Green Building
Green building, also known as sustainable building is catching momentum quickly. Now that us as a world have realized how important it is to be more eco-friendly, more and more people are concerned that the building materials we use to build the places in which we work, live, play, learn, heal, shop, eat and worship are also eco-friendly. In steps, green architecture. Architect’s these days are definitely becoming more ‘green’ when designing buildings. Using green building materials, more and more green buildings are being erected with the environment in mind.
According to Wikipedia, green building is the practice of creating structures using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from site to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability and comfort.
Designing a Green Building
When designing green buildings, green architects try to reduce the overall impact of the built environment, on the human and natural environments by:
- Using energy, water and other resources efficiently
- Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation
- Protecting occupant health
- Improving employee production
- Using local, green building materials
Common Names for Green Building
Green building; green buildings; green architecture; green architects; natural building; sustainable design; green design; green designers
Green Building Principles
Green building is known to bring together a large variety of practices and techniques. Although most of these practices and techniques differ from place to place, most of the basic principles are common among everyone:
- Siting and Structure Design Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Efficiency
- Materials Efficiency
- Indoor Environmental Quality Enhancement
- Operations and Maintenance Optimization
- Waste and Toxics Reduction
- Produce a Greater Cumulative Effect
Cost of Green Building
The challenge many green architects face with a green building design is the cost. It’s no secret that being eco-friendly comes with a price tag. All architect’s are restricted to their clients budget, whether the project is big or small. Green architecture takes creativity, willingness and a few extra dollars. However, many people realize that even though the initial cost is high, over the course of the buildings lifetime, the costs will offset and even pay for themselves. Up-front cost vs. life-cycle cost definitely needs to be taken into consideration when difficult decisions need to be made.
Taking the LEED and Going Green
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides a third-party verification, to verify that a building or community was designed and built using strategies of green architecture. Architect’s can register their projects by visiting the Green Building Certification Institute’s website. Architects also have the option of earning LEED professional credentials to distinguish themselves from others in the field. The USGBC offers a wealth of resources to support architect’s who want to get LEED certified or want their projects certified.
