Green Building addresses issues of sustainability, energy and water conservation, alternative building materials, waste reduction, recycling and reusing materials and indoor environmental quality. It merges sound, environmentally responsible practices that look at the environmental, economical and social effects of a proposed development. To meet the individual “green” project goals, it is critical to identify and implement the best sustainable practices into each project based on a few common factors of the site:
|
|
regional climate conditions - such as temperature shifts through the day and seasons, rain fall, relative humidity, prevailing winds, and other special regional conditions (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, radon build-up or subterranean termites |
|
|
geographical conditions – such as topography, soil type, existing and native vegetation and solar alignment |
|
|
design and style conditions – match the structural design (building envelope) to maximize the site conditions while minimizing impacts to the site and overall expenditures |
After the site conditions are utilized within the project design, the next step is to incorporate the following common factors into the final design plans and construction of the structure:
|
|
building system selections – incorporating the correct heating, cooling and ventilations systems, plumbing, lighting (natural and electric generated) and appliances is key to providing the necessary comforts and conveniences as it relates to energy efficiency, air quality and natural lighting in a healthy space |
|
|
building material selections – utilize materials that minimize overall environmental impacts while maximizing the project’s construction and final environment (easy to maintain and clean, reduction in waste generated, regional and natural products and improvements to indoor air quality) |
|
|
landscape and plant selections – implementation and placement of key planted materials can help reduce irrigation requirements as well as reduce heating, cooling and energy needs through providing natural shade and cooling breezes |
|
|
post construction testing and maintenance – identify and develop the appropriate testing and maintenance plans to ensure once the structure is completed it is safe, healthy and performs as efficiently as designed |