Assessment Of Green Building Criteria In Buildings (Case Study: Bureau Building, Administrative Center Of The University Of North Sumatra).
Introduction
The issue of global warming is a serious challenge faced by the world community today, and development activities are often considered as one of the main causes. This activity has the potential to have a negative impact on the environment, so it is essential for construction actors to have adequate awareness and knowledge to minimize these adverse effects. One of the strategic steps that can be taken is the application of the concept of green building. Green building is a design and construction process that minimizes the negative impact of buildings on the environment and promotes sustainability.
In Indonesia, the Eco-Campus program is growing as an initiative to preserve the environment, and this spurred various universities to adapt, including the University of North Sumatra (USU). Although the buildings in USU are not fully designed in accordance with the criteria for green building during early construction, there are several elements of the application of the concept. However, the results are not yet fully optimal. Therefore, an in-depth evaluation of buildings is needed to find out the extent of the application of the Green Building criteria, so that it can be the first step for the Eco-Campus program in the future.
The Importance of Green Building in the University of North Sumatra
The University of North Sumatra (USU) is one of the leading universities in Indonesia, and it has a significant impact on the environment. The university's administration center building is a crucial part of the campus, and it serves as a symbol of the university's commitment to sustainability. However, the building's design and construction process do not fully meet the criteria for green building. This study aims to measure Green Building criteria based on Greenship-GBCI standards in the USU Administration Center Bureau building through direct observation methods and verification interviews.
The data collected shows that of a total of 41 Greenship criteria, this building gained 33 points from 117 maximum points. Thus, this building is still considered to have not met the criteria as a building that applies the concept of green building, because the minimum value to reach the bronze ranking is 35 points. This result indicates that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the application of green building in the USU administration center building.
Analysis of Green Building Application in USU
The application of the concept of green building in the USU central administrative central bureau building shows that there is still a lot of room for improvement. The value of 33 points obtained from the evaluated criteria reflects that although there are some environmentally friendly elements, the whole strategy in implementing green building has not been maximized. This can be caused by a lack of knowledge and awareness of the principles of green building among the designers and implementers of development.
There are several criteria that are the main focus in the evaluation of green building, such as energy efficiency, the use of environmentally friendly materials, water management, and the comfort of residents. Awareness to implement a more efficient energy management system and the use of more environmentally friendly building materials is an important step towards sustainable buildings. For example, using an energy-efficient lighting system and utilizing renewable energy sources can increase the criteria value of green building.
The Role of Stakeholders in Implementing Green Building
To achieve the status of green building, the USU Administrative Center Bureau building needs to make a comprehensive improvement. One of the first steps that can be taken is to introduce training programs for building managers and construction workers regarding the principles of green building. In addition, involving various stakeholders, including students and the surrounding community, in the implementation of the Eco-Campus program can create a joint awareness to protect the environment.
Routine evaluation must also be done to measure the progress of the application of green building in other buildings on campus. By utilizing the latest technology and updating the design approach, USU can contribute greater to climate change mitigation efforts and prepare a more sustainable environment for future generations.
Conclusion
By complying with the principles of green building and applying relevant innovations, the University of North Sumatra can not only improve the quality of buildings on campus, but also play a role in global efforts to fight climate change and create a better environment. The assessment of green building criteria in the USU administration center building is a crucial step towards achieving sustainability in the university's development activities. By identifying the areas of improvement and implementing the necessary changes, USU can become a model for other universities in Indonesia and contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Training programs: Introduce training programs for building managers and construction workers regarding the principles of green building.
- Involvement of stakeholders: Involve various stakeholders, including students and the surrounding community, in the implementation of the Eco-Campus program.
- Routine evaluation: Conduct routine evaluation to measure the progress of the application of green building in other buildings on campus.
- Utilization of latest technology: Utilize the latest technology and update the design approach to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.
- Comprehensive improvement: Make a comprehensive improvement in the application of green building in the USU administration center building.
By implementing these recommendations, USU can achieve the status of green building and contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.
Q: What is green building?
A: Green building is a design and construction process that minimizes the negative impact of buildings on the environment and promotes sustainability. It involves the use of environmentally friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and water conservation techniques to reduce the building's carbon footprint.
Q: Why is green building important?
A: Green building is important because it helps to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainability. It also helps to reduce energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation, which can lead to cost savings and improved indoor air quality.
Q: What are the benefits of green building?
A: The benefits of green building include:
- Reduced energy consumption and costs
- Improved indoor air quality and occupant health
- Water conservation and reduced water bills
- Reduced waste generation and landfill disposal
- Increased property value and marketability
- Improved employee productivity and retention
- Enhanced brand reputation and corporate social responsibility
Q: What are the challenges of implementing green building?
A: The challenges of implementing green building include:
- Higher upfront costs
- Limited availability of green building materials and technologies
- Complexity of green building design and construction processes
- Limited knowledge and expertise among building owners, managers, and occupants
- Limited government incentives and policies to support green building
Q: How can I get started with green building?
A: To get started with green building, you can:
- Conduct a green building assessment to identify areas for improvement
- Develop a green building plan and budget
- Research and select green building materials and technologies
- Hire a green building consultant or architect
- Obtain necessary permits and approvals
- Implement green building strategies and monitor progress
Q: What are the different levels of green building certification?
A: The different levels of green building certification include:
- Certified: Meets minimum green building standards
- Silver: Exceeds minimum green building standards by 10-20%
- Gold: Exceeds minimum green building standards by 20-30%
- Platinum: Exceeds minimum green building standards by 30-40%
Q: How can I measure the success of my green building project?
A: To measure the success of your green building project, you can:
- Track energy and water consumption
- Monitor indoor air quality and occupant health
- Conduct regular green building assessments
- Evaluate employee productivity and retention
- Measure property value and marketability
Q: What are the future trends in green building?
A: The future trends in green building include:
- Increased use of renewable energy sources
- Improved energy efficiency and water conservation
- Increased use of sustainable materials and technologies
- Integration of green building with other sustainability initiatives
- Development of new green building standards and certifications
By understanding these FAQs, you can better navigate the world of green building and make informed decisions about your own green building project.