Green Building

Green building is…

• …..the practice of creating structures and using
processes that are environmentally responsible
and resource-efficient throughout a building's
life-cycle from siting to design, construction,
operation, maintenance, renovation and
deconstruction. This practice expands and
complements the classical building design
concerns of economy, utility, durability, and
comfort. Green building is also known as a
sustainable or high performance building.
EPA
Some facts about buildings in
the United States
• 39% of total energy use and 72% of electricity consumption
• 39% of greenhouse gas emissions
• Heat island effect: large cities average 2-5 °F warmer than
surroundings, and up to 12 °F in evening
• 30% of raw materials use
• 40% of solid waste output is from construction/demolition
debris (about half is recovered)
• 13% of potable water consumption
• Projected 54 M acres will be developed between 2003-2030
(~50% increase) (White, et al, 2008)
EPA
Built and Natural Environments
Built and Natural Environments
• Habitat & Biodiversity
• Loss
• Degradation (non-natives)
• Fragmentation
• Water Resources
• Runoff/impervious surfaces
• Groundwater recharge
• Contamination
• Air Quality
• Indoor
• Outdoor
• Health
• Activity/physical
• Emotional
Built and Natural Environments
• Where to build
• Protecting sensitive areas
• Infill (greyfields, brownfields)
• Transit hubs
• How to Build
• Compact
• Mixed use
• Connectivity
• Community by design
• Accessibility/transit
• Green building
Impacts of Built Environment
Aspects of Built Environmental Potential Ultimate
Consumption:
Environment: Effects: Adverse Effects :
Siting Energy Waste Harm to Human Health
Design Water Air pollution Loss of productivity
Construction Materials Water pollution Loss of community
Natural
Operation Indoor pollution Environment Degradation
Resources
Maintenance Heat islands Loss of Resources
Renovation Stormwater runoff
Deconstruction Noise
Elements of Green Building
• Appropriate siting
• Energy efficiency & renewable energy
• Water efficiency
• Environmentally preferable building materials & construction
• Waste reduction
• Toxics reduction
• Indoor air quality
• Smart growth & development
Rating systems (in US)
• Energy Star
• US government
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• US Green Building Council, USGBC
• Green Globes
• Green Building Initiative, GBI
• National Green Building Standard
• National Association of Home Builders, NAHB
• Living Building Challenge
• International Living Future Institute
LEED
• Sustainable Site Development
• Water use
• Energy efficiency
• Materials selection
• Indoor environmental quality
• Design innovation
2009 LEED Checklist
Example: Site Selection
• Do Not Use
• Prime farmland
• Within 5 ft elevation of 100 year floodplain
• Identified habitat for threatened or endangered species
• Within 100 ft of wetlands
• Previously undeveloped land within 50 ft of water body
• Public parkland (unless traded)
2009 LEED Checklist
2009 LEED Checklist
2009 LEED Checklist
Beyond Sustainable
• Net Zero Energy – Zero Energy Building (ZEB)
• At the heart of the ZEB concept is the idea that buildings can meet
all their energy requirements from low-cost, locally available,
nonpolluting, renewable sources. At the strictest level, a ZEB
generates enough renewable energy on site to equal or exceed its
annual energy use. - NREL
• Hurlburt Field (FL)
• NIST Test House
• Regenerative Design
• A regenerative system makes no waste; its output is equal to or
greater than its input; and part or all of this output goes toward
creating further output — in other words, it uses as input what in
other systems would become waste. – RLI
• University of British Columbia
• Willows School (NJ)