by Robert Gluck
Building designs that are green minimize environmental impacts as well as the impacts on people.
But this may be a definition that’s too broad.
In her article titled “Modern Building Design-Is it Green Yet?”, freelance writer Mary Smith says that when buildings are designed with the “green” ideals in mind, the amount of energy spent constructing the building and operating the building during its lifetime can be minimized.
“The past few decades has witnessed the development of a wide variety of building practices, hi-tech materials and innovative techniques needed to fulfill these ‘green’ goals,” Smith says.
“The use of sustainable materials is one important characteristic of a green building design. Materials that qualify as sustainable include those that are available locally or those that are recyclable. Non-toxic materials as well as those that are reusable or renewable are often chosen as well.”
“Orientation of the building on a site is another common characteristic of a green design or basically a characteristic of a LEED AP building design and construction. Building orientation can minimize unfavorable local weather conditions or take advantage of the sun (solar certification or solar training can make a difference here) to save a considerable amount of energy over the lifetime of the building.”
Smith says the specific techniques and methods of construction chosen by the building designer can minimize the impact of the construction process on the environment; in other words a LEED AP certification or a BPI standards building design (by a BPI analyst training certified professional) will take care of all ‘green’concerns of your building
Use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power (solar courses or solar certification and wind energy certification – professionals with these qualifications can aid you immensely with the correct environment-friendly choices) may be part of a green building design or a LEED certified building.
High efficiency water, waste and energy systems can reduce both the energy required, and lead to an environmental impact over the lifetime of the building.
A BPI certification usually provides ‘green’ minded home/building owners with a peace of mind as certified professionals work on it accurately and perfectly.
In spite of the recent global economic problems, sustainable building is projected to increase.
In part the ‘green’ growth or the ‘green building’ revolution is fueled by a growing number of government initiatives and by increasing public demand for green products and services.
More and more often the public prefers, and even expects, to do business with “green” companies. Hence the popularity of LEED courses and LEED training.
Dozens of green building standards currently exist due to the public demand for everything green. The best known of these standards, created by the US Green Building Council, is of course LEED (for the uninitiated LEED stands for – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
But more is necessary.
“The problem is that there is no national standard yet,” Smith says.
“The lack of a strong national green building standard has led to some problems. Some buildings that claim to be green are in fact not green at all. Some companies feel they cannot compete without a claim to one standard or the other. In the worst cases, the issue of sustainable or green practices and materials has never even been considered, much less implemented.”
The importance of green building design has taken many years to catch on.
But the question is – what happens next?
As a writer who follows green building & the building sciences closely, Smith knows it has now become an important global trend.
“Some experts believe the trend towards green buildings will continue to grow. Others say green building design and practices will become less discretionary and more mandated. I think it will become standard practice. We’re not there yet, but governments and the building industries are moving quickly in the right direction,” she concludes.
If you’re interested to know much more about ‘green’ buildings (a building science course or a BPI training maybe) or be a LEED green associate, then just come to our website –
http://www.cleanedison.com/our-courses.html
