Monday: Q & A


Why is Going Green so Important?



While no one has a crystal ball, it is clear that momentum is growing for consideration of green/sustainable issues in every design project. As recently as five years ago, it was often difficult to obtain green/sustainable product information. Today most companies can supply information, although ‘greenwashing’ may be a problem. Often there is no or only a minimal cost increase to specify green/sustainable products. Companies are adopting sustainable manufacturing processes because it makes good business sense to do so. Professional organizations (IDEC, IIDA, ASID, IFMA, AIA) are sponsoring programs and CEUs to enable their membership to become better informed. Certification and awards programs encourage green/sustainable specification and recognize leaders in the field. Retrieved July 30, 2007, from http://www.idec.org/greendesign/where.html

LEED GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM Developed by the USGBC membership, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) Green Building Rating System is a national consensus-based, market-driven building rating system designed to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices. In short, it is a leading-edge system for designing, constructing and certifying the world’s greenest and best buildings. The full program offers training workshops, professional accreditation, resource support and third-party certification of building performance. The current version of the rating system, LEED 2.0, was designed for rating new commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings, however, active member committees are developing criteria addressing new project types. LEED rating systems for Commercial Interiors and for Existing Buildings are currently under development.US Green Building Council. LEED Green building rating system. Retrieved October 6, 2002, from http://www.usgbc.org/AboutUs/programs.asp

TEN SHADES OF GREENThis traveling exhibition of recent architecture combines innovative design with environmental sensitivity. "Green design is not only about energy efficiency, and it is not purely a technical matter. Instead it involves a whole nexus of interrelated issues, the social, cultural, psychological and economic dimensions of which are as important as the technical and ecological--thus the 'ten shades' of this exhibition's deliberately ambiguous title. Ten shades refers to ten key issues that need to be considered to create a fully green architecture: low energy/high performance, replenishable sources; recycling; embodied energy; long life, loose fit; total life cycle costing; embedded in place; access and urban context; health and happiness; and community and connection. It refers as well to the built schemes that are the exhibition's focus, and to their various degrees of 'greenness." Architectural League of New York. Ten shades of green. Retrieved October 9, 2002, from http://www.archleague.org/tenshadesofgreen/10shades.html

There are a few individuals who are forging new directions in design practice. William McDonough, an internationally renowned designer who is recognized as a leader in the sustainable/green movement, is one of these individuals. His newest book is, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way we Make Things, written with his colleague, the German chemist Michael Braungart, is a manifesto calling for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design. He is the founding principal of William McDonough + Partners, Architecture and Community Design, an internationally recognized design firm practicing ecologically, socially, and economically intelligent architecture and planning in the U.S. and abroad. In 1999 Time magazine recognized him as a 'Hero for the Planet' (2/22/99), stating that "his utopianism is grounded in a unified philosophy that—in demonstrable and practical ways—is changing the design of the world." His ideas and efforts were honored when, in 1996, he became the only individual to receive the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, the nation's highest environmental honor, presented by President Clinton in a White House ceremony.Retrieved October 20, 2002, from http://www.mcdonough.com/#