A net-zero house is a structure that consumes only the energy it produces. Reports suggest that the net-zero energy building movement has hit critical mass after being considered a fringe goal for a long time. Net-zero housing has earned its place in the mainstream, and is a combination of many of the topics discussed in the list. For now, Research and Market’s report suggest that the market is registering growth due to the increasing number of initiatives regarding energy efficiency by the government and rising need for net-zero energy buildings to reduce GHG emissions.
Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse is the process of redeveloping existing buildings, and reusing it for purposes other than which it was designed for, and are typically related to historic preservation or around cities with a rich history. Studies have suggested that adaptive reuse reduces consumption which has been produced and is responsive to the environment. Moreover, it has been proven that retrofitting an existing building to make it more efficient is always better than building a new structure with the same efficiencies. For example, Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue was an adaptive reuse project transformed from a marble-cutting workshop to a warehouse to a gallery which is now a regional hub of art, creativity and community.