Successful sustainable construction begins with a design that addresses each of the following five core elements of green building design.
- Sustainable website design
- Conservation and water quality
- Energy and Environment
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Conservation of Materials and Resources
To ensure design integrity and eventual sustainable outcome, the integration of green technology within each of those core design elements is critical. For example, the interrelationship between the site’s orientation, the water conservation program, the use of natural energy sources, the quality of natural sunlight within the building, all affect the building’s need for materials and energy sources. In fact, the ideal design brings all the elements together over and over again.
The integration of the design elements requires the recognition of several sustainability principles and the application of these principles to the analysis of the site:
- Reduce urban sprawl and land destruction
- Promote higher density urban development
- Pursue brownfield development to save existing green space
- Minimize site disturbance and restore natural habitat
Below are suggestions for consideration with each item.
Sustainable website design
- Select a new site only when necessary
- When a new site is needed, don’t choose a site that is critical to the local ecosystem.
- Orient the building on the site to use natural resources such as solar energy.
- Select a site that allows access to public transportation
- Minimize the building footprint by using existing surfaces, lightening roof color and using natural shading
Conservation and water quality
- Keep in mind that orientation of the proposed building that allows for natural drainage is often the least expensive way to improve the location.
- Ensure site assessment captures natural hydrological attributes
- Allow the use of low-impact stormwater retention systems
- Set a water budget and implement features to help meet budget
- Improve water quality and conservation by using native trees, plants, and grasses that do not require irrigation, fertilizers, or pesticides
Energy and Environment
- Maximize passive solar orientation
- Reduce the need for artificial lighting by planning to use natural sunlight whenever possible
- Use exterior insulation to maximize the performance of the exterior envelope
- use natural ventilation
- Use Energy Star efficient appliances
- Use new age lighting products and settings
- Research all new energy technologies
Indoor Environmental Quality
- Protect the interior of the building during the construction process
- Make the building smoke free
- Maximize the use of daytime sunlight
- Ensure all interior finishes are safe and environmentally friendly
- Design a healthy heating, cooling and ventilation system.
Materials and Resources
- Use engineered high-stress materials whose strength reduces the amount of materials used
- Use recycled materials whenever possible
- Use materials that can be recycled when their functional life has elapsed
- Support the local economy and reduce the transportation of materials by using local suppliers of local products.
The top five elements, from sustainable sites to materials and resources, are also considered in the US Green Building Council’s LEED building certification. Whether you’re considering that certification or just interested in green building, the above points to consider can make a big difference in returns, costs and the environment.
