This book contains technical information relevant to contemporary architecture and the environmental impact from the construction materials for various ecosystems under different conditions. It is focused on proposing principles for the evaluation of building materials in relation to their suitability for sustainable construction, for example, materials that are grown (grasses, hemp, bamboo, vines, and goods), materials that are extracted (earth, stone, brick, and concrete), materials that are made (glass, metals, steel, cooper, aluminum, zinc, and lead), and plastics or composites. The book is comprised of four parts: Part I—Selecting Building Materials for Reduced Impacts on Ecosystem Services, Part II—Choosing Sustainable Materials, Part III—Indoor Toxicity from Building Materials, and Part IV—Case Studies.
Part I discusses the selection of building materials for reducing “ecosystem services,” which are carried out for different types of materials using sustainability analyses. The topic can be complex, as a building material can be considered sustainable or not when understood in the context of the design, climate, and culture.
Part II is about the sustainable materials selection by professionals engaged in design and specifications. There is an interesting description of the usage of construction materials, applications, and, most importantly, sustainability recommendations to minimize the ecological impact when designers and architects select the most suitable materials (those with a long life, low maintenance, and low-embodied energy).
Readers should pay special attention to Part III. Every material releases pollution as a result of its interaction with environment conditions (indoor or outdoor). This must be taken into account during the lifetime of every material, because the pollution affects human health. As expressed in the book: “What is the point in saving energy and protecting the natural habitat if the same choice damages the health of the building’s users?” This section makes an important and novel contribution due to its proposal of a new approach to this problem by evaluating the pattern in existing recognition of issues associated with the toxicity of building materials, such as lead and asbestos. A table lists the substances that are regulated in the building industry (e.g., formaldehyde, phthalate plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride) and their possible effects on human health. Another table presents a comparison between regulated levels of volatile organic compounds in carpets and the classification of the same chemicals for impact on human health.
Part IV reviews case studies. Notable examples include traditional building in Serbia, palm-thatched building in Mexico, and the New Zealand House. These case studies are useful to compare and develop similar projects regarding sustainable building.
References are complete and appropriate for each section. A specific technical background is not necessary to understand the content. This book focuses on the ontological considerations of building materials and is relevant for all those interested in sustainable building, including professionals in the construction industry.
Reviewer: Miriam Sánchez Pozos of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Mexico.
