Going Green into the 21st Century

When did this shift to green building technologies begin? We have the 20th century to thank for this new wave of green technology. However, the millennium didn’t start out in an eco-friendly way.

In the post-World War II era, many commercial and residential architects built elaborate and emblematic public icons. Some of these structures were designed to be extravagant, but not efficient or green.

By the turn of the 20^th century, building of the various forms of architecture accounted for:

• 16 percent of fresh water resources
• 50 percent of the planet’s raw materials
• Between 20 and 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions
• Between 30 and 40 percent of Earth’s energy supplies
• Between 40 and 50 percent of landfill waste

Building design needed to change for the sake of sustainability and the first major group to say as much were the youth movements of the 1960s. The now familiar urban and suburban jungles became the enemy as young eco-activists searched for ways to combat the dangerous trend of environmental strain. Some activists decided to build rural communes to reject the perils of current building design, but these communes failed to bring in, and support, a larger global economy. Thus, green design was born.

Basic Qualifications of Environmentally Responsible Structures and Buildings

By the 80s and 90s, these young eco-activists had formed environmental advocacy groups. With group memberships rising, residential and commercial building architects alike saw a significant milestone to achieve: the formation of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards. These standards dictate the build codes that qualify green buildings. There are five basic qualifications:

• Sustainable site development: Whenever possible, architects should reuse existing structures and/or preserve the natural environment. Extensive planning is typically involved, and roof gardens or earth shelters, are common features.
• Water conservation: Architects have many methods for achieving this goal. Two common ones are the recycling of previously used (gray) water and catching rainwater. Additionally, water usage is monitored.
• Energy efficiency: To increase efficiency, a commercial building architect might orient a building to take full advantage of the sun’s seasonal position or use diverse energy sources. Diverse energy sources vary depending on what is relevant to the region, but they may include water, wind, solar, geothermal or natural gas.
• Ideal materials: Ideal materials can be locally sourced, pose no danger to the environment, are recyclable, are made from recycled materials and don’t incorporate or release harmful chemicals.
• Indoor environmental quality: This category applies to more than internal ventilation systems. The space must allow occupants a sense of personal space, climate control and exclude toxic emissions.

Four Green Principles for Private Residences

While LEED principles apply to corporate or large residential communities, what green principles are most applicable to private homes?

Private residences can have four main green design essentials:

• Reuse materials: Recycled building materials are readily available from wholesale and consumer stores. Many of these materials have been salvaged from demolition sites and reworked to be usable again.
• Conserve energy: Preventing the loss of warm or cool air can minimize humidity problems and lower energy usage. Even upgrading window treatments can conserve energy.
• Use alternative energy sources: If possible, build your home with its own solar, wind or geothermal power supply. Some homes can either exist off the grid or feed excess energy back into it.
• Earth sheltering: Earth-sheltered or underground architecture can be a novel solution for residential architecture. Just five feet below the surface, the temperature is relatively constant, making a home’s climate control energy and cost efficient. Using the earth as a home’s insulation saves energy, protects the home, and lowers heating and cooling costs.

How Does Going Green Impact Costs?

Cost was once seen as a deterrent to green architecture because recycled materials and energy-efficient technology were too rare to make green building feasible. Just like cellphones and personal computers, green architecture has become consumer friendly in recent years. In a 2007 opinion survey, the public thought green buildings cost upwards of 17 percent more to build. However, the actual cost averaged at less than 2 percent for conventional buildings. 

The Green Premium: What Is for Show vs. What Is Worth the Money

Even a 2 percent increase in a project’s cost can cause a drastic change in your budget: but is the green premium worth it?

The return on investment (ROI) for current green buildings rests at around 19 percent, while future ROI is closer to 10 percent. Commercial or multiple occupancy residences can increase rent prices and expect lower vacancy rates due to their LEED qualifications.

This doesn’t mean you need to go out and immediately replace your roof with solar panels: green architecture isn’t just about finding renewable energy forms. Proper insulation and carefully chosen light bulbs reduce your energy consumption and minimize your building’s carbon footprint. In this sense, the subtle green upgrades can be more budget friendly.

With one eye towards sustainability and the other towards cutting operating costs, green architecture is as good for your budget as it is for the environment.
 
What’s your opinion: is green architect worth the cost?  Leave us a comment below.
 
If you want professional advice on your green architecture project, Bill Whittaker, Registered Architect (BWA) has years of experience working with green technologies in the Georgia and Alabama areas.