Promote sustainable architecture
The building industry is among the most polluting industries in France. It accounts for 43% of the country's energy consumption and generates 23% of greenhouse gas emissions. According to Insee, the building and construction sectors are the 3rd largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in France. It is therefore crucial to implement practices aimed at reducing our environmental impact for each architectural project, regardless of its scale. To do this, several parameters need to be considered.
The important choice of materials
Today, the most commonly used construction materials are concrete, cement, and steel, yet the production of these materials is harmful to the environment because they are very demanding in terms of energy and water, they create a lot of polluting waste, and once destroyed, they are generally not recycled and non-recyclable.
That's why it's important to favor the use of low-carbon materials such as bio-sourced materials: wood, cork, sheep's wool, hemp... or recyclable materials because they can have a second life and avoid the use of new materials.
Reuse
Why not opt for reuse? This can be an option at several levels. From the design of the project, it is possible to choose existing materials rather than creating new ones, while adapting them to our needs. You can also reuse furniture that will be added to the project and transform or refurbish it to meet your expectations.
Energy efficiency
We often think about construction materials but not enough about the energy efficiency of the building or housing, yet it is crucial because when all the work is completed, heating, air conditioning, and lighting represent a large part of energy expenses, especially if this energy is produced by fossil fuels. To overcome this, you can consider using renewable energies by installing solar panels, for example.
Apartment renovations can also reduce the carbon impact, especially by opting for works that aim to optimize the insulation qualities of old apartments and buildings that are energy sieves. This will limit excessive use of heating.
Make sure to maximize natural light so that spaces are more easily illuminated to limit the use of artificial lighting.
Sustainable furnishing
To furnish your interior more ethically, you can draw inspiration from the minimalist design trend, which involves furnishing and decorating a space only with functional furniture and essential items for daily life, rather than over-consuming and filling your space with unnecessary decorative elements.
You can also favor modular furniture, which will be more durable because it is adaptable and usable for every moment.
Sources: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr