Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is green building/sustainable design?

A. Green building is a comprehensive approach to design that enhances efficiency in all aspects of a building’s life-cycle. The purpose of green building design 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 the raw materials chosen for construction to the positioning of the building on its site, everything is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of the building. Innovative high-efficiency design techniques include: collecting rain water for non-drinking uses such as toilets and sprinklers; using recyclable materials such as certified wood products in building construction; aligning buildings properly to prevent soil erosion and runoff; and, using renewable energy sources, such as solar hot water heaters, throughout the building whenever possible. Green building considers all building components during the design phase. It considers the building structure as a whole and examines how its various subsystems work best together to save energy and reduce environmental impact. A building that uses extensive daylighting techniques, for example, will reduce the amount of heat given off by lighting fixtures, thus 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?

A. Green building techniques can yield economic benefits through energy conservation, water conservation, and a reduction in the amount of material waste sent to landfills. If high-efficiency measures are implemented at the outset of the design process, tremendous energy savings can be achieved over a structure’s life-cycle. Green design is also economically lucrative from the perspective that it positively impacts worker productivity through improved ventilation and use of sunlight for lighting and heating (daylighting).

 

Q. What impact could building design improvements have on our domestic energy supply?

A. Buildings constitute 45% of worldwide energy use. Widespread use of green building and sustainable design techniques could significantly reduce the overall demand on our energy supply.

 

Q. Which are the five subcategories of the practice of green building ?

A. Energy: Building orientation; energy saving appliances; use of renewable or on-site energy sources; design for daylighting; trees and gardens used to capture rain or heat (to minimize reliance on heating and cooling systems).
Health and Safety: Building materials; paints and finishes that emit fewer toxic fumes; safer pest control and yard-care methods; design for effective ventilation; design for access to public transportation and transportation alternatives.
Site and Land Use: Avoiding development on inappropriate sites; natural erosion control to reduce impact on water and air quality; inclusion of natural habitat areas at the site; heat island reduction.
Materials and Waste: Use of recycled, recyclable, sustainably managed, and local materials; materials chosen to reduce life-cycle ecological impact; use of composting.
Water: Landscaping using native, drought-resistant plants; landscaping to reduce runoff; water recycling for landscape use; water efficient plumbing and appliances.