What is Scandinavia currently "focusing on" ?
- Reducing the carbon footprint, Life Cycle Assessment
It is important not to isolate only the carbon footprint associated with the material itself, but also with the production process, transport and end of life (recyclability, reuse ). Efforts should be made to ensure that materials are sourced from local manufacturers and that they are 'clean' - so that they can be given a second use at the end of a building's life. Basic ways to reduce carbon footprint:
- local products or mass transit
- avoiding products derived from oil (plastics) and concrete - Global Warming Potential
The building should have the lowest possible energy loss in winter, while avoiding overheating in summer (e.g. through too large window openings on the south side or lack of solar control systems) so that mechanical ventilation is used as little as possible during the year. It is possible to ventilate buildings with heat recovery, i.e. recuperation. Passive house requirements: U-value of building envelope max. 0.12 - Designing for human comfort and a healthy interior microclimate
Maintaining an interior comfort zone adapted to the climate zone, the activity level of the occupants, their lifestyle and personal preferences;
No overheating (windows with U= max 0.8), access to daylight (window area to room area minimum 12.5%) - Biodiversity
The building process and its life cycle should disturb the natural environment as little as possible. Trees present on the plot shall not be cut down - only replanted elsewhere; gardens shall be landscaped with local non-invasive vegetation, and a section of land shall be set aside for a rain garden as a place to collect rainwater and snowmelt. - Abandoning sand
Sand is a scarce commodity worldwide and its illegal extraction is causing islands in many countries to gradually 'melt' . Minimising the use of sand, and therefore reducing the use of concrete, is a nod to the planet's resources. - Wood instead of wool.
Mineral wool, despite its natural origin, is not biodegradable and not human-friendly as such. Its lifespan in unaltered properties is about 10 years. In addition, it releases almost no moisture in either direction, so stagnation can occur between the layers, resulting in the release of substances that are harmful to health. The most climatically and environmentally optimal solution for thermal insulation is wood fibres, cellulose and straw. - Heat recovery
Recuperation with heat recovery, which can be used to reheat rooms, is recommended for installation in any pro-climate building.
