ENG 101
Live Essay Presentation
Laura Darrow
Green Construction
As construction continues to shape the world and despite economic lulls, this industry is a constant. Building and creating is a part of human nature. The recent recession has impacted the construction tremendously. “Today, 2.1 million construction workers are out of a job. Jobs are down 38 percent since 2006 in residential construction alone (Hendricks, Golden 1.)” Green construction will be the resolution, it will demand a diverse workforce for building better.The products and services produced from the construction industry can range from excavating tunnels to erecting towers. As well as building new structures, the industry’s activities include maintenance, renovations, and demolition. There are three mainstream types of construction; residential, commercial, and industrial. Construction is greatly dependent on cycles and seasons. Project costs are in direct relation of geographic location, interest rates, and tax laws. These effect the cost of material, the payment rate for labor, and the growth or decline of employment. The state of construction is determined by the fluctuations of the economy, making it a career of peaks and valleys.
The general requirements for a construction management position demand some field work experience and education. Workers who enter the industry with an educated background progress faster in the workplace. Yet, this depends on the company, a majority of construction managers are self employed. These positions can be attained through years of experience, ascending through positions to achieve management level. Most corporate employers hire construction managers with a Bachelor’s Degree and with some field/ trade work experience, this is becoming the standard. Colleges and Universities offer Bachelor’s Degrees in construction science, construction management, building science, and civil engineering. This opens employment opportunities as general contractors, constructors, project managers, project engineers, construction superintendents, or construction supervisors.
The duties and responsibilities of construction managers are to plan, coordinate, budget and direct the building process of these projects. Managers visit the projects they oversee to make sure that there employees and subcontractors are doing there jobs correctly and safely.
This environment can be stressful on managers with high levels of responsibility. Problems can arise on a day to day basis. The biggest problems in construction are caused by human error; communication errors between contractors, workers, clients, and manufactures. Another problem in this field is employee turnover. Weather is a significant factor that can slow or stop work. Most of these problems occur from economic conditions. Economic and weather variables are beyond human control. It is essential to have the skills to solve problems and the patience to work through them, or be resourceful enough to improvise.
This environment can be stressful on managers with high levels of responsibility. Problems can arise on a day to day basis. The biggest problems in construction are caused by human error; communication errors between contractors, workers, clients, and manufactures. Another problem in this field is employee turnover. Weather is a significant factor that can slow or stop work. Most of these problems occur from economic conditions. Economic and weather variables are beyond human control. It is essential to have the skills to solve problems and the patience to work through them, or be resourceful enough to improvise.
Adversity and draw backs are causing this industry to modify materials and products, or use a modified practice that uses materials more efficiently. Resources that are scarce cause materials to be more expensive. “What’s really wrong with conventional building techniques is that they are often haphazard and wasteful. Houses built with too little forethought can be uncomfortable, expensive to heat and cool and ill suited... (What’s Wrong)”
Building green is the solution for these problems. Modified methods are adopted to use materials more conservatively, or using a different material to avoid the overwhelming expenses. An example of a method would be advanced framing; using wood more efficiently to frame a house, or modifying a product that may have been made with a petroleum base, to a new product with a different base such as, plastic, fiberglass, or a type of synthetic. This could be more eco-friendly, while having a better product output. Building green isn’t brand new, this practice/concept has been developing over decades. A future home owner should consider building green, there are more prospects than disadvantages.
The benefits of building green are that it is eco-friendly, energy efficient, and sustainable. Building green is an investment and it offers peace of mind. Using products that have the possibility of a longer life expectancy, energy efficient, non-toxic, renewable, and bio-degradable. Most of these products are the same or slightly more costly than conventional building materials. Investing in these types of products may take time to return their value, but this is a progressive step in constructing sustainably. Energy retrofits can be made to have a property run on renewable solar, hydro or wind power. These capabilities depend on the region and are one the most expensive retrofits to make in a home at this time. As energy cost continues to rise, the price tag for a more energy efficient home or system will outweigh the initial cost in the long run. As green practices and products continue to grow and develop, the cost of construction will decrease.
What is a Green Building? - Click here for more home videos
The biggest argument with building green is that it is changing construction. The disadvantages of building green is that it may be more costly in a few instances. The question is “is building green too expensive, or why should I construct green?” It is a common misconception that building green is much more expensive or complicated than conventional construction. Recent studies and surveys have shown that green construction costs are the same or less than conventional construction costs. While the complication with building green mat not be cost, it may be the problem with change. Some architects and contractors are set in their ways of construction. After years, even decades of their systematic approach to construction, they are reluctant to build in a different way. These types of parties have been in the workforce for a while and are hesitant to acknowledge that their service is becoming out dated or obsolete, at this point in time every job is valuable. Unfortunately, I think this will be one of the biggest controversy with the progression of building green.
I would like persuade a new home owner in building a green home. Although it might require a slightly more skilled worker to build conservatively, or special installer to setup a energy efficient system. Investing in green products doesn’t have to be a costly decision, it can be a simple choice. “For instance, a renewable bamboo floor installs the exact same way as a traditional wood floor. The material costs are now the same, and use of the bamboo does not result in the clear-cutting of a forest (Building Green 1.)” This simple choice may be a slight sacrifice, but these decisions must be made to preserve our natural resources.
What is a Green Building? - Click here for more home videos
The biggest argument with building green is that it is changing construction. The disadvantages of building green is that it may be more costly in a few instances. The question is “is building green too expensive, or why should I construct green?” It is a common misconception that building green is much more expensive or complicated than conventional construction. Recent studies and surveys have shown that green construction costs are the same or less than conventional construction costs. While the complication with building green mat not be cost, it may be the problem with change. Some architects and contractors are set in their ways of construction. After years, even decades of their systematic approach to construction, they are reluctant to build in a different way. These types of parties have been in the workforce for a while and are hesitant to acknowledge that their service is becoming out dated or obsolete, at this point in time every job is valuable. Unfortunately, I think this will be one of the biggest controversy with the progression of building green.
I would like persuade a new home owner in building a green home. Although it might require a slightly more skilled worker to build conservatively, or special installer to setup a energy efficient system. Investing in green products doesn’t have to be a costly decision, it can be a simple choice. “For instance, a renewable bamboo floor installs the exact same way as a traditional wood floor. The material costs are now the same, and use of the bamboo does not result in the clear-cutting of a forest (Building Green 1.)” This simple choice may be a slight sacrifice, but these decisions must be made to preserve our natural resources.
The state of the economy determines the price of materials, which greatly affect construction. Yet, there are some materials that this industry cannot construct without; such as wood, steel and oil. As supplies and materials become scarce, their prices inflate. Only a few things are ever a constant in construction, it is a day to day market. Over the decades this industry has it’s pattern; slow during the winter months, eras of overbuilding and times of conservation and unemployment. Building green will be the best plan of action in constructing smart and responsively for the future. The nature of this industry is to deal with problems as they arise; acting swiftly and decisively to meet deadlines and keep moving forward. Building green is expanding, and one day will become a standard. New structural and building codes probably need to be added or modified for green design. Building green will incorporate a new generation of educated workers, installers, and hopefully mangers.
Work Cited
“Building Green." ecomii. Web. 5 Apr 2010.
http://www.ecomii.com/building/cons-of-green-building?page=2
Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook” 17 Dec 2009. Web. 5 Apr 2010.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos005.htm.
Freed, Corey. “don’t forsee recovery this year”. Journal of Business
11 Mar. 2010:Research Library Core, ProQuest. Web. 5 Apr. 2010:
Eileen, Weber. “Tool Belt Recession” CT Green Scene.
03 Mar. 2010. Web. 6 Apr 2010.
http://ctgreenscene.typepad.com/ct_green_scene/2010/03/tool-belt- recession.html
Hendricks, Golden, Bracken, Matt. “Taking on the Tool Belt Recession”
Center for AmericanProgress. Web. 6 Apr 2010.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/03/tool_belt_ recession.html
"What’s Wrong With The Way Regular Houses Are Built?” Web. 20 Apr 2010.
http://www.greenbuildingsdvisor.com/content/4=what-s-wrong-way- regular-houses-
are-built.
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