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The Components of Green Design and
The Role of The Home Building Professional

for Connecticut Builder Magazine

There is a growing awareness among people everywhere of the critical environmental issues facing our world: global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, depletion of natural resources and the destruction of entire ecosystems, to name a few. The solutions to these problems are far from simple and will require the efforts of many people over a long period of time. One area which has received attention lately is building design and construction.

Green Design, Green Architecture and Sustainable Design are terms that are being used by architects and builders with more and more frequency. But what do they mean, why is there a need for them and what is being done?

Sustainable Architecture has been defined as that which "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.." Sustainable design is not a style, but an approach to creating buildings that take environmental concerns into account at each phase.

According to the Worldwatch Institute, ìBuildings consume 40 percent of the energy, and 16 percent of the water used annually worldwide. In the last hundred years, the amount of heat trapping carbon dioxide in the air has risen 27 percent, of which one quarter has come from the combustion of fossil fuels to provide energy for building. This build-up threatens ecosystems and agriculture and human settlements with higher temperatures, and has changed weather patterns. Moreover, up to 30 percent of new and renovated buildings suffer from ìSick Building Syndrome,î subjecting occupants who spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, to unhealthy air.

In response to these sobering statistics, progressive thinking builders and architects are beginning to look to solutions in the choices they make and the materials they specify. The Connecticut Chapter of The American Institute of Architects Committee on The Environment (COTE) was formed in 1993. It's mission is "to lead and coordinate the professionís involvement in environmental and energy related issues." The COTE meets regularly at the AIA office in New Haven and sponsors annual seminars on sustainable design issues. ( For more information contact COTE Chair , Bill Curtis AIA - 860-535-4541 )

There are three major components of Green Design: energy, material selection and waste management. Energy use in a building is in some ways the most critical component because it has an ongoing effect over the life of the building. Poorly designed or energy inefficient structures continue to waste precious resources and pollute our atmosphere. According to Nancy Cole of the Union of Concerned Scientists, "The burning of fossil fuels for energy accounts for 60 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels now account for 85 percent of the current U.S. fuel use." Many scientists believe the supply of these will diminish rapidly in the near future.

It is critical for builders and architects to design and build to reduce energy demand and its consequences. New techniques of super insulation should be considered as well as careful selection and placement of glazing. Simple, time-tested techniques of passive solar heating and cooling, that add little cost to a building, can be used in any new construction. Daylighting of interior spaces reduces electric demand and creates a more pleasant environment. New energy, efficient mechanical equipment, lighting and appliances can also be considered . Most utility companies now have incentive programs in place to encourage the efficient use of energy. Rebates, technical assistance and training seminars are often used as part of their ìDemand Side Management.î In Connecticut, Northeast Utilities offers the "Energy Crafted Home Program". The program trains architects and builders in energy efficient construction. New homes built to their standards are tested and certified. United Illuminating has a similar program called the "Good Cents Home" which in addition offers rebates for the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs and geothermal heat pumps.

In addition to energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy technologies are available and offer a long-term solution to our growing energy demand. Solar water heating, popular in the 1970s because of high fuel prices and government subsides, is making a comeback. The efficiency of these systems has improved and costs have remained stable.
One of the most promising technologies, now available in the market are Photovoltaics (P.V.s). P.V.s convert sunlight into electricity which can be either used directly, stored in batteries or sold back to the utility. P.V.s, which were developed in the 1950s to power satellites, have been used in buildings for years but only recently have come down to an affordable level. Even more exciting is the development of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (B.I.P.V.). New products being pioneered in Europe and Japan integrate P.V. cells into roof shingles, skylights and curtain walls. These developments make P.V. more responsive to aesthetic concerns. P.V.s are a truly elegant clean method of generating power at the point of use and will no doubt be used increasingly in the future. Any one interested in renewables should contact The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). NESEA is the leading association of building professionals dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. (413-774-6051)

The next major component of green design is materials. Architects and builders are faced with hundreds of decisions when selecting materials and products. The criteria has traditionally been cost, aesthetics, maintenance and availability. Now, environmental impacts and life cycle costs are entering the equation. The largest section of the AIAís Environmental Resource Guide ( ERG ) deals with material selection and profiles the most commonly used building materials. Each review covers issues such as natural resource depletion, energy consumption, waste generation and indoor air quality. The ERGís assessment takes a ìcradle-to-graveî perspective.

Although the ERG does offer suggestions and priorities to architects to consider, it does not list or review specific products. For this there are numerous resource guides available, some of which are listed at the end. The largest display of environmental materials and products in the tri-state area is the Environmental Outfitters at 44 Crosby Street in lower Manhattan. There showroom features dozens of primarily non-toxic alternatives to conventional materials.

Recycling efforts which have swept across the country in recent years are producing an abundance of building materials with varying degrees of recycled content. Siding, roofing, tile, carpeting and wall board are available which reuse discarded materials reducing solid waste.
In general, there seems to be a shift to natural, renewable and durable materials. And although initial cost for this approach is often higher, the life cycle cost which includes replacement cost and maintenance, are usually much lower. Most of all, natural materials add value to a project because they look and feel better.

The final component of green design considered here is waste management. "Construction and demolition (C/D) waste makes up roughly 25% of what goes into municipal landfills in the U.S. If you include state, federal and private landfills, C/D waste amounts to about 100 million tons a year, 90% of which is recyclable." Costs and paybacks for construction demolition recycling vary widely. finding recyclers can also be difficult. In Connecticut the largest recycler of construction demolition waste is Stapleton Resource Recycling, Inc. Located in Milford, SRRI accepts wood waste products, land clearing debris, asphalt, concrete, brick, plastics, and metals. Materials are separated and cleaned then processed into salable products.

Another local resource is the Material Exchange. the Material Exchange is a non-profit organization based in Bridgeport that will pick up most construction demolition materials and sell them at minimal cost to low income families. They take lumber, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, doors, windows, etc.

For architects it is important to discuss recycling with their clients well in advance of construction, and if possible, to write it into the specification. One new resource which assists in this is ìwaste-spec.î Waste-spec is a comprehensive model specification which addresses construction waste reduction, reuse and recycling. It also identifies those provisions that will either add or not add to construction cost. Reduced waste generation saves money in disposal costs and salvaged materials con often be sold for a profit.

The mission of The AIA COTE as stated is "to create sustainable buildings and communities by advancing, disseminating and advocating environmental knowledge and values to the profession, industry and public." Clearly, the first task for any architect is to become aware of the global environmental issues that we all face. Secondly, to see the professional's responsibility in the big and little decisions that are made daily. Thirdly, to take a leadership role in educating the public and our clients as to the choices we have. Hopefully, the result will be a built environment that will sustain itself well into the 21st century.