The current coronavirus pandemic, besides drawing prime attention to maintaining people’s health, manifest the importance of sustainability.
People are realizing that sustainability goes beyond environmentalism. Solutions should create better living conditions for residents—bigger living spaces, more pocket parks, an integrated community experience, proximity to medical institutions, and more.
Sustainable homes, for one, more than their positive impact on the environment, could come with extra security and safety measures for their residents. They save costs by reducing energy consumption and offer additional health benefits in times of health crisis.
Here are some sustainable housing solutions that could benefit the residents in the new normal.
Bigger windows besides saving energy, also give energy
Big windows provide homes with an abundance of natural light and other benefits. They can can reduce dependence on artificial lighting, consequently shaving off electricity costs in the long run. Natural light is also a great source of Vitamin D, a critical nutrient that helps boost a good mood and stimulate the brain.
Water-efficient toilet fixtures save water, improve bathroom hygiene
Flushing toilets is the biggest water hog at home, using up to 7 gallons of water with every flush. Water-efficient toilet fixtures, such as those that have dual flush technology, reduce water waste, yet provide thorough cleaning in a single, low-volume flush.
Besides conserving water and saving costs, these fixtures reduce cleaning time for the user as it is hygienic by nature.
LED lights are long-lasting and provide improved safety
Light emitting diodes (LED) lights last on an average of 35,000 to 100,000 operating hours and are more durable and sustainable than the traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights. They also generally consume 90 percent less power making them energy and cost-efficient.
LED lighting is also innately hazard-free. LEDs emit almost no warmth, therefore they are cool to touch and can be left on for hours. It also operates effectively on low-voltage electrical systems, which means the chances of fire incidents from LED lighting is much lower.
Open lawns and landscape gardens clean the air, relieve stress
Garden landscapes at home are truly therapeutic. When work-from-home arrangement takes its toll, the green façade and calming hues will lessen agitation and speed up emotional upturn.
Plants produce more oxygen and boost mood, while gardens with full-grown trees and shrubs create pockets of sanctuary from harsh sunlight.
Because normal travel may still be unlikely in the near future, the green and open spaces in condos or residential properties are probably the closest physical simulation of a destination spot.
Some building materials cool down surfaces and body temp, and provide communal heat relief
A home with a “cool roof” may not be important to residents at first, but the benefits of this feature are highly evident during mid-day heatwaves.
Cool roof is a roofing system designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than the typical dark roof. Structures with cool roof reduce the amount of heat that enters the home.
The use of these materials not only allow for better energy efficiency but also improve thermal comfort for residents. On a much larger scale, this housing solution further reduces the heat-island effect on the community, adjusting the overall heat index altogether.
In the hopes that the pandemic is already waning, real-estate developers are considering more innovative solutions that could future-proof their projects from potential crises.
On its part, premier developer Federal Land Inc. is exploring more and better housing solutions that could provide all-around benefits to its future residents.
Post-pandemic solutions are now under way, such as contactless operations for elevators, parking, and payment transactions and UV filters for centralized air-conditioning system. The developer is also incorporating design elements such as convertible spaces—foyer as a disinfection area, and den as a workspace.
Amid the pandemic situation, sustainability is no longer just part of a greener initiative but an encompassing and necessary response to any future challenges.
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