Green Building: What does the Fourth Little Pig Need to Know Before Choosing a Green Home

What is “green building?” “Green building is a holistic concept that starts with the understanding that the built environment can have profound effects, both positive and negative, on the natural environment, as well as the people who inhabit buildings every day. Green building is an effort to amplify the positive and mitigate the negative of these effects throughout the entire life cycle of a building.” USGBC

What is “green building?” It involves the planning, design, construction, and operations of buildings with several central considerations: energy use water use indoor environmental quality material section the building's effects on its site

“Green” Phrases sustainability high-performance buildings carbon footprint proper siting water and energy efficiency materials reuse and recycle composting

Why do we pursue green building? Impact of buildings on our environment The manufacturing, design, construction, and operation of the buildings in which we live and work are responsible for the consumption of many of our natural resources. In the United States, buildings account for: 39% of total energy use 68% of total electricity consumption 30% of landfill waste 38% of carbon dioxide emissions 12% of total water consumption

Environmental Benefits Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems Improve air and water quality Conservation Water Waste water Energy Materials Reducing waste streams from construction materials Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic Benefits Reduce operating costs Improve occupant productivity Enhance asset value and profits Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social Benefits Enhance occupant health and comfort Improve indoor air quality Minimize strain on local utility infrastructure Improve overall quality of life  Example: Proper design to eliminate water intrusion, adequate ventilation, and materials selection can help ensure a building's indoor environment is protective of occupant health. Access to views, daylight, and nature, buildings can enhance worker productivity, student achievement, and even patient recovery rates.

Problems with green building? “new” buildings Remember you can retrofit an existing building and it may be more “green” than building a new one from scratch Picking “green” items that do not work with each other Not planning out the “green” ideas and the design of the home at the same time

Smart Solutions Work cooperatively with the whole “team” Select “green” elements that work for your area Select “green” elements that work within your plan Avoid the “dollar menu” approach to green building

Bainbridge Island Home:

Bainbridge House: What makes this one “green”? Renovation of an existing home Reuse of more than 80% of the existing materials. The new home cuts energy consumption by 70% by: geothermal heating, photovoltaic energy systems (aka solar) Other key sustainable features include: Rainwater collection (3,000 gallon rainwater collection system) FSC and recycled wood products, triple-glazed windows (it is Washington after all) green roof.

What would you want to have in your green home and why?

Conclusion/Questions