Strategies for improved building performance from the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) :
Energy savings
Water efficiency
CO2 emissions reduction
Improved indoor environmental quality
Stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impact
According to The Interior Graphic Standards, technology is increasingly being employed to augment natural processes rather than outdo them, and materials are being utilized with greater efficiency and more in harmony with the Earth’s ecology.
Sustainable Development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
There are four primary areas of focus when considering sustainable design efficiency:
- Energy- conserving it to improve the building’s overall environmental performance while reducing operating costs
- Recourses-by preservation and conservation strategies, the health and balance of the Earth’s ecosystems can be preserved
- Water-sustainable sites encourage natural water filtration processes and reduce overall use of potable water, conservation results in savings in operating costs
- Health- maintaining the environment
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
Its rating system is used to ensure that the design is as sustainable as possible.
It has five categories:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Materials and Recourses
And several things to consider when specifying interior finishes and specs:
- Recourse Reuse- salvaged or refurbished materials
- Recycled Content- used in building materials
- Local/ Regional/ Materials- 500 mile radius
- Rapidly Renewable Materials- able to replenish themselves naturally
- Certified Wood-encourages the use of forest products
Hopefully, the Earth’s future, and the health of future generations are important enough to you, as a designer, to at least consider these things when you are designing. I cannot possible see how anyone could put up a legitimate argument for why each and every person should not go green in every way that they possible can.
O Wait…..People don’t like change.
I completely agree. It would be impossible to market or put a new product out that "hurt" or "destroyed" the environment.
ReplyDelete"Quick! Buy this new tile that kills kittens" - Not likely.
Danielle, Your post was quite educational. You listed a break down of what are the key aspects of sustainable design and the different categories to sustainability in design. The building I work in is LEED certified, and I can honestly say that there is a hige difference in the air quality, use of natural light and energy savings from that of a standard building. It's pretty incredible.
ReplyDeleteDanielle,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Rachel completely, the information you have provide is extremely educational and informative.
The only problem with that much information is getting the public to understand it and work toward improving the quality of life in the world.