flimsy materials lead to premature deterioration, safety countries. Using recyclable or recycled materials can
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risks, economic burdens, and negative environmental significantly contribute to sustainability by reducing
impacts, negatively impacting sustainability in resource consumption, minimizing environmental
environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The damage, and reducing waste. A sustainable building is
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ease of maintenance of sustainable materials means that considered a long-term strategy to reduce life cycle costs
they do not require frequent cleaning or painting, thus and passive environmental impacts. 38
saving time and resources in ways similar to the durability Using locally sourced building materials makes it
context. The respondents’ awareness of this whole situation possible to create beautiful, durable structures while
has led them to attribute the highest importance to the contributing to reducing carbon emissions, combating
durability and ease of maintenance of the material. On the climate change, and minimizing the environmental
other hand, the poor quality of building materials may be footprint. 49,50 Local materials, such as bamboo, stone,
an obstacle to implementing the circular economy in the adobe, cork, laminated timber, plant-based polyurethane
construction sector. 17
rigid foam, sheep’s wool, and straw bales, can be generally
The second most important aspects in terms of natural and inexpensive materials with low environmental
sustainability were energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, impact. Those materials can be obtained from the regions
to which the same degree of importance was attributed. close to the construction site, as well as materials obtained
Energy efficiency is one of the first aspects regarding from factories in the immediate vicinity. Local materials
sustainability for buildings that need to be dealt with. contribute to environmental sustainability and economic
Significant savings can be achieved using good thermal sustainability owing to their low costs, as well as social
insulation and efficient heating and cooling equipment. sustainability through their reflection of the region and its
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Taking measures to improve the energy efficiency of culture.

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 11 doi: 10.36922/dp.4491