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Building Green in a Black and White World-- Chapter 4

The following is an exerpt from the book Building Green in a Black and White World. Section 2; Chapter 4; Part 3; Design

David Ritchey Johnston
January 1, 1900
HousingZone

Design

Design is a key element in creating a successful green home. And since design can have such an impact on the cost of the project, it is important to look closely at the entire design process. The American Institute of Architects has taken a strong position on sustainable design. Its Committee on the Environment (COTE) has become one of the leading organizations in the country promoting green building. Whether design is done in-house or by an architectural firm, an integrated design approach not only saves money in construction costs but creates a better, more integrated final product.

-------An Integrated Approach--------
to Sustainable Design

An effective green building is a solution greater than the sum of its parts.

McStain Enterprises has included the following in their mission statement: "Design and build visionary communities that integrate the aesthetic, physical, and emotional needs of our customers." For McStain, a new home or development is always connected to the rest of the community. Addressing transportation and utility infrastructure when siting homes, for example, can save the community money and ease the long-term burden of new development. Green buildings increase environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life when all the important issues are considered in concert with one another.

Successful green buildings are systems of integrated processes and products. A green building strives for the best integration of planning, sustainable actions, and technologies. This integrated approach increases the efficiency of the building and helps reduce overall costs by bringing together the experts in each of the systems early in the design process. But it can also be a challenge since building design is so often fragmented among the team of architects, builders, interior designers, mechanical contractors, and the trades.

-------Key Principles of--------
to Sustainable Design

The following principles have been heralded by the design community and have become the foundation for billion-dollar company CEOs like Ray Anderson of Interface Carpet of North Carolina. These principles can stimulate your thinking about sustainability as you consider the design of new projects. Even if you choose only two or three, you will be thinking in systems that will benefit your community

"Hannover Principles" or "Bill of Rights for the Planet"

Developed by William McDonough Architects of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Insist on the right of humanity and nature to coexist in a healthy, supportive, diverse, and sustainable condition.
Recognize interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend on the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects.
Respect relationships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry, and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness.
Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to coexist.
Create safe objects of long-term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance or vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creation of products, processes, or standards.
Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste.
Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate this energy efficiently and safely for responsible use.
Understand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever, and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled.
Seek constant improvements by sharing knowledge. Encourage direct and open communication between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers, and users to link long-term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility, and reestablish the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.