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Green Building Introduction
Posted on Jan 01, 2008 - 06:02 PM
By: Adam Beazley
Green building encompasses a very large field of expertise, all of which focus on increasing efficiency and establishing to some degree, some form of sustainability. Green builders accomplish this by using a variety of techniques ranging from natural building techniques, rainwater harvesting, energy harvesting, better siting and placement, more efficient design and construction methods, and better materials.
Green building which is thought to be synonymous with sustainable design and environmental building, will generally produce similar benefits such as reduced environmental impacts, lower electricity and water usage, less operating cost and also improved indoor air quality causing better occupant health and well being.
Unlike natural building, green building is heavily focused on creating aesthetic harmony with the surrounding environment, while remaining a positive ecological presence. Because of this, most green buildings and homes are often indistinguishable from other non-sustainable inefficient buildings and homes.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Green building is governed by standards, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certifications is essentially a standard point system on which homes and buildings are graded and given a rankings. These rankings reflect the degree of “greeness” of each structure, and ca be used to receive federal tax credits and other state funded benefits and incentives. The ranking of LEED certified structures is directly related to the degree of energy efficiency of the structure, which will generally result in below average energy cost for the structure.
Natural Building vs. Green Building
Natural building, although different from green building shares similar goals and ideas. Natural building focuses on using natural local materials and construction types to minimize the environmental impact. In general, natural building is more suited for homes than for buildings, as many of the techniques and materials are not suitable for multi story structures nor will they meet local and international building codes. the commonalities between natural building and green building is that both place a very high value on using local materials and efficient construction techniques, although green buildings tends to be much more refined and “systems” oriented.
Green building design encompasses the following areas:
- a. Site Location and Linkages
- * Site selection
* Site usage and disturbance
* Flood zones
* Urban/rural
* Utility capability
* Site infill’s
* Shared boundaries
- b. Site orientation, shading & Landscaping
- * Existing vegetation
* Recycled site material
* Natural/existing shading
* Shading of hardscapes(pavement)
* Maximize green spaces
* Drainage
* Irrigation techniques
* Plant selection
* Drought resistant plants
* Grass/plant ratio - little grass
* Deciduous trees
- * Water Reuse
----Cisterns
----Recycled water - washing machine
----Roof runoff collection
* Irrigation System
----Recycled gray water
* Indoor Water Use
----Wells and pump stations
--- Efficient faucets, shower heads, toilets
----Dry systems/low flush
- * Energy star products
* Insulation
* Air Infiltration
* Windows
----window orientation
----window types
* Heating and cooling distribution
----Thermal cooling/heating
----Natural heating - trombe wall
----Natural cooling - tall windows
----Volume - high ceilings
* Space heating and cooling
----Geothermal products
----Heat exchangers
----HVAC systems
* Water heating
----passive
----tankless
* Lighting
---- Low volt lightings
----Natural lighting
----Solar exterior lighting
* Alternative energy
----Solar arrays
----wind turbines
- * Construction Types
* Material usage/selection
* Recycled material
* Area ratio
* Windows/doors
* High Radiant barrier
* Reflective roofing - metal
* Durability
* Labor friendly
* Local materials
* Roof top gardens
5: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
- * Air Filtration
* Moisture control
* Combustion Venting
6: INNOVATION & DESIGN PROCESS
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