Xpressionz of an Architect

Green buildings have less negative impact on environment than standard buildings.

In 2000, U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) started LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

 Following are 10 rules for Green development

• Rule 1: Focus on the big picture

  Integrating green principles into building’s planning and design from the start, appointing the right people.

• Rule 2:Choose a sustainable site

  Cannot be constructed on prime farm land, parkland, historic site or endangered habitat of a species. Ideal location would be vacant lots, redevelopment sites like rail yards etc.

• Rule 3:Do the Math

  Apply a cost /benefit analysis before allocating funding.

• Rule 4:Make the site plan work for you

  Reduce the amount of roads, parking lots, reduce grading and earthwork, limit erosion. Easy access to public transportation. 

• Rule 5:Landscape for Savings

  Minimizing heat islands, green roof, drought tolerant plants.

• Rule 6:Design for greater green

  Maximize of day lighting, Operable windows and skylights enable natural ventilation.

• Rule 7:Take advantage of Technology

  Help conserve and even generate energy. Install motion sensitive lighting sensors and individual climate controls in offices, workstations. Highly efficient HVAC systems that do not use chloro floro carbons. Though it will take long time before we get back the investment cost, in part through lower operating costs, increased productivity, longer employee retention and less sick time. 

• Rule 8: Save and manage water

  Water conserving irrigation systems, waterless urinals, recycled water for landscape.

• Rule 9: Use alternative materials

  Low emission paints, strawboard made out of wheat.

• Rule 10:Construct green

  Construction process control, recycle waste, recycle at least 50% of its waste

 

Source: Building the Green Way – Charles Lockwood (HBR:R0606J)

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 at 5:08 am and is filed under Sustainable Architecture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.