When thinking of architecture, you might jump straight to the finished structure – perhaps a stunning building – instead of considering the raw materials that go into creating it. But these materials play a crucial role in the success and impact of the final product. There is a wide range of raw materials used in architecture, including wood, steel, hempcrete, glass, brick, straw, and even chemicals like paints, adhesives, and sealants. They are chosen depending on the requirements of the project.

But it's not just about choosing the right materials but also managing them effectively. Raw materials inventory management is a crucial aspect of architecture that brings numerous benefits, ranging from better capital management and reduced wastage to timely completion of projects and lower costs.

How do we achieve all that, but for sustainable buildings?

Let's get into the details of what sustainable architecture is and how you can successfully and efficiently plan and manage the raw materials that go into it. We will be going over five actionable tips and tricks to help you improve your architectural processes and decisions and, ultimately, create sustainable structures.

What is sustainable architecture?

Sustainable architecture, also known as green architecture, is the practice of designing and creating buildings that are environmentally friendly, don't rack up enormous costs, and conserve resources in any way possible. It is a holistic approach to architecture that makes sure that every stage of the architectural process, from planning and design to construction and operation, is eco-friendly.

The primary goal of sustainable architecture is to decrease the adverse environmental impacts that architectural processes can have on not just the environment but also its inhabitants, all while fulfilling its practical purpose(s). The principles of sustainable architecture focus on saving natural resources, achieving energy efficiency, and reducing waste.

The first step to achieving all these ambitious goals is to study and improve your raw materials management process. This brings us to five top ways you can improve your resource planning process in line with the goals of sustainable architecture.

Five tips for raw materials planning and management for sustainable architecture

1. Choose environment-friendly raw materials

There is no point in sustainable architecture if you fail to consider choosing environmentally friendly raw materials.

The first step is to ask questions that will help you determine the environmental impact of each raw material: How was the raw material itself produced? Does it come from a clean background? Was there a lot of waste? What about its embodied energy? Try your best to choose materials that are renewable or recycled. Bonus points for salvaged materials obtained from older buildings that were maybe renovated or torn down due to safety concerns.

It's also essential to cut down – preferably eliminate – harmful or, worse, toxic materials that could actively hurt the environment and pose a health risk to those who use or come into contact with them.

Another important consideration is the impact these raw materials will have during or after use or disposal. Go for raw materials that can be easily recycled or composted. Avoid materials that are difficult to dispose of or that will linger in landfills for years. This way, even if you order a little too much, it won't go entirely to waste.

2. Track raw materials inventory accurately

In order for architecture to be sustainable, it is necessary to closely and accurately monitor raw materials inventory. You must make sure that you have enough raw material on hand without falling into overstock territory. While there are many different types and techniques of raw materials inventory management, we've found just-in-time (JIT) to be one of the most sustainable methods. This is due to the fact that one of its fundamental principles is to minimize waste. Under JIT, you order only enough raw material to cover your current demand and order more when you are close to a stockout or see an increase in demand.

Another inventory tracking method that can work superbly alongside JIT is real-time or near-real-time inventory management, where you closely monitor stock levels by conducting regular and frequent counts. Another way to ensure the success of a JIT system is to sharpen your forecasting skills and slash lead times for reorders. These processes can be further enhanced by adopting modern technology such as RFID and barcode scanning, IoT sensors, and AI-powered inventory management software.

Such strategies not only reduce waste by making sure you don't over-order but also lower costs by eliminating storage costs and other associated expenses.

3. Source locally

The transportation of raw materials constitutes a significant part of business operations for any builder. Architectural raw materials are usually ordered in bulk – and are bulky too! – so they take up a lot of space. Sourcing from far-off international regions can involve time-consuming sea, rail, or air transportation, which (often literally!) burns through our natural resource reserves and has a massive carbon footprint. The longer the distance, the more resources will be spent on logistics, not to forget the high costs it will incur.

Sourcing raw materials locally (or, at least, from the nearest possible locations) for your sustainable architecture projects can help exponentially reduce distance, fuel, costs, and delivery times. For this reason, it is vital to building relationships with local suppliers who are willing to give you reasonable prices.

4. Focus on durability

Construction is a costly process, so every carefully designed structure needs perfect execution with lasting end results. Thus, choosing the right raw materials can make a world of difference, and durability is a key factor to consider when making this choice.

Opting for durable raw materials can help cut down frequent replacements and repairs, saving precious resources as well as money and extending the overall life cycle of the building.

Don't forget about sustainability in your quest for durability, though. For example, stone, concrete, and steel are some of the most durable materials used in construction. However, they have their downsides. Stone, for instance, while known for its strength and natural occurrence, is acquired through quarrying and often requires long-range transportation, both of which have some drastic negative impacts on the environment, contributing to multiple forms of pollution. Similarly, the production of steel requires enormous amounts of energy. 

You must also take into consideration the end of life of the materials you use. Can they be repurposed or recycled when they're done serving their purpose in your project? Such materials can significantly boost the overall sustainability of the project.

Some examples of strong yet eco-friendly raw materials are bamboo, hempcrete, rammed earth, and cork. The possibilities are endless. Alternatively, if you have no choice but to use high embodied energy materials, you can neutralise or reduce their impact by opting for salvaged, recycled, or repurposed materials from older structures that are no longer in use or use.

5. Invest in waste management

Waste management is a crucial component of sustainability.

We have already discussed how inventory issues can result in waste due to overstocking of construction materials. Waste can also come from demolition, bad construction, or placing an incorrect order, all of which can lead to raw materials being rendered useless. Even simple mistakes while handling raw materials, such as the improper mixing of concrete, could lead to unnecessary wastage.

Improper disposal can have dire consequences. For example, construction raw materials such as concrete and wood often end up in landfills, producing harmful chemicals that pollute the land, air, and groundwater. Thus, you need to figure out proper disposal.

Accurate inventory tracking and efficient reordering would cut down waste production at the source. Additionally, instead of discarding excess or "wasted" materials, find out how to salvage them. With proper waste management, you will be able to recycle, repurpose, and reuse. For example, excess or waste concrete can be crushed to make aggregate for new projects. Similarly, wood waste can be turned into wood chips or biomass fuel.

Wrapping up

Sustainable architecture is all about construction on a budget, making the best use of the planet's finite resources, and causing minimal environmental damage. The raw materials chosen for any type of architecture play a critical role in determining its sustainability and thus need to be planned out and managed in the best way possible.

By following proper inventory management and control, choosing local durable and eco-friendly materials, and implementing responsible waste control practices, architects, designers, and owners can not only make a positive impact on the environment but also reap the many strategic and financial benefits of their decision to the sustainable route.

Author: Konstantin Sadekov

cover image by Hugo Sousa on Unsplash