Sustainability best practices : Sustainability at Forefront of New York Construction
While safety will always be the primary focus of any construction project, sustainability ranks closely second. The rapid evolution of technology during the 21st century alone has provided both the means to track our carbon footprint and the tools required to reduce it. The effects of our carbon emissions on the atmosphere have long been established to have increasingly harmful effects as time progresses, and it is therefore our social responsibility to do all in our power to address this issue. Quest Builders Group Inc. (QBG) has taken this issue to heart and considers it a point of pride to adhere to sustainability best practices as well as guide others to do the same.
Interest in environmentally conscious projects has continued to grow over the past decade. “Green” buildings and developments are both recognized with social accolades and increased activity and rewarded with various tax credits and other financial benefits. QBG meets this increased demand for greener construction by utilizing technological advancements in construction to identify and employ economically viable solutions. In order to ensure that these standards are maintained throughout a building’s lifespan, our process begins in the preconstruction phase and carries each project throughout its final documentation and submission to the U.S. Green Building Council.
Where QBG’s process shines is in the thoroughness of its process and the sustainability rating systems it embraces. A few of these include the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Passive House, and WELL Building Standard rating systems. From a project’s inception, our team consults with experts in these systems in order to achieve sustainability initiatives efficiently and economically. Our preconstruction process also includes creating custom Indoor Air Quality and Construction Waste Management plans which protect employees from contaminants and the project’s surrounding environment from pollutants.
QBG also continues to work towards these objectives during the construction phase itself. While construction is ongoing, our team works continuously to make suitable and compliant recommendations for supply chain alternatives, monitor data collection and distribution, and ensure that onsite sustainability, health, and wellness goals are being met. It is crucial that these goals are not simply set once projects are completed; by adhering to these standards as soon as development begins, we ensure that they are ideologically built into each building’s foundations. Using this method, we have assembled a team that boasts extensive experience in overseeing and retro-commissioning projects in New York City as well as the Caribbean.
Sustainability best practices are more important today than ever before. Prior to 2020, the primary driving force behind these initiatives was to help New York City meet its goals of reduced carbon emissions by 2030 and 2050; however, the rise of COVID-19 made clear that building for sustainability can have even more immediate uses. As an example, constructing and retrofitting buildings for more efficient airflow and circulation is a significant part of what it means to make a building more environmentally friendly. Going forward with the past year’s lessons in mind, this is but one small aspect of construction that could make a tremendous difference were a similar airborne virus were to appear again.
New York City has been making great strides in terms of reaching its sustainability goals. Despite the past year’s tribulations, the Mayor’s Office recently released a study confirming that our goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050 is still achievable. However, this can only occur through a dramatic increase in renewable energy and further cuts in emissions across the building and transportation sectors. QBG prides itself on its adherence to today’s best sustainability practices, but there is always more work to be done. We look forward to working alongside both our partners and competitors as we strive to create a more environmentally friendly and sustainable New York City.
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