Following sustainable practices involves making conscious choices to reduce carbon footprint and live in harmony with nature. Today sustainable practices are adopted in the construction of many multifamily projects to lower its overall environmental impact. As Kanat Sultanbekov says, an increasing number of investors and residents today are considering the environmental impacts of multifamily housing at a more comprehensive, educated level, and turning towards new tech and nature-based solutions.
Kanat Sultanbekov talks about sustainable practices in multifamily construction
Younger generations that make the largest pool of residents for multifamily buildings, tend to care about their carbon footprint. In fact, they are often willing to pay more for apartments managed by teams focused on environmental sustainability. Hence, and developers, owners and managers of multifamily homes must focus on making their communities appealing to this group.
There are a number of eco-friendly design trends that can be utilized in the construction of multifamily buildings to attract more buyers and tenants. Here are a few of them:
- Tankless water heater: These heaters heat the amount of water one would need, when they need it, rather than constantly heating water. They take up less space in comparison to traditional water heaters. Tankless water heater work faster and also does not require ventilation. Heat pumps are also an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional water heaters.
- Eco-friendly flooring: Based on the type of flooring needed at a home, eco-friendly flooring options can be used. Multifamily constructions can benefit from the use of eco-friendly flooring options by creating a more sustainable design for the tenants and the environment. Commonly used flooring options like tile and hardwood are not sustainable. Rather it can be better to use cork flooring, bamboo flooring or some other recycled materials for the multifamily construction. Sustainable flooring options may also improve the air quality within homes.
- Cargotecture: Cargotecture implies to the process of using recycled shipping containers for the purpose of building homes. Shipping containers are usually thrown away, but they essentially have a practical use in sustainable construction. These containers are pretty durable and can provide more strength to the structure of buildings in comparison to many other conventional building elements.
- Non-toxic materials: Many traditional construction materials contain harsh solvents and chemicals that can hamper the environment. Formaldehyde is found in particle board, plywood and pressed wood products. On the other hand, paints, stains and adhesives release harmful chemicals into the air. By using non-toxic materials like non-toxic woods and VOC-free paints, developers can ensure more eco-friendly multifamily building construction.
In addition to following the trends mentioned above, the installation of energy-efficient windows, and the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar panels can also be used to enhance the energy efficiency of multifamily buildings. Conventional construction methods often involve the use of energy-intensive materials, contribute to excessive waste generation, and have a substantial carbon footprint. As Kanat Sultanbekov says, many modern developers and property managers are shifting to eco-friendly design that focuses on minimizing these negative environmental effects through sustainable and resource-efficient practices.
