| Conceptual Reference Database for Building Envelope Research |
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| Essay:Building envelope research -- necessityAccording to Worldwatch Institute,building construction consumes 40% of the raw stone, gravel, and sand used globally each year, and 25% of the virgin wood. Buildings also account for 40% of the energy and 16% of the water used annually worldwide ( Roodman and Lenssen, 1995, A building revolution: how ecology and health concerns are transforming construction )). In Canada alone, about 40% of the national annual resource expenditure is consumed by the construction industry.People spend spend up to 90% of their time inside the built environment ( Spengler and Sexton, 1983, Indoor air pollution: A public health perspective ;; Hawken et al., 1999, Natural capitalism: creating the next industrial revolution )). The quality of indoor environment directly impose on ones' health and welfare.
Building envelope separates the outdoor hash climates and provides a comfort setting for our daily life. The performance of this envelope has a great influence on the energy consumption, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and productivity.
[Nov, 2002] | ||||||||||