Sustainable Building: Healthy Buildings and Wellness Real Estate

With a growing focus on sustainability and well-being, technologies are playing a crucial role in making buildings not only greener, but also healthier for occupants.

To continue to make progress towards these goals, the industry must embrace new innovations and technologies.

Some examples include:

• LED circadian lighting systems that mimic the natural cycle of sunlight.
• Environmental sensors and IoT systems to monitor air quality and environmental conditions.
• Biophilic design with natural elements such as green walls and green roofs.
• Light and cold materials that reduce the temperature of buildings and floors.

The "Wellness Real Estate" Market

The wellness real estate market is revolutionizing the global real estate industry, integrating elements of well-being into design, materials and construction techniques. According to a recent report by the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness real estate market will exceed $900 billion by 2028, with a growth rate of +108% between 2023 and 2028.

The 10 Most Innovative Technologies for "Healthy Buildings"

1. Photocatalysis: Photocatalytic coatings and smart air purifiers
   
   
2. Cold surfaces reflecting light and heat (cool materials)
   
   
3. Modular and replaceable prefabricated products
   
   
4. Digital technologies and BIM (Building Information Modeling) modeling
   
   
5. Sustainable and non-toxic building materials, containing recycled materials (glass, wood, plastic)
   
   
6. Circadian lighting systems (LED lighting that mimics the natural cycle of sunlight)
   
   
7. Environmental sensors and IoT systems to monitor air quality, environmental conditions and for automated building management (BMS)
   
   
8. Solar panels and energy efficiency technologies, with the use of renewable energy and energy storage systems
   
   
9. Biophilic design, with incorporation of natural elements, such as green walls, green roofs and open spaces
   
   
10. Materials and technologies for sound insulation and intelligent noise control

Photocatalysis

One of the most promising technologies in the field of "healthy buildings" is photocatalysis, a process that combines light and air to decompose pollutants. The photocatalytic process uses titanium dioxide and sunlight to purify the air, reducing the concentration of polluting particles suspended in the atmosphere, in particular by neutralizing nitric oxide.

This technology is used in the production of construction elements with anti-pollutant properties. In construction, exterior coatings such as plasters, roof tiles and façade panels, known as "smog-eaters", are becoming increasingly common due to their ability to retain fine dust, nitrogen oxide and other pollutants.

In addition to improving air quality, these coatings can decompose bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and other harmful pathogens, reducing the cost of cleaning and maintaining buildings. Thanks to these innovations, it will be possible to improve the healthiness of the air and the well-being of people both inside and outside buildings.