Sustainability and Civil Engineering: Believe in this
Idea too
1Aldreen Calabria Soares Santos, 2Ana Lucia Torres Seroa da Motta (PhD), 3Luiz Carlos Brasil de Brito Mello
(DsC)
1Master degree student at Federal Fluminense University (UFF) 2,3Professor at Federal Fluminense University (UFF)
Abstract -From the Industrial Revolution to the present day, the economic sectors have not been evaluating the most appropriate practices regarding the use of the environmental resources. The civil construction business is not much different. In response to this scenario, foreign and national institutions have been developing methodologies that will greatly support the new ventures. The brazilian certification, Casa Azul (Blue House), of Caixa Econômica Federal - CEF (Federal Savings Bank), aims to promote sustainable housing, within the brazilian reality, focused, mainly, on the low-income population. This article intends to demonstrate the difference in building costs between a sustainable housing unit based on the requirements of “Casa Azul Seal” and an unsustainable one. It is a certification targeted at the brazilian reality and with a proposal for the entrepreneurs who seek to associate their companies with socio-environmental responsibility. In order to classify this article, this paper presents an empirical research based on information contained in booklets and informative material published by government agencies and class entities of the civil construction segment, exploratory regarding the objectives, quantitative and bibliographical approach and a case of study: addressing the technique used and a financial analysis of the construction of a non-sustainable housing versus a non-sustainable one - under the premises of the “Casa Azul Seal”. The outcome of this article is the comparison of the building costs between a 42m2 popular
house to be constructed, hypothetically, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, according to the sustainable requirements and a non-sustainable one; also, the former advantages and benefits.
Index Term -- Building; Sustainability; Casa Azul Seal; Production costs.
1 INTRODUCTION
Offering adequate housing to the population is challenging, especially in large Brazilian urban centers. According to Pisani and Bruna (2014), more than five million people live in substandard housing.
The proposal is to adapt the old building practices, not abandon them and so make them less polluting and more sustainable, saving natural resources for the next generations.
According to data presented by the João Pinheiro Foundation (2014), in partnership with the “Ministério das Cidades” (Ministry of Cities), the total Brazilian housing deficit was approximately 5.792 million housing units in 2012. In which, 85% of them were found in urban areas and their largest concentration was in the Southeast and
Northeast of Brazil, which together add up to a deficit of 4.147 million.
There is a possibility to the private initiative intervenes positively in this reality and still profit. Observe what Michael Porter said during a speech at the Ethos National Conference:
[...] when we think of solving problems, social or economic, we need to recognize that governments and NGOs are not the only institutions that can influence these issues. The private sector has a profound capacity to impact social problems such as housing, nutrition, and health care. Businesses are not always able to see these opportunities and see their function as meeting conventional economic needs. But we see that some great business opportunities and profits come from responses to social problems and societal needs (PORTER, 2013).
Although the mindset between entrepreneurs, since Industrial Revolution, was to produce and to profit, a new tendency arises. Implementing actions to foster sustainable development, basically, is a question of minimizing environmental impacts and social injustice, within the anticipated budget, as John et al. (2010).
It is not intended to ignore the valuable contribution of the construction sector to the economy and socioeconomic development; however, one cannot deny the fact that it is one of the main sectors which has been impacting the environment.
Synthesizing the context in which this research was developed, there are some variables to be analyzed. The planet is increasingly devoid of natural resources. Even though the population growth rate is falling, it remains high. Civil construction not only consumes a large amount of natural resources, but also generates a lot of waste and the Brazilian housing deficit is significant. Within this scenario, national and foreign entities mobilize themselves to expose such reality and propose methodologies that help reducing environmental and socioeconomic impacts. In Brazil, the institution “Caixa Econômica Federal” has a certificate called “Casa Azul Seal” which is one the most highlighted ones among these entities.
Fig. 1. Contextualization of the research Source: SANTOS (2017)
The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the difference in production costs between a sustainable housing unit based on the requirements of the Casa Azul Seal of the Caixa Econômica Federal and an unsustainable one.
Fig. 2. Systematized summary of research work Source: SANTOS (2017)
2 SUSTAINABILITY AND CIVIL ENGINEERING By constructing new scenarios (locally or globally) or by moving the economy, according to Almeida et al.
(2015), civil construction represents a considerable part of world’s economy, representing an average of 40%. This data shows the sector’s importance, not only for economic reasons, but mainly for the great impacts caused to the environment and society.
Brazil, as well as other emerging countries, faces many challenges in natural resources preservation. The construction sector still faces obstacles such as the housing deficit and the lack of infrastructure for transportation, according to the “Sindicato da Indústria da Construção Pesada no Estado de Minas Gerais” (Heavy Construction Industry Union in the State of Minas Gerais) - SICEPOT / MG (2014).
The use of new technologies and the continuous search to minimize costs directly influence the sectors of the Brazilian economy, as well as civil construction. There are many initiatives that help generating income and employment, therefore, they minimize the Brazilian housing deficit.
In fact, according to the Brazilian “Câmara da Indústria da Construção Civil” (House of Construction Industry) (2014), it was estimated that in 2014, 22% of the “Produto Interno Bruto” - PIB (Gross Domestic Product -
GDP) of the industry was the result of the contribution of construction field and that 8% of formal jobs are generated by the sector; directly impacting other segments and productive chains. It is also noted that in the period between 2003 and 2012, the GDP of the construction industry grew more than the total GDP and that there was decrease in unemployment in the same period.
The efficient use of resources, applied to the civil construction segment, can provide significant socioeconomic results, since it allows building more units and faster, increases the competitiveness of the national economy, among other issues.
Sheet 1 - Absolute relative housing deficit according to geographic regions: 2011/2012
Region Housing Deficit - 2011 Housing Deficit - 2012
Absolute total Total Relative Absolute total Total Relative
North 624,119 14.0 575,569 12.5
Northeast 1,961,532 12.1 1,791,437 10.7
South 623,722 6.6 604,974 6.2
Southeast 2,184,611 8.0 2,356,075 8.5
Midwest 495,373 10.5 464,453 9.6
Source: Own production from Foundation João Pinheiro (2014).
Sheet number 1 shows Brazilian housing deficit, revealing its importance and significant business opportunities. Corroborating with the idea of Porter (2013), exposing the existence of a huge demand for investments in popular housing, with the purpose of serving the low-income population, especially the Southeast and Northeast regions, considering that together they represent almost 4.2 million hoBusing units.
On the other hand, civil construction is one of the most polluting segments of world’s economy. According to Souza et al. (2015), the life cycle of materials used in construction, use, demolition, recycling or waste management is not considered during the projects and planning of the sector. If they were, it would already be an excellent contribution to minimize impacts, even before they have happened.
Many are the impacting processes: energy consumption (operational phase), execution (industrial process), among others. That’s why sustainable construction has chosen renewable, recyclable or reusable resources throughout the processes. According to Lucas (2011), while the percentage of occupancy is small, civil construction absorbs, on average, 50% of the world's natural resources: 40% - water, 60% - arable land, 70% - wood products, 45 % - energy.
As discussed by Rodrigues et al. (2015), sustainability is a term used to determine actions and activities that aim to meet the needs of human beings, but without compromising the next generations.
Focused on the previous idea, options have been created in order to help the segment reduce losses and minimize consumption. In Brazil, SICEPOT/MG (2014) affirms that it is a long and complex adaptation process, which demands a detailed review of the entire productive process, especially regarding social and environmental impacts of construction activities.
Pajchrowski, Noskowiak, Lewandowska and Strykowsk (2013) affirm that there is a constant deadlock between the increase in construction costs if compared to use costs, and so in the majority of cases, investor’s decision is based on economic aspects. However, consumer’s awareness about sustainability has initiated, requiring a breakdown of paradigms on the part of entrepreneurs during the decision-making process.
This new conjuncture has made the work of some entities focused on sustainability more propitious. Within this new context, more sustainable certifications are being developed, since construction companies, seeking to remain competitive desire to associate a strong and socially responsible image and so they end up contributing to improvements that positively impact all, especially the environment.
3 METHOD
Up to the present moment, there are 18 projects of companies certified by the Casa Azul Seal, conferred by Caixa Econômica Federal, distributed in the five Brazilian regions. Although they do not represent a significant group, they do indicate that a new moment in the area is coming due to the fact that the consumer market mentality experience changes and, therefore, requires a new attitude of the construction entrepreneurs.
However, the institution does not have a comparison of production costs, between a sustainable project based on the certification requirements and one that is not. Therefore, it is intended to conclude this work, presenting costs and benefits, when investing in projects of this nature.
The study was systematized as it follows: (i) preparation of a descriptive memorial; (ii) analysis of the data obtained; (iii) inclusion of social charges; (iv) obtaining answers to two questions, if the sustainable house presents a lower cost of production and if the discounts offered by banks are sufficient to cover surplus costs with production, neither the previous options.
In order to develop this paper, an empirical research on type is presented; objectives; quantitative approach; bibliographical, case study regarding the technique used, with bibliographical sources and research of the research.
The empirical research is expressed through the exchange of e-mails between those responsible for providing information at Caixa Econômica Federal, Sandra Cristina Bertoni Serna Quinto and Mara Luisa Alvim Motta. A semi-structured interview was sent to their care, in order to direct the collection of pertinent information to the study.
giving more support to the case study carried out. Both of them have the purpose of encouraging a new attitude of the civil construction entrepreneurs, as well as facilitating mechanisms to foster a new consumer market that has emerged, even though it is a bit timid.
The bibliographic research is consisted of: (i) searching from “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior” - CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Level Personnel) database, using key words such as: civil construction, sustainability, sustainable certification, Casa Azul Seal; in order to find and use as knowledge scientific papers on the subject, (ii) through the reading of the same, a selection was made opting for those more relevant and current, with publication dates comprised in the period between 2010-2017. In order to complete the case study, “Caixa Econômica Federal” provided numerous documents and booklets: significant materials that supported this work considerably.
Two projects were used, the former was certificated with the Seal Casa Azul and later was not. It is important to be noted that the object to be compared with the production costs of a housing unit of 42m2, to be constructed (hypothetically), in the metropolitan area of the city of Rio de Janeiro, with sustainable characteristics, according to the requirements of the Casa Azul Seal and other unsustainable.
It is understood that it is a research of the research due to the use of material (booklets and informative material) as a result of research carried out by governmental agencies, as well as class entities, related to the construction segment and materials provided by Caixa Econômica Federal, Rio de Janeiro, among other organizations.
Below is shown Table 1, in which the entire research’s methodological structure is synthesized.
Table I
Synthesis of the Methodological Structure
As for type Empirical Booklet;
Information material (Government bodies, entities). Objectives Exploratory Gather enough information about the Casa Azul Seal.
As for the
approach Quantitative
Tables and tables presenting costs; Particularities of each project.
As for the technique
used
Bibliographic Articles of the CAPES database; Books or Booklets.
Case study Reduced number of certified projects (18 projects).
Source
Bibliographic
Articles CAPES, Google, Academic (2010-2017); Books or Booklets.
CEF: numerous documents, booklets and miscellaneous materials.
Search Search Materials provided by CEF, Rio de Janeiro City Hall, among other organizations involved.
Source: Own elaboration based on the methodological structure, 2017.
It is worth mentioning that all this research work has given rise to a Master's dissertation (Dissertation), in which more detailed information about this analysis, as well as the certification suit, is the objective of this study.
4 SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATIONS - CASA AZUL SEAL
Noteworthy is the existence of more privileged certifications in the "contemporary market, mostly referring to the evaluation of corporate and commercial buildings, with few tools available in the market for the evaluation of housing construction, specifically" (BUENO & ROSSIGNOLO, 2013).
Grünberg, Medeiros and Tavares (2014) indicate that many countries are focusing their research in creating methods of environmental analysis and certification for civil
construction, such as: Environmental Assessment Method of the Building Research Establishment (BRE) of England, Leadership in Design Energy and Environment (LEED) of the United States, High Environmental Quality (HQE) of France, among others.
According to Lucas (2011 apud Santos 2017), a challenge faced by designers and entrepreneurs is the adaptation of systems to the peculiar characteristics of each nation. Going through different levels of requirements regarding water; given importance to wood; acoustic conditions and thermal insulation, lighting according to the reality of each country, among others.
materials to be used, waste generation and minimizing the use of raw materials, reusing materials) during the execution
of the work and its useful life, as well as the sustainability
of its maintenance.
Table II
Synthetic Summary: certifications
Certificações LEED BREEAM AQUA Selo Casa Azul
Logo
Country of
origin / year USA, 1998
United Kingdom,
1990 Brazil, 2008 Brazil, 2010
Developed by USGBC BRE Foundation
Vazolini CEF
Constructions evaluated Schools, residences, renovations, hospitals, multifunctional, commercial. Residential, commercial, industrial, offices, courts, prisons, schools, hospitals, multifunctional, rare. Residential, commercial, administrative and / or
services; in new construction and / or
renovation.
Housing units.
Flexibility
Flexible in the USA and relatively
overseas.
Flexible in the UK and relatively overseas. Flexible in Brazil. Flexible in Brazil. Ratings
Basic: 40-49 points Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points Platinum: +80
points
Disqualified <30 Qualified ≥30
Good ≥45 Very Good ≥55
Excelent ≥70 Spotlight ≥85
Good: Acceptable minimum performance for an AQUA venture. Superior: good
sustainability practices. Excellent: maximum performance found in AQUA projects.
Bronze: Required criteria.
Silver: Mandatory criteria + 6 electives.
Gold: Mandatory criteria + 12 electives.
Source: Own elaboration from Abreu (2013); Salgado, Chatelet & Fernandez (2012); John et al. (2010)
In Table II, certifications main characteristics are presented: logotype, country of origin, year of creation, entity responsible for developing the seal, as well as criteria contemplated, types of constructions evaluated, flexibility and scores.
The Casa Azul Seal was created through a partnership between “Ministério das Cidades” (Ministry of Cities) and Caixa Econômica Federal, with the purpose of adopting measures within the Brazilian reality that sought to "advance the sustainability of social housing projects" (MINISTÉRIO DAS CIDADES, 2014). "It is a national certification focused on sustainable housing, focused on the Brazilian reality, seeking to reach, mainly, the low-income population" (SANTOS and MOTTA, 2016).
John et al. (2010) reports that the intention in creating the certification is nothing more than to encourage the rational use of natural resources in construction, especially housing units, reducing maintenance costs, monthly expenses of users, promoting greater awareness in every society about the benefits of sustainable enterprises.
Thus, certification is a methodology restricted to the use of housing projects submitted to the Caixa Econômica Federal with the purpose of obtaining financing or participating in transfer programs. Its target public are construction companies, government, public housing companies, cooperatives, associations and entities representing social movements, not being open to public use, according to Bueno and Rossignolo (2013).
energy generation, among others, always emphasizing continuous improvement attitudes.
In the face of all the above, the question is: "How does Casa Azul Seal work?" (MOTTA, 2012). The same author Motta (2012) clarifies it to us, when informing that the interested parties should look for a unit of Caixa and voluntarily adheres to the required criteria, the client with all the documentation, presents it for analysis, during which the project will be classified according to the criteria met and regular monitoring of the activities related to the project will be carried out.
From the six categories presented by Bruna (2014), by voluntary initiative, the entrepreneur is supposed to choose 19 mandatory requirements and 53 of free choice. By doing so, it will compete at three levels of gradation, according to John et al. (2010):
Bronze: mandatory criteria;
Silver: mandatory criteria and more 6 criteria of free choice;
Gold: mandatory criteria and 12 free
choice criteria.
Table III
Limits of evaluation and localities - Casa Azul Seal (Bronze Level)
Localities Value of the housing
unit Federal District;
Cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro;
Municipalities with a population of 1 million or more that are members of the metropolitan areas of the States of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Until R$ 130,000.00
Municipalities with a population of 250,000 or more;
Integrated Region of the Federal District and Surroundings - RIDE / DF in other metropolitan regions and in municipalities in a situation of conurbation with state capitals (except Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo).
Until R$ 100,000.00
Other municipalities. Until R$ 80,000.00
Source: JOHN et al. (2010).
From Table III, the maximum values are presented, as well as their location in order to fit the Bronze level gradation. For projects that exceed the presented costs, the project should be, at least, the silver level gradation, as reported by Jonh et al. (2010).
It is emphasized that the adoption of the Casa Azul Seal is voluntary, however, it implies lower funding rates. See Sheet 2.
Sheet 2 - Lines of Financing / Programs (Gold or Silver Grading)
Financing Line / Program
Rate Normal
(%)
Rate Casa Azul Seal
(%) Production Support - SBPE / Residential Resources 9.92 8.8 Production financing - MPE / SBPE Residential 11.5 9.3 Civil Construction Company Plan (PEC) - SBPE Residential 10.3 8.8
Source: Own elaboration from Benevides (2012).
Fig. 3. Humanized Plant Source: LOREIRO et al. (2007).
The object of study is the hypothetical construction of a popular house of 42 m2, with six rooms: living room, kitchen, service area, bathroom and two bedrooms as shown in the humanized plan (Figure 3).
Sheet 4 - Total production costs: Non-Sustainable House and Sustainable House
Item Description Non-Sustainable House
Total cost (R$)
Sustentable House Total cost (R$)
1 Preliminary Services 1,542.59 1,542.59
2 Foundations 7,190.82 6,578.40
3 Structure 2,339.99 2,339.99
4 Walls and Panels 4,191.33 4,191.33
5 Roof 16,665.64 11,424.68
6 Scaffolding 4,847.27 8,033.51
7 Electrical Installations 2,085.91 2,068.66
8 Hidraulic instalations 2,019.41 5,044.17
9 Sanitary facilities 7,715.79 7,891.95
10 Special Installations - 4,976.11
11 Investments 13,848.22 13,848.22
12 Floors 3,491.68 3,491.69
13 Painting 8,492.30 8,492.30
14 Glasses 697.92 697.92
15 Complementations of the work 1,999.14 5,199.14
Subtotal 77,128.01 85,820.51
General Total with BDI of 20% - Profit 92,553.60 102,984.61
Source: Own elaboration from Loreiro et al. (2007).
Sheet 4 presents the total costs of producing a housing unit, in the options: Sustainable and non-Sustainable, according to the criteria of Casa Azul Seal. A descriptive memo was written, the items of which were coded based on the data from the “Informativo Boletim de Custos” - SBC (Cost Accounting Bulletin - SBC). The indices for the Total Cost calculations of each step, have the same origin. The unit costs were quoted in stores specialized in Building Materials, located in Grande Rio and Niterói, such as: Amoedo, Leroy Merlin, Casa Show, Tigrão, and smaller stores, during the month of November/2016. Finally, social charges (social security, guarantee fund), as well as other labor expenses, were evaluated in 159.42%, on labor, by constructive stage.
Therefore, it is possible to conclude that for the construction of a sustainable popular house of approximately 42m2, certified by bank, there is an approximate production cost of 11% more than the same non-certified property. This is due to the investments required in materials of sustainable nature, such as taps with aerators, double-discharge vessels, solar heating equipment, among others.
Sheet 5 - Total production costs: Non-Sustainable House and Sustainable House
Financing line
Financing Non-Sustainable
House (R$)
Financing Sustainable House (R$)
Percentage - Sustainable House /
Convention House (%) Production Support - SBPE /
Residential Resources 101,734.93 111,787.44 9.88
Production financing - MPE /
SBPE Residential 103,197.28 112,301.17 8.82
Plan Construction Company
(PEC) - SBPE Residential 102,086.63 111,787.44 9.5 Source: Own elaboration from Benevides (2012).
It is noticed that the financial increase required to install the Casa Azul Seal, in a popular housing unit, with approximately 42 m2, after calculating the financing, the lowest percentage is close to 8.82%, with the Financing to production - MPE/SBPE Residential, the most advantageous among the three offered by Caixa Econômica Federal, according to Table 4.
The benefits of sustainable house design are based on water and electric energy consumption reduction, among other things. The economy is significant when using solar heating for hot water supply, in the bathroom, for example. Santos and Motta (2017) show that the energy consumption by the electric showers represents 24% of the residential energy consumption. On the other hand, SICEPOT/MG (2014), reports water consumption economics can reach up to 40% when adopting sustainable changes in building projects.
When considering the adoption of solar heating to supply hot water (showers), there will be a saving of 24% in electricity consumption. According to the Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (Energy Research Company) (2016), the average monthly residential consumption in the country in 2015 went from 167.0 kWh to 161.8 kWh.
According to the Resolution of the Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica - ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) nº 2.214 / 17 of 03/28/2017 and effective as of 05/05/2017, the following composition of the tariff practiced by the concessionaire Light (responsible for the electricity supply to 31 of the 92 municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro). However, during times of economic recession and energy policies compatible with water crises, the consumption is reduced by an average of 5.91%. Thus, the estimated average residential consumption is 152.2 kWh. Sheet 8 identifies the cost composition practiced by the Light concessionaire.
Sheet 6 - Composition of monthly electricity consumption costs
Class Full Rate
(R$)
Rate approved by ANEEL without ICMS / PIS /
COFINS (R$)
Rate with PIS / COFINS exempt from ICMS (R$)
Residential 0.68556 0.52665 0.55542
Average domestic monthly residential
consumption estimated at 152.2 kWh 104.34 80.16 84.53
Source: Elaboration itself from Ligth (2017).
By the information above, it can be inferred that the savings of 24% in electricity consumption converted into reais will be approximately R$ 25.04 / month. It is important to detach that this value is influenced by some variables: climatic seasonality, economic issues, government agreements and conventions that impact the energy market, among others.
According to a study carried out by “Ministério das Cidades“ (2017), the average brazilian consumption per inhabitant per day is 154 liters in 2015. In the same year, the Southeast region averaged 176 liters/inhabitant per day. According to the “Programa de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor“ (Consumer Protection and Protection
Program), based on a family composed by four members, there is at the end of thirty days a consumption of around 21,120 liters or 21.12 m3.
The rates practiced vary according to the location of the property - neighborhoods (Areas A and B), according to
Decree 23.676 of November 4, 1997. Thus, Sheet 7 shows the current composition.
Sheet 7 - Current Tariff Structure (Home)
Area Range Multiplier Rate (R$) Value (R$)
A
0-15 1.00 3.673373 55.10
16-30 2.20 8.081421 176.30
31-45 3.00 11.020119 341.60
46-60 6.00 22.040238 672.20
>60 8.00 29.386984 966.06
B
0-15 1.00 3.22225 48.33
16-30 2.20 7.088950 154.65
31-45 3.00 9.666750 299.64
46-60 6.00 19.333500 589.63
>60 8.00 25.778000 847.41
Source: Own elaboration from Companhia Estadual de Água e Esgoto (n.d.), & Companhia Estadual de Água e Esgoto (1997).
Sheet 8 - Composition of monthly water consumption costs
Area Range Multiplier Rate (R$) Value (R$) Final Value (R$)
A 0-15 1.00 3.673373 55.10 -
16-30 2.20 8.081421 48.49 207.18
B 0-15 1.00 3.22225 48.33 -
16-30 2.20 7.088950 42.53 181.72
Source: Own elaboration from Companhia Estadual de Água e Esgoto, Companhia Estadual de Água e Esgoto (1997), & Companhia Estadual de Água e Esgoto (2015).
The charge related to the sewage rate represents the same value of the water consumed; in this case, by simply doubling the amounts referring to water consumption (final water bill value). Based on a consumption of 21 m3, Sheet 8 is given.
With the use of aerators in the taps as well as double discharge, a saving of 40% in water consumption is promoted, meeting the goal suggested by the UN. Thus, the water bill will be in the order of R$ 124.31 for properties located in area A or R$ 109.03 for area B.
In one year, a family would have saved the value of R$ 1,808.52. In just 5 years and 7 months, only this small economy would be enough to cover the difference paid in a sustainable unit rather than an unsustainable unit.
Table IV
Existing differences in projects: sustainable and unsustainable home
Source: Prepared by John et al. (2010).
In Table IV, above, the differences exist in the sustainable house projects according to the requirements of the Casa Azul Seal and unsustainable.
There is a demand with growth prospects so it is necessary to spread the information and to reach, increasingly, an expressive number of new adepts of this emerging trend.
By paying 8% more for the purchase of this house, the consumer will be benefited in other aspects, in the medium and long term, such as: saving in utilities (water, gas, electricity), and thermal comfort solar control, ventilation and solar radiation) and acoustic.
Next, Figure 4 shows some of these advantages.
Item Non-Sustainable House Sustentable House
Roof
Ceramic roof and channel tiles, termite treated wood, ridge, eaves end trim and last mortar with cement, lime and sand 1: 2: 8.
Asbestos-cement tiles, including wood structure for coverings treated with termite.
Scaffolding Mixed wood for painting. Frosted anodized aluminum.
Electrical Installations
Fluorescent lamp. Electric shower.
Dimmer. LED lamp.
Hidraulic instalations
Toilet - white crockery popular line with external plastic discharge box, including. PVC coupling, discharge pipe and fixing accessories.
Showerhead - including white plastic. white PVC arm diameter. = ½ "and
canopla.
Toilets - with box coupled and double drive, including PVC coupling and fixing accessories.
Chromed shower head. Tap aerator.
Shower flow regulator. Individual water measurement.
Water reuse.
Special
Installations -
Fig. 4. Criteria: design category and comfort Source: MOTTA (2012).
According to Motta (2012), the following advantages can be mentioned when choosing a sustainable construction, based on the requirements of the Casa Azul Seal:
• Improvement of the environment’s noxiousness;
• Energy-saving (compact fluorescents with Procel seal, for example, saves up to 75%); • Reduction of water consumption through
mechanisms such as aerators or double discharge, using rainwater (provides a minimum reduction of 10% of drinking water consumption);
• Actions to avoid waste and reduce the amount of work waste or reuse of materials, such as forms, struts;
• Among others.
5 CONCLUSION / FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The purpose of this paper is to disseminate alternatives for the provision of adequate housing for the population, especially to the low-income one, concentrated in large urban centers (mainly south and southeast), since most are in precarious situations and / or of risk.
Therefore, a way of solving them would be to unite the practices already used, now adapted to the new reality that is drawn, in times of scarce material resources and the need to reduce production costs and maintenance of real estate.
From all the above, it is suggested that the private initiative participate in the solution of such issues (which were previously understood as being of governmental responsibility), profiting, and still gaining a positive image among society.
In fact, this is one of the many current challenges facing construction companies (one of the strongest segments of Brazilian’s economy) and so, corporations should be concerned about this situation, in the face of sustainability, with the adoption of practices, reducing environmental impacts and providing more social justice.
The objective of this study is to demonstrate the difference between the production cost of a sustainable house, based on the requirements of Casa Azul Seal of Caixa Econômica Federal and an unsustainable one, besides arguing in favor of the adoption of the seal in the projects of housing construction.
It is a national certification, better focused on the Brazilian reality; with the purpose of spreading the adoption of sustainable practices, in the civil construction, mainly, targeting the low-income population.
As stated, the entrepreneur who adopts the certification requirements obtains differentiated financing and, therefore, poor families living in areas of risk or environmental preservation will have the chance to make the dream of home ownership come true.
It is evident that construction companies are seeking to minimize costs and, to the detriment of this, hampering the accomplishment of a good architectural work that provides, for example, questions related to environmental (thermal, acoustic) comfort.
The most challenging attitude is to make entrepreneurs aware of the market niche that appears in front of them. With high housing deficit rates in Brazil, producing sustainable housing can be a great opportunity to expand business.
conservation of the property. By balancing the costs of producing sustainable housing units in parallel with low-rate financing, a highly profitable system can be created for all stakeholders.
It would be of great importance for Caixa Econômica Federal to revise the interest rates of the available financing lines, thus making the use of the increasingly attractive certification so that new adepts emerge. In addition, investing in publicizing the seal and the advantages of its adoption, seems to be a good idea, so that the theme will become increasingly widespread among the entrepreneurs in the segment.
In response to the previously mentioned questions, follows:
1. Sustainable house from the requirements of the Seal Casa Azul has a cost of production in the range of 11% more than that of unsustainable; to
8.82% when calculating the financing with
special rates, offered by Caixa Econômica to certified projects;
2. With a small family economy (consisting of 4 members), on average, the 5-year and 7-month period would be enough to cover the difference paid in a sustainable unit to the detriment of a non-sustainable unit.
Finally, it is observed that even though it is necessary to invest a greater sum of financial resources, in order to classify an enterprise as sustainable, the return is extremely positive for every involved part. It is positive to the environment, with the reduction of waste of natural resources and more adequate use; to the constructors for acquiring a more positive image with the consumer market, when they demonstrate to be more responsible and conscious, attentive to the changes of the present time. And, to the society, for allowing us to have access to properties better prepared to use the natural resources, culminating in the reduction of water consumption, energy, as well as more environmental comfort for its residents.
It is worth mentioning that many other initiatives of this nature have appeared all over the world, such as in the cities of Curitiba, Bogotá, Masdar, Songdo, Mexico City, Estolcomo, Copenhagen, London.
The process of evolution has begun, it is a path without a return. A new moment is emerging and with it a more conscious and committed to the environment market. Whoever is prepared to meet this demand will be one step ahead of the other competitors.
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