A Comparative study on conventional and sustainable construction with special reference to Toki buildings

In this thesis, conventional and sustainable construction methods and materials are investigated and discussed in detail to gain insight of the relations between the effects of construction industry and sustainability through literature review. The environmental issues are addressed and introduced in order to explain and enhance understanding the need for alternative energy resources. The common methods of construction in Turkey are also investigated in order to comprehend the sustainability potential of the industry. Considering that the TOKI is one of the most important financers and promoters of the construction industry, two TOKI buildings were selected carefully to be used as a representative building type in the thesis. Since the weather conditions would also make a significant effect on the sustainability potential, two extreme locations were also determined and used in the analytical study. In order to understand the climate conditions, selected weather regions are also investigated and explained. Carefully selected Cases are analyzed in terms of sustainability potentials such as orientation, wall and roof assemblies, window sizes, water consumption and carbon emissions with the ?green building studio?. All the parameters have significant effects on the sustainability potential and that the effect of each parameter is explained and necessary suggestions are made to the construction industry. Different combinations of these parameters are also compared and results are explained in detail to obtain further understanding of sustainability potential of selected buildings. It must be noted that the suggestions provided in this thesis are potentially important for the construction industry in Turkey.