Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is green building / sustainable design?
Green building is a comprehensive approach to design that enhances efficiency across all aspects of a building's life-cycle. Its purpose is to increase a structure's energy efficiency, water efficiency, and overall sustainability. Every aspect of construction is examined to ensure minimal environmental impact — from raw materials to site positioning.
Innovative techniques include: collecting rainwater for non-drinking uses such as toilets and sprinklers; using recyclable certified wood products; aligning buildings to prevent soil erosion and runoff; and deploying renewable energy sources such as solar hot water heaters.
Green building considers the structure as a whole — how its subsystems work best together to save energy and reduce environmental impact. A building using extensive daylighting, for example, reduces heat from fixtures, allowing for a smaller air conditioning system. This whole-building philosophy considers the interrelation of site, energy, materials, indoor air quality, acoustics, and natural resources.
Q. What are the economic and health benefits of green building?
Green building yields economic benefits through energy conservation, water conservation, and reduced material waste to landfills. High-efficiency measures implemented at the design outset can achieve tremendous energy savings over a structure's life-cycle.
Green design is also economically lucrative in that it positively impacts worker productivity through improved ventilation and daylighting. Research documents multiple case studies in which efficient lighting, heating, and cooling measurably increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and improved work quality. A well-designed workplace can increase employee productivity by up to 20 percent.
Q. What impact could building design improvements have on our domestic energy supply?
Buildings constitute 45% of worldwide energy use. Widespread adoption of green building and sustainable design techniques could significantly reduce the overall demand on our energy supply.
Q. Doesn't green building cost more?
A study of 33 green buildings in California found that the average cost premium over traditional construction was about 2% — roughly $4 per square foot. The average energy reduction was 30%, sufficient to pay back the 2% premium in under 9 years. Over a twenty-year period, the net savings for a green building was between $48.87 and $67.31 per square foot, depending on LEED rating.
Q. Is there a list of experienced designers and architects?
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) maintains a directory of accredited professionals — architects, engineers, consultants, energy services, governments, financial institutions, designers, landscape architects, non-profits, planners, manufacturers, and real estate professionals. Visit usgbc.org and look for the LEED AP Directory.