About Green Building
This means that instead of the sequential process we traditionally use, that is, an owner goes to an architect or designer, designs a building, and passes it down the line. Engineer’s, tend to over compensate, contractors knowingly build inappropriate structures, owners assume the cost of un-necessary long term maintenance, building systems consume more than needed. The entire antiquated process often results in “sick building syndrome” and an un-healthy environment to live.
Integrated design means that early in the design process there is a meeting of the minds for all parties involved, through the construction process and beyond. This is called a “design charrette”. It can be a conference for one day including owners, occupants, architects, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, maintenance personnel and more. Everyone gets an opportunity to input the idea of what would make a better, user-friendlier building. Information extrapolated by the design team guides them toward the most appropriate application. All trades involved have a clear, concise direction before they get started, actually making their job easier. With the ability to trouble shoot in the beginning, it removes the need to adapt and overcome, later on site. Systems will be made smaller and consume less resulting in real payback. The idea of integrated design is just better building process.
In the construction industry today, only a very small segment is employing these practices. It is the wave of the future. A major paridyme shift is already under way. Presently every new federal government, building project meets LEED certification. It will soon extend as law to the population.
Green building does not cost more.
When we compare conventional building supplies and techniques such as this 2x4 to that 2x4, green building is more expensive. Integrated design allows for new ideas and directions. Instead of using 2x4’s we may use SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels) overall costing less by volume, made of recycled materials. Or the interior drywall, tape, bed, texture, and paint process will be replaced by a much less expensive drywall, tape and natural clay finish, which carries more thermal mass and will reduce strain on the mechanical systems. Regional materials will play a large part as transportation costs rise. In the high country of Colorado, we have an abundance of beetle-kill lodge pole pine. It will be our renewable resource for the foreseeable future. Renewable energies add a whole new way to look at energy cost. Utilizing wind, solar, and geothermal will pay the owner back and more. With well comissioned mechanical systems, there are no energy bills. The power companies pay you. Integrated design uses a front loaded design process. A larger amount is used in the design process in order to achieve a more affordable outcome.
Although the infrastructure is still in the early stages, it is growing all the time. The up front cost of renewable energies and green materials will come down as infrastructure grows and oil based products get more expensive.
The opportunities are vast in this next era of the “Environmental Age”.