Abstract

The construction industry is experiencing rapid global expansion, with buildings accounting for a significant portion of energy consumption and contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. As sustainability becomes a growing concern, green building practices are being increasingly adopted worldwide. However, Pakistan’s construction sector largely relies on traditional methods that are environmentally unsustainable. This research focuses on assessing energy consumption and costs in existing buildings, with an emphasis on the potential of green building technologies to improve energy efficiency. A case study of Golden Gate City Plaza in Lahore was conducted, where energy modeling was performed using AutoCAD and Revit software to evaluate the impact of incorporating green building materials. By substituting conventional materials with locally sourced, eco-friendly alternatives, the analysis demonstrated energy savings ranging from 17% to 19% annually. The payback period for implementing these green technologies was found to be between 8 to 13 years, depending on the specific material used. The findings highlight the effectiveness of materials such as lightweight concrete, cork flooring, advanced insulation, and green roofs in reducing energy consumption and operational costs. This study underscores the importance of retrofitting existing buildings with sustainable technologies to achieve energy efficiency and promote environmental sustainability in Pakistan’s construction industry.

Keywords:Sustainability; Green buildings; Environment; Building information modelling (BIM); Energy efficiency