Design of industrial buildings: when lean meets sustainability

The construction of industrial plants involves the use of large material quantities to cover their structural requirements (large openings, increased equipment loads etc.) with both production as well as transportation and erection having a significant environmental effect. It is becoming increasingly important for the stakeholders involved to explore the relationship between industrial construction and sustainability. Much of the research revolves around the relationship between industry and sustainability, but few about the relationship between building construction and industrial sustainability. This article is an exploration between the relationship of sustainability with Lean thinking in the backdrop of sustainable and Lean construction. Although there has been a lot of research behind those topics in separation there is a lack of research that explores the relationship between Lean and sustainable construction and how by successfully utilising those in unison can bring about great environmental, economic and social gains and benefits.