Green Building: What it means and why it matters
Getting into green means getting in on the ground floor of a business
opportunity and increasing your marketability
BY MELANIE KINTNER
You've probably heard the term "green building." Certainly,
if you read the EcoVillage town homes project profile in this issue, you've
seen it. The term is getting tossed around more and more frequently these
days, by your colleagues, maybe your clients, and even news organizations.
If you're not already on the green building bandwagon, you may not give
the phrase too much thought. Or maybe you've thought green equals expensive.
The fact is, making buildings green is increasingly important not just locally,
but nationwide. Getting on the bandwagon doesn't mean catering to a small,
radical group. It means getting in on the ground floor of a growing business
opportunity and improving the health of the building, its occupants (including
the construction crew) and the environment.
Everyone has a slightly different view of what the term "green"
should encompass. The basic idea is that building green is a holistic effort
to minimize the negative impact buildings have on their occupants, the environment
and the community. Ideally, this effort begins at the inception of the idea
for the building and includes input from everyone who will be involved in
designing, building, maintaining and occupying the building. But don't let
that discourage you from looking for ways to make existing buildings greener.
There is a whole range of "green."
A good way to get a practical handle on the holistic concepts of green
building is to look to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Earning enough points will
get your project LEED-certified. Points are awarded in five categories:
"Sustainable Sites" includes points for factors such as urban
or brownfield redevelopment, availability of alternative transportation,
and stormwater management; "Water Efficiency" includes reducing
water consumption in the building as well as water-efficient landscaping;
"Energy and Atmosphere" covers energy efficiency and renewable
energy sources; "Materials and Resources" is where those recycled,
recyclable, local and sustainable products earn points; and "Indoor
Environmental Quality" covers ventilation, low-emitting paints and
adhesives, daylighting and thermal comfort. These are just a few of the
ways a building can be made greener.
Green building is increasing both locally and nationwide. The U.S. Green
Building Council Web site (www.usgbc.org) lists projects that are LEED-certified.
There are currently 36 LEED-certified buildings, including one in Ohio.
The site also lists projects that are LEED-registered, which means the projects
are in the planning or construction stages and intend to apply for LEED
certification. There are currently 565 registered projects, including 13
in Ohio. That's a significant amount of green building. Consider as well
that LEED includes only commercial buildings. There are also homes, other
green building rating systems, and projects that are trying to incorporate
green without using an established rating system. Each green building project
requires professionals who understand and are open to green building concepts.
This increasing number of projects means an increasing number of opportunities
for green building professionals.
A substantial amount of research is going into quantifying the value
of green building environmentally and economically. Again, the U.S. Green
Building Council is an excellent source to find facts and figures. Its Web
site resources include a list of case studies, cost-benefit analyses (for
those techniques that seem expensive) and research on topics such as improvements
in productivity and retail sales due to green building techniques.
The bottom line is that green building is a trend that isn't going away.
It has a positive impact on the building and its occupants, the community
and the environment. And by filling this growing niche, you can increase
the marketability of your green building services. BXM
Editor's note: Watch for our special section on green building coming
in February.
Melanie Kintner has a B.A. in economics and anthropology and a Master
of Environmental Sciences degree. She currently is the Education Coordinator
for the Cleveland Green Building Coalition. Learn more at www.clevelandgbc.org.
Defining 'green'
- "Sustainable Design An integrated approach to the built
environment that balances the social, economic and environmental aspects
of our lives and enhances the well-being of our communities."-The
David and Lucile Packard Foundation: Los Altos Project, Sustainability
Resources, October 2002, www.bnim.com/presentation/packard.htm.
- "What is Green Design? Design and construction practices that
significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the
environment and occupants that address: sustainable site planning; safeguarding
water and water efficiency; energy efficiency; conservation of materials
and resources; and indoor air quality."-U.S. Green Building Council
- "A green building is designed to minimize the total environmental
harm of its materials, construction, operation and deconstruction. It is
built upon strategies that will save money, reduce waste increase worker
productivity and a create healthier environment for people to live and
work."-Green Building Alliance, www.gbapgh.org
