22 A durable sustainability case
Sustainability needs to encompass long-term durability factors in addition to embodied energy to provide an accurate picture. Keith Aldis of BDA (Brick Development Association) explains how achieving this bolsters the eco case for brick
adapts it can seem difficult to achieve a true and fair comparison of potential material options. This is especially true when comparing new materials on the market that come with great sustainability credentials but have not yet been tested for durability or longevity. In addition to being an iconic part of our built environment’s architectural history, traditional building materials have stood the test of time and can now offer us certainty as we navigate our way through how we look at the circular economy.
Standing strong W
hen considering the materials that may be used in a building’s exterior envelope – one of the
most critical elements for a structure overall – the cost effectiveness of each component and option is generally scrutinised, often over a relatively short time frame rather than for an extended building life expectancy. Through this simplified decision-making process there are often occasions where an individual component’s actual life cycle is miscalculated, or incorrectly reflected.
Durability and longevity of the various material components can dramatically influence the sustainability of projects. The correct use of a material can extend a building’s life, protect its other components, and be flexibly repurposed. To truly reflect the sustainability credentials of a building’s envelope or an entire project, these factors would need to be considered, especially with products making up a significant portion of the structure. As the discussion around a circular economy grows and
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If you take a look at the components used in many of the UK’s historic buildings and high streets, it is clear that brick has a track record of not only lasting a very long time but ageing beautifully as well. A well designed and constructed brick building has a typical lifespan of 150 years or more. Currently, materials are certified under the assumption that all material components will have a lifespan not exceeding 60 years. Brick’s track-record offers certainty that the material will exceed this lifespan, which is important because even with the most efficient and sustainable processes and testing in place, all materials need to stand the test of time. When a completed home or development is made with materials or a mix of the wrong components it will require significant maintenance or may be demolished all together, a process that is wasteful, expensive and not sustainable when looking into the longer term. Where materials come from and the distance they travel to a building site or through their own production is also an important aspect when looking at building more sustainably. For example, clay brick is produced in ample quantities across the UK at over 56 locations to satisfy the growing demand for new quality-built homes and buildings. Using locally sourced products made in the UK significantly reduces transport costs and the carbon emissions involved in the delivery of these products.
ADF AUGUST 2022
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