Introduction

Literature review

Research methodology

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgment

References

Abstract

Vernacular architecture is associated with numerous advantages. However, its adoption in the development of sustainable buildings is not appreciated. This paper examines professionals’ views of vernacular building materials and techniques for green building delivery in Ghana. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 54 built environment professionals. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings suggest that the key vernacular materials for green building delivery are timber, bamboo, and laterite. It further suggests that the key vernacular techniques which are suitable for green building delivery are timber-framed construction, sun-dried brick walling/Adobe, and rammed earth or Atakpame walling. This study is useful for built environment professionals who are active in the construction industry and who are responsible for green building delivery decision making during the design and construction stages of buildings.

Introduction

The increased concern of the negative impacts associated with construction activities in recent years has called for green or sustainable building developments from both the public and private sectors. Green building construction is not entirely new because it has its trace from vernacular buildings where some materials, strategies, and techniques from vernacular architecture are incorporated [42]. The use of locally available construction materials was widespread until the industrialized revolution which saw the increased use of new industrially produced and standardized building materials, and which led to the homogenization of the use of different construction approaches [16]. Modern architecture which makes use of industrially produced materials has given rise to a universal architecture that is highly dependent on energy consumption [16]. The world is now facing a string of serious energy and environmental challenges [4]. In a report by the International Energy Agency, IEA, (2013), fossil fuel reserves which contribute to over 80% of the world’s total primary energy consumption has declined. The demand for energy is on a steep rise, and energy prices keep fluctuating [4].

The construction industry has a strong interaction with global energy and environmental problems [4]. Buildings are responsible for more than 40% of global energy consumption and over a third of the total greenhouse gas emissions [4]. Since a building uses energy throughout its life, the demand for energy in buildings in their lifecycle is both direct and indirect Due to this problem, energy efficiency and comfort conditions have become one of the crucial concerns in the design and decision-making phase for sustainable or green buildings. According to Mumovic and Santamouris [31], because buildings play crucial roles in mitigating energy and environmental issues, applying energy-efficient and sustainable buildings has received serious attention worldwide, especially, in the residential sector. The IEA (2014) indicated that the residential sector represents 26% and 17% of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide production respectively. The second half of the 20th century saw resources that once provided bounties for mankind and which were assumed to be inexhaustible facing exhaustion [49]. Following the wasteful resource consumption, population increase and fossil fuel usage, mankind is now faced with several disasters like environmental pollution, ozone layer depletion, global warming, deforestation, among other things [49].