Going All Green: Ecological Home Design
By Vincent E. O'Connell
There has recently been an increased awareness of the negative impacts our human society has on the earth's ecosystem. Global warming is now the reality that years ago could have been the topic of a science fiction movie. Escalating gas, electric and water bills are making ecologically sensitive design not only politically correct, but a necessity of the way we build and design. Clients today - when considering remodeling - want not only to increase the efficiency of their heating and cooling systems, but also to make their homes and offices healthier to live and work in. The demand for graduates of environmental architecture and design is growing as the pressures for development increases and environmental problems become more significant.
Green design can be attractive for both time and budget purposes. There has been some misconception that an eco-friendly design is more expensive; this is simply not the case. Recycled plastics and resins are taking the place of more expensive wood and stone products. Materials can be evaluated using several characteristics, such as durability, longevity, zero or low off-gassing of harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, and the use of local production sources. Regional materials also require less energy and resources to transport to a job site.
Most buildings can reach energy efficiency levels far beyond California Title 24, yet most only strive to meet the bare minimums. Utilization of natural light is a design strategy that can dramatically affect a building's energy performance by installing energy-efficient lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. This may include motion sensors tied to dimmable lighting controls. Designated task lighting can also help reduce the need for some general overhead light levels.
A green building may cost more up front, but over time it will save through lower operating cost. Some of the benefits, such as improving occupant health, comfort, productivity, and the reduction of pollution and landfill waste, are not easily quantified. Even with a tight budget, many green building measures can be incorporated with minimal or zero increased up-front costs and they can yield enormous savings.
When selecting a building site, consider taking advantage of areas close to mass transit if practical. The Fruitvale Transit Project in Oakland is a planning concept that uses a mass transit BART station as a building block for economic revitalization and environmental improvement. The focus of this project was to incorporate environmental principles into the planning and design of the village. The result has been helpful in reducing sprawl, traffic congestion and air pollution. The key to transit-oriented developments are the mixed use of land within pedestrian- friendly areas connected to transit. This system provides for growth with minimal environmental and social costs.
Another green-friendly practice when siting for construction is to protect and retain the existing landscape and natural features. Select plants for the landscape design that have low water and pesticide needs. Also important to consider is designing for optimal water efficiency. Designs can incorporate dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing or a gray water system that recovers rainwater or other irrigation. You can also install point-of-use hot water heating systems for more distant locations or use re-circulating systems for centralized hot water distribution.
One of the most difficult aspects of doing green design is getting others in the project to go along with you. Find green vendors with products and manufacturers that can meet your green criteria. Often smaller firms and custom manufacturers who are traditional builders may already have some eco-friendly practices in place, and/or may be more able to incorporate sustainable elements.
Green education can take many forms, from just talking to clients about green design solutions to discussing green design ideas with other team members. Also consider asking environmental consultants to conduct seminars with contractors and architects so that their carpenters and trades people might learn new, healthier and better ways of doing things.
June 2006 Builder Architect Edition Issue
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