Today's Green Building: A New Spin on Good Old Common Sense

Long ago, we used our intellect to create shelters out of our surroundings. We were connected to the land that we lived on, took only what we needed and moved on to "greener pastures" when weather or a lack of resources dictated. Back then, we taught our children skills of self-sufficiency and survival.
Once we settled down and became skilled at building permanent structures, the timber for framing came from the trees on the lot, we built close to the road and we oriented to the south for natural day lighting and ventilation. We built houses that lasted a century or more, and every room was used every day.

Today, the average size of our homes—often built using virgin materials that are shipped thousands of miles—has more than doubled since 1950, while our family size has decreased by one-fourth. We use building materials that contain toxins and carcinogens (as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that are emitted into the air inside our homes for years after their installation.

Enter green building. The concept grew from the geodesic and solar days of the 70s and 80s when engineers, builders and architects sought out environmentally friendly solutions to an energy shortage (sound familiar?). As they built south-facing structures to take advantage of natural day lighting and improve the performance of solar systems, they broadened their focus as they realized there were a lot of ways to improve the way we build.

Today, LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design)—the rating system established by the US Green Building Council—provides education, guidance and accreditation. Clean energy technology is more affordable and practical than ever before, builders are becoming skilled in the green building arts and there are a host of great looking and eco-friendly products to choose from.

But before we go out and gut our kitchen or tear down our house to build a green one, we must consider the steps we can take to get back to the basics of smaller, smarter and sounder. By understanding that reusing, re-purposing and recycling are all important considerations before buying new, we can be sure to lessen our impact on the planet, and not just replace old problems with new ones.

Given that according to the USGBC, buildings account for 38 percent of our country's CO2 emissions—more than the transportation or industry sectors—a turn-on-a-dime adoption of green building practices is essential.

Comments

[Miles Shapiro]

I am delighted you have touched upon some of the basic issues regarding green building, but the topic is more vast, more important, and perhaps more hopeful than any other "green" angle out there. The reason I say that is "green" building, if done properly, should prove a financial boon to builders, investors, and home owners. I am all for saving the planet. But the truth is, and I used this line when talking to someone last night after last night's one woman show, "The Boycott," I can sell "green" building, but I cannot sell morality. Meaning: it is flat out cost effective to build green. Note, I am not saying it is a good thing, or a nice thing, or a moral thing. Rather, it will put money in your pocket, and you can be a homeowner, a builder, a developer, etc... .

But the truth is being hidden. The overwhelming assumption is building green blows up costs to 25, 50, 100% more than what normal construction costs. Not true. The real number, even in the most elaborate of "green" buildings, is under 10%, closer to 5%. However, that 5% can be mitigated in various forms, some being grants, some being cost savings. Any way you look at it, that 5%, in both the short term and the long term crawls its way back into your pocket.

BUT, and this is important, those who exploit the GREEN label for their own financial gain, beware. First, there is another level of flames in Dante's Inferno created just for you, heated by solar energy. Second, when you get found out, your business will disappear immediately. This is neither trick nor fad. No, the sustainable energy source is the saviour of the construction industry, and get this, the home mortgage industry.

Unfortunately, both industries are completely unaware of how they are to be saved. To quote Ron Weezly in the 7th Harry Potter book, "It is a little pathetic, really."

Miles Shapiro
Eco Building Technologies