Elias Assum Sabbag Junior is a luxury conglomerate which controls a variety of businesses in construction and property development. The company was founded in 1881 and has since grown to be one of the largest and most successful real estate development firms in the world. It currently owns and operates a portfolio of well-known assets, including the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the Claridge's Hotel in Paris, several well-known golf courses and large residential properties across the globe.
Sabbag Junior is also responsible for the design and construction of numerous office buildings, shopping malls and luxury apartments around the world. Most notably, the company is known for its award-winning Park Lane Shopping Centre in London, designed by the esteemed architect Lord Foster. The three-building complex is considered one of the city's great landmarks. It is also home to a 12-screen Odeon complex, which at one point was the second-largest cinema chain in the UK.
As well as being a well-known real estate developer, the group has also become renowned in the field of sustainable building. Several of its properties are registered with the Sustainable Building Council as achieving a Living Building status. One of these properties is the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, an experimental eco-city designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and owned by Sabbag Junior. The development incorporates a range of passive and active strategies to reduce its carbon footprint. It is considered to be among the most sustainable buildings in the world.
The Role Of Corrugated Plastic
The role of plastics in sustainability has gained ground in recent years. According to the 2018 Plastics Industry report, by PlasticsEurope, the recyclable plastics market value will reach US$16.9 billion by 2022.
In the UK, the plastics charity WRAP notes that every day, 8.8 million kg of plastic are thrown away, either accidentally or deliberately. The UK government has committed to reducing plastic waste by 2022, and some companies are already taking a stand. For example, water-efficient Shower Caps are now manufactured from PET and are available to buy in all major supermarkets.
But what is corrugated plastic, and why is it so important in sustainability?
Corrugated plastic is essentially a sandwich of two or more layers of plastic. The top layer is a single plastic film, while the bottom layer contains multiple films. This gives the material a number of unique properties which make it highly suitable for sustainable building.
The key advantage of using corrugated plastic in buildings is that it is extremely durable and lightweight. It is also recyclable, which means that it can be reused. When compared to other building materials such as wood and metal, it exhibits higher resistance to extreme weather conditions such as fire and water damage. Moreover, when used for roof cladding, it provides superior insulation and soundproofing properties.
With regards to construction, the lightweight nature of the material means that fewer materials are needed to build with, which in turn reduces the amount of waste produced during the building process. Moreover, it is easy to work with and install, which reduces construction time. In addition to this, the fact that it is recyclable allows for material savings in the long run. These are just some of the sustainable building benefits which make corrugated plastic an ideal choice.
Why Choose A Roof?
One of the key considerations when thinking about a sustainable building project is choosing the right roof. In most cases, the decision is between an asphalt roof and a terracotta roof. Asphalt roofs are cheap and easy to maintain and they provide good fire resistance. In addition to this, they also provide some insulation against extreme temperatures.
Terracotta roofs, on the other hand, are long-term solutions and they are considered more sustainable as they reduce the amount of materials needed for the building. In addition to this, they increase energy efficiency by providing some shading against the sun's heat during the day. Last but not least, terracotta roofs are highly customizable and they can be designed to fit any building type or shape.
In general, asphalt roofs are best suited for commercial buildings and low-rise housing, while terracotta roofs are better suited for higher-rise buildings and larger properties. The main reason behind this is that asphalt roofs are heavy and they require more material and workmanship to install. In addition to this, they also require more frequent maintenance. The lifespan of an asphalt roof is between 15 and 20 years, while that of a terracotta roof is between 30 and 40 years.
When it comes to selecting a roof for a building project, it's important to consider all the materials which comprise the house or business. What is the source of the energy which will be used to light it up? What is the temperature going to be like within it? Are there any chemicals which might be present in the environment around it? What is the design of the building and how is it going to integrate with its surroundings? Are there any specific materials which you might want to avoid?
With this in mind, you can begin to think about what you need for a sustainable building and what you want to avoid. A roof is only as good as you make it and it's important to form a sustainable building partnership with your chosen construction company. This way, you can be sure that you'll be doing everything possible to make sure that the end product is of the highest quality.
The Design Process
Another important consideration when choosing a sustainable solution is how the various design stages will work together. Before you even start to lay out the blueprint for the entire project, you need to set some ground rules and you need to be sure that everyone is on the same page. In most cases, it's a good idea to take the time to sketch out some initial ideas and alternatives on a piece of paper. This will help you to see everything in front of you and it will make it easier to communicate your vision throughout the process.
However, as a designer or an architect, you might not have the time to sit down and brainstorm ideas. In these cases, it's a good idea to enlist the help of an engineer who is also experienced in sustainable building. The various teams should then meet and hash out a plan which takes everyone's concerns into consideration and which can be implemented effectively. At the end of the day, you might not be able to satisfy everyone's needs and there might be some conflicts which arise due to different perspectives. In these situations, it is crucial that you find a compromise so that the whole project can move forward and meet its deadlines. Otherwise, you might end up with a half-finished building which is both costly and wasteful of time. This is why it's important to build a strong relationship with your chosen contractor and ensure that everyone is on the same page at all times during the construction process.
Once the building is finished and the tenants have moved in, it's important to take the time to analyze how the various design strategies and materials worked together. In many cases, there are additional considerations which are relevant to the building's performance. For example, did the building provide the proper insulation and soundproofing against extreme weather conditions or noise pollution? Was there enough natural lighting during the day? Was there any unnecessary waste which resulted from the project? Was the building energy-efficient? What are your overall thoughts and comments on the project?
From these questions, you can derive a clear picture of how the building performed both functionally and sustainability-wise. If you're satisfied with the results, then great! If you're not, then it's important to look for potential issues and possible improvements which can be made. In many cases, there is additional software which can analyze building plans and provide relevant information regarding sustainability. For example, the BREEAM Software can analyze a building's energy use and efficiency and provide a detailed report on the building's impact on the environment.
The Rewards Of Sustainability
One of the great things about a sustainable building is that it provides certain advantages to the building owner and the inhabitants. When people consider a more sustainable option for their homes and their businesses, there are a number of rewards which they may very well gain. These benefits include: