ABSTRACT
Over the years, research into carbon production in buildings has looked for ways to decrease the impact of communities and individuals on the environment. Public health is also a growing concern, since building materials used in the past, such as asbestos, have negative health consequences. Currently—and especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—people spend a considerable amount of time indoors. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these spaces are safe and non-detrimental to people’s health. This chapter explores building and finishing materials, as well as their types and where they are used, and suggests several notable ways that can help designers improve indoor environments and occupants’ wellbeing, while reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. We begin by identifying issues in the way houses were built in the past, outlining and illustrating principles and examples of “green” dwellings. Finally, the K2 Apartments in Melbourne, Australia are presented as a demonstration of a low carbon community.
