The Green Boom in Building Construction Industry: How Green Technologies Impact Global and Russian Practices

The buildings generate their own energy, their rooftops resemble blooming gardens, and the facades absorb sunlight. Each building is not only a housing and workspace but also a reflection of care and attention to the environment... Can you imagine a city like this?

It isn't a sci-fi movie scene. It is the future of green building, a set of technologies that rapidly transform the landscapes of metropolitan areas around the world.

It is a response to global ecological challenges, bringing changes not only to architecture but to the way we live.

In the next seven minutes, we will explain what 'green building' actually is, how it is evolving worldwide, and what opportunities lie ahead for Russia.

Green Building: Saving the Planet Starting Right from Your Living Room

If you think 'green building' is just a trendy phrase, think again. It's not about fashion, it's about the green development mission aimed at protecting our planet.

Imagine, for a moment, a house that is committed to the environment and cares for our planet every single day. Green building utilizes eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and innovative solutions that benefit the environment and its inhabitants (for instance, by reducing carbon footprints).

Top-5 Principles of Green Building

Studying hard, finding a job, building a house, and planting a tree — that is the typical list of life goals. But how can we achieve all this without harming ourselves and our planet? That is often left unspoken.

Green building solves the following challenges.

1. Energy efficiency

Any building can be energy-efficient, and moreover, it may generate electricity. BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) solutions, such as photovoltaic facade systems, are a clear example. Long story short, your walls and roof can function as solar panels (a solar power plant or SPP), generating power for the entire residential building.

2. Eco-friendly materials

This principle goes beyond using natural stone and wood, but it also involves innovative composites. Imagine combining the best qualities of several materials into one super-material — a composite that is lighter, stronger, and more resistant to environmental impacts. A building like that is not only environmentally friendly but also long-lasting.

3. Saving water

Your house can conserve water by recycling rainwater for irrigation or even for domestic use.

4. Smart technologies

Your home becomes as smart as a smartphone, optimizing lighting, heating, and water usage. So you can enjoy comfort while saving money by using resources efficiently.

5. Green roofs and facades

The final principle brings aesthetic pleasure, but the benefits of technology extend beyond that. Such technologies contribute to microclimate regulation and biodiversity. The roof transforms into a genuine garden, supporting flowers and bees. Meanwhile, a green-covered facade improves air quality and reduces noise pollution.

Do Your Facades Work for You? Energy Efficiency First

There are buildings with facades that absorb every ray of sunlight that hits their roofs and walls. Why do they need this? That is the way the building generates its own power.

For energy efficiency like that, the tech world has introduced an innovative solution — BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) solar panels.

BIPV technologies enable the integration of photovoltaic systems directly into the building's architecture, transforming facades and roofs into mini power plants. The key advantage is a reduction in electricity bills for residents, while the installation cost of facade solar stations is comparable to any other ventilated facade.

BIPV modules replace the buildings' facade finish, which means they must be aesthetically appealing while providing architectural expression. Meet up to 150 different color options!

Now, let's focus on the most important aspect: solar panels help reduce CO2 emissions, making buildings more eco-friendly. Moreover, they contribute to energy independence, which is particularly important in times of fluctuating energy costs. These all make houses more resilient to economic shocks.

Thus, using  BIPV systems is a crucial step toward achieving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. You can read about these goals and their associated risks in the following article.

Global and Russian Practices: Who's Ahead?

Sustainability in the building industry is supported by global standards such as LEED, BREEAM, etc. These standards regulate the use of green technologies and materials, promote the implementation of energy-saving solutions, and ensure the resilience of buildings.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

For instance, China demonstrates significant progress in ecology. The issuance of green certificates has increased thirteenfold. That is only in the first half of 2024. The NEA (National Energy Administration of China) has issued 486 million certificates, of which 197 million are for wind energy, 133 million for solar power, and 102 million for traditional hydroelectric energy.

Since these standards left the Russian market, it faced certain challenges. However, this does not mean Russia is not developing or ranked low in this area. Russian experts have developed national standards, such as Green Building Standards and Green Design for residential and commercial buildings.

Unigreen Energy actively supports green standards by offering Clever certification. We also make everything possible to comply with national GOST standards, fostering the development of environmentally friendly building technologies.

That involves the following eight categories.

1. Green architecture.
2. Environmental safety with proper site planning.
3. Infrastructure.
4. Indoor environmental quality and comfort.
5. Energy efficiency.
6. Waste production and consumption
7. Organization of building construction process.
8. Materials and resource efficiency

Green Building: Challenges and Prospects

The key challenges that the green building industry faces in Russia stem from the high cost of environmentally friendly technologies, lack of information, and a shortage of highly qualified pros. Plus, limited funding for green projects prevents their expansion. However, our company actively promotes the green housing subsidy, which accelerates the implementation of environmentally friendly projects and makes them more attractive.

Environmental trends in Russia are gaining momentum. Demand for green building facades, solar panels, and BIPV solutions is rising in major cities with support from both the government and private investors. For instance, in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, you can see green roofs that contribute to improved microclimate and environmental conditions.

'Thinking about the future, acting today' is our driving force.

                                                                                                                                                               © Unigreen Energy.

At Unigreen Energy, we believe that green building is a significant step towards sustainability. These superhero buildings enable us to live both comfortably and sustainably. And the best part is these technologies are available right today. We help businesses in bringing their projects to life, making them more eco-friendly and green. We take full responsibility for every stage of the process, from design to the installation of solar panels and building solar power plants.

An example of green architecture is the smart home 'Helios', a project of our company created using a solar facade system. 'Helios' is the first innovative 24-story residential building in Russia that generates its own electricity for elevators, entryway and courtyard lighting, intercom systems, facade illumination, and more. By implementing this project, we installed 465 Type-B BIPV modules, each with a power output of 390 watts.