Go Green
The impact of a building's construction is only part of the story. Once a building is built, people move in and use it. This human use requires environmental resources for such things as heating, cooling, water, and electricity. A 'green' building provides these human needs efficiently, conserving resources.
Thinking green means being aware of our interconnectedness with the world and reflecting on the unintended damage we cause nature in the daily course of our lives. Thinking green leads to acting green - taking corrective action to make environmental responsibility a reality.
When it comes to a new home, Green is not just the right thing to do, it is the Smart thing to do. Both for the people who build the homes and those who live in them! It means focusing on creating a healthy indoor environment inside buildings. It makes sense to focus on improving the mass-produced materials that predominate in modern construction.
It's also about eschewing mass-produced components and centralized systems altogether in favor of site-harvested resources, including building materials, electricity, water, and food.
'Green Building' centers on the concept of 'sustainability: the simple notion that the way of life we choose must not lead to circumstances that prevent that way of life from continuing. In order to create a building to serve that end, some basic traits need to be considered:
Complete Article and Images are available in Building Giants Nov 2011 Issue
