is all too common today. Whole
buildings can be constructed in such a way that they can
essentially be disassembled. Structural, mechanical and
other systems are designed with this future in mind.
Systems furniture (those cubicles of various shapes and
sizes that dominate office environments around the world) is
geared toward this end. They tend not to wear out so much
as “ugly out” so they are designed to be
refurbished, recycled or otherwise rearranged to serve a
renewed purpose. Similarly, it has become common in the
green world for office buildings (even speculative projects) to
be built with raised access floors to more effectively allow
for the churn that is endemic to this sector, electrical,
communications and even air delivery systems need to be altered
regularly (especially in leased spaces) and can be designed
with a sort of “plug and play” mentality.
Compared with the more conventional approach whereby
buildings are gutted and the material is sent to the landfill,
this approach yields significant bottom-line savings both
economically and ecologically.
DRIVERS IN THE MOVEMENT
The momentum within the current
environmental building movement can largely be attributed to
the work of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Over the
past decade, the Washington DC based nonprofit organization has
become the point source for education and advocacy across the
nation and, less than two years ago, helped initiate the
international version, the World Green Building Council.
The USGBC comprises a coalition of leaders representing a
cross section of the whole building industry whose mission is
to “promote buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and
work.” Forging strategic alliances throughout
industry and at all levels of government, their efforts are
consensus oriented, member driven and committee based.
Aside from staging workshops regularly across the country
as well as an annual conference and expo, the USGBC launched in
1998, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
rating system. A voluntary program that is now largely
considered the gold standard around the industry, LEED was
developed by the USGBC to provide a measuring stick for
defining “green” buildings. With areas of
evaluation that cover site development, water efficiency,
energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor
environmental quality, and innovation and design process, LEED
connects performance standards with
quantifiable results that will benefit
building owners and occupants over the long term. The
surge within this movement, especially with respect to LEED
itself, has been impressive. Founded in San Francisco in
1993, the USGBC has seen its growth skyrocket from a little
over 100 members in 1999 to currently over 3,500 member
organizations representing a broad spectrum: architects,
building owners, designers, education institutions, engineers,
environmental nonprofits, general contractors, government
agencies, product and system manufacturers, nonprofits, real
estate developers, subcontractors, urban planners and
utilities. When initiated in its pilot stage, LEED
covered only new buildings. Points are awarded based on
achieving certain benchmarks within the evaluation areas
mentioned previously. Depending on the outcome, a
certification can be granted at one of four levels: basic,
silver, gold and platinum. There are currently over 100
certified projects (though only six have attained platinum
level) across the country and even more in the certification
pipeline. This number grows daily and will only increase
further as the LEED system evolves. No longer is this
rating system limited to new construction. With several
versions currently in pilot phase, LEED will ultimately
encompass the entire range of project categories: new
construction and renovations, existing buildings, commercial
interiors, core and shell (geared toward developers),
neighborhood developments and homes. Furthermore, to
reinforce LEED’s power and reach, and to serve as the
centerpiece of its education program, the USGBC launched its
accreditation program in 2001. Any individual associated
with or employed by a member organization can become a LEED
Accredited Professional by taking a proctored exam to test
their familiarity with “green” design and building
as well as their in depth knowledge of the LEED Rating System.
Other similar efforts are being undertaken
by the government sector at all levels to demonstrate the value
and commitment to the technologies and practice of green
building. At the federal level, the Department of Energy (DOE)
leads the charge. Teaming with the EPA, its Energy Star
program aims to reduce energy consumption in buildings, both in
terms of installed equipment as well as the building itself,
commercial buildings and homes can qualify as Energy Star
rated, based on the savings they offer.