Using eco-friendly building materials in the facade design process within the scope of sustainability: Aluminum example

The use of natural resources and non-renewable energy resources due to technological developments, population growth, new life and production style and urbanization after the Industrial Revolution caused energy, environmental and waste problems, deterioration of the natural environment and a decrease in the quality of life by threatening human health. In this process, the concept of sustainability emerged as a world view that aims to meet the needs of today without harming the living conditions of future generations; It has been accepted as a phenomenon that cares about the protection of the environment we live in and has entered the field of interest of many disciplines together with architecture. The construction industry and the choice of building materials are largely responsible for the energy produced in the world; It has been understood that environmentally friendly building materials that save energy, reduce waste, have a long service life, do not require frequent maintenance and repair, are recyclable, sensitive to resource use and suitable for human health and comfort, should be preferred. The Life Cycle Evaluation-LCA approach has come to the fore as a method that cares about the comfort and health of the user and increases the quality of life of the user. This study aims to investigate the use of environmentally friendly building materials in the façade design process within the scope of sustainability in the example of aluminium. The fact that it is functional, aesthetic, durable, environmentally friendly and economical and preferred in facade design has been decisive in the selection of aluminium as a building material. The type and quality of aluminium and glass used in Curtain Walls are considered important in terms of energy conservation, since heat losses in buildings are mostly caused by the dimensions of the openings on the facade, the building material used, and the aluminium and glass materials can provide a large amount of recycling. In this context, the literature on sustainable building design, facade design process, environmentally friendly building materials and aluminium has been researched, curtain wall systems have been examined with office building examples in the world and in Turkey, the environmental effects of aluminium throughout its life cycle have been evaluated by the LCA method, and suggestions for its use in Curtain Walling developed.