As the 21st Century rolls forward, understanding that sustainability is our main mission as a species, green building and leaders in the construction industry have educated themselves in what it will take to build a future.

One area where this is most dramatically demonstrated is in the halls of higher education in general. It has been American institutions of learning that have played a major part in leading the nation toward smarter, and more inexpensive, ways to build large scale buildings, keep them heated and cooled efficiently, and providing an architectural legacy while they’re at it .

Writer and green building expert Elizabeth Demcsak talks about 5 such buildings that are a part of 5 different colleges across the country, and how green building and LEED certification is more than a fad, but is the future.

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I’ll admit it: when I first heard about green building, I was skeptical.

Building with recycled materials and green roofs just seemed like fads, while the LEED system, a certification system for sustainable buildings, seemed arbitrary and bureaucratic. But after I took a tour of the SKANSKA office in the Empire State Tower, which is applying for LEED Platinum certification (the top rating) — I changed my tune.

It turns out the LEED system awards points for things I associate quite closely to quality of life issues: being able to open one’s window (more sustainable than using the AC); being able to turn down the AC (goes without saying); getting more natural light (means less artificial light). Besides being newer, cooler, and better for the planet, LEED-certified buildings are just more pleasant to spend time in.

With more and more colleges across the country scrambling to become sustainable, which of them have the most eco-friendly — and student-friendly — buildings?

1.UT Dallas — Student Services Building

Photo: Wikipedia

UT Dallas’s Student Services Building (SSB) was awarded LEED Platinum in 2011, making it the first academic structure to get the highest LEED certification. Along with solar panels that are used for water heating, recycled and regional materials, the SSB features a lighting system that automatically adjusts to the conditions — so daylight can be used as lighting, but doesn’t overheat the inside.

2.Yale — Kroon Hall

Photo: CanWeBowlPlease

Appropriately enough, Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies is housed in LEED Platinum certified building, Kroon Hall. The architects responded to the challenge of integrating this modern building into the rest of Yale’s neo-gothic campus by giving it a gently sloping roof and using similar materials, while integrating a number of green features. Bike commuting is encouraged through an abundance of accessible bike parking, lockers and showers.

Moreover, two screens in the building lobby allow visitors to monitor the building’s energy usage, which hovers at nearly 60% less than neighboring structures. The top floor offers flexible space that can be rearranged according to the need. But really, Kroon Hall increases quality of life simply by virtue of what it replaced: a brownfield site home to a power plant.

3. University of Washington — Paccar Hall

Photo: Camknows

Actually, it’d be too much to list all of UW’s best LEED buildings: since 2006, every campus building has gotten LEED certification, one of the reasons Sierra picked it as its top “Cool School” in 2011. But Paccar Hall, which houses the Foster School of Business, can be representative: 96% of construction waste was recycled, a green roof deck can be enjoyed by the community, and there’s even an electric vehicle plug-in station.

4. Stanford — Global Ecology Research Center

Photo: Inhabitat

The Global Ecology Research Center isn’t officially LEED certified, but it was one of the American Institute of Architects’  Top 10 Green Projects in 2007. The exterior is made of recycled redwood from 100-year-old wine casks, old doors were reused for furniture,  and native plants reduce water use. The building even has a windcatcher, a traditional tower designed to ventilate buildings, to make sure cooling needs stay absolutely minimal.

5. Oberlin — Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies — 2000

Photo: Zelda Go Wild

Oberlin consistently tops lists as an eco-friendly school with the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies as one of its flagship projects. Solar arrays line the roof and the parking lot and the cooling system includes windows which automatically open when it gets too hot. But alongside all the other eco-features, the building is above all a teaching project: its website lets visitors monitor energy usage.

Looking at these buildings, which are just the tip of the iceberg, it’s clear my hesitancy towards sustainable building was unwarranted. After all, recycled materials, more daylight, native plants, exotic architectural details: green building might be good for the planet, but it’s definitely good for me.

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Elizabeth Demcsak is a marketing specialist for a variety of clients including JW Surety Bonds. She writes on a diverse number of construction-related topics ranging from contractor bonds requirements to eco-friendly innovations. 

Green architecture combines building science with green design methods. It works with nature, and it’s not new. Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes that blended with the surrounding area, creating a harmony between man and nature often described as “organic.”

Photo: Pablo Sanchez

Strategies for Green Building

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is committed to reducing the need for fossil fuels. They offer 50 strategies for reducing a building’s carbon emissions by 50%. Their strategies, called 50to50, offer strategies including:

• eco-friendly building methods and materials
• HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)
• site planning
• building orientation
• windows
• landscaping
• building life cycle assessment
• preservation and reuse
• systems

The advent of green building brings the need for green architects, designers and interior designers. These industries will need to stay competitive. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts job growth will be 16%  for architects  and 19% for interior designers between 2008- 2018.

How to Become a Green Architect

Becoming an architect requires a formal education of about six years, an internship of about three years, and licensing, which requires passing the ARE (Architect Registration Exam). Most college programs now include sustainability courses. Once licensed, an architect can take more courses through the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. LEED is an internationally recognized green certification.

The LEED AP course of study includes a similar plan as the AIA’s 50to50 and includes:

• sustainable sites
• water efficiency
• energy
• materials
• indoor air quality

Anyone in the building industry would be wise to attain LEED certification. LEED AP architects will be in high demand, and the same holds true for interior designers.

Photo: Mike Gifford

How to Become a Green Interior Designer

An interior design career starts with formal training, which must be accredited by CIDA, The Council for Interior Design Accreditation. There are Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees, but I have been told a Bachelor’s is preferred. School is followed by a 1-3 year apprenticeship.

The next step is to garner at least 6 years of combined education and work experience, then pass the exam administered by the NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification).  As in architecture, interior designers would be wise to take more courses to be LEED certified following licensing. Designers with green backgrounds are in high demand.

My mother was an interior decorator, but she was also an interior designer. She was very creative with fabrics, colors, textiles, art and furniture placement but she also knew how to design an entire home. She and my dad designed the two homes they built, which were very functional with practical floor plans and ease of use for occupants. That’s what today’s interior designers do – they work with architects and contractors to help build the space they then decorate.

Photo: Jerome d'Almeida

All interior design programs teach sustainability. It is possible to make residential, commercial, health care and hospitality buildings healthier with eco-friendly textiles, carpets, paint and furniture. The general public is becoming aware of the hazards of materials with chemicals like formaldehyde in them. Interior designers know where to source non-toxic materials. They can also find components that are recycled, woods that are sustainably harvested, and materials with a low-embodied energy.

Residential design includes additions and remodeling. In this economy, homeowners are remodeling instead of selling and moving. Kitchen and bath remodeling is very common in homes.

Every interior designer I have spoken to says health care is a huge field. They design hospital rooms, lobbies and clinics, as well as nursing homes and assisted living for our ever-increasing, aging population. Non-toxic materials are crucial to good health. Think how good you could feel knowing you have created a healthy space for an aging couple or someone in the hospital!

ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers, has plenty of information about training, job opportunities and continuing education.

As the construction industry struggles to get back on its feet, it’s time to think about careers like these. When housing gets back to normal, green architects and interior designers will be in high demand. Be prepared!

Besides my enjoyment of the city, the idea of restoration and the energy and resources it takes got me thinking.

In this 21st Century ,which is characterized by a need to ensure the future as well as celebrate the past, how does historical restoration of buildings and the principles of green building and sustainability converge?  What lessons can be found in projects which concerns itself with the past, while also using modern technology and approach to allow that past to be preserved in the future?

Some of the conversation that came out of our recent post, 10 Essentials of Green Cities, had to do with this aspect of the life of a city; it’s growth, and it’s history.  Like the natural world, cities have a life of their own that feed the lives of those who live in them.  Historical sites are rightly treasured for these reasons.  And for centuries, the impulse to preserve history has been a global phenomenon as much as new technologies and new ways of integrating them have been when revitalizing cities to suit modern times.

There is a strange irony at work here, that in preserving the history of buildings which were made in times when industrialization was not even conceived of, or was at most the gleam in the eye, restoration projects are re-thinking those methods which were once viewed as modern, and even progressive.  But, there is a newer definition of ‘progressive’ to consider. And it has something to do with bringing the principles of the past into a future where sites are thought of as much for architecture as they are for the natural environment on which that architecture stands.

Parliament building in Victoria BC.

Buildings make up for a considerable chunk of our carbon footprint as a civilization.  In the light of this, there is a view, and a compelling one, that suggests that the preservation of buildings is the more important pursuit than the design and construction of new buildings.  This is an enormous discussion, with a number of elements that affect the outcome.

But, in the light of this, it seems to me that both pursuits – preservation of the old, and innovation to inform the design of the new –  make sense in our current paradigm. What can be immediately agreed upon is that the consideration of environmental impact in either case is not only a social imperative, it is in keeping with the way that good design seems to dictate, to wit; creating buildings that are easier and less expensive to maintain, to heat, and that are more comfortable.

And from here,  let’s get back to the idea of revising what the term ‘progress’ means when it comes to design and construction.  After all, building techniques and the designs of the past did without the gargantuan power requirements of today.  The use of natural insulation, heating, natural light, and the use of natural airflow were all a part of how buildings were designed in centuries past.  They had to be.

So, maybe there is more to the restoration of buildings when it comes to green building and sustainability that goes beyond creating fewer buildings by maintaining the old. Maybe the past has something to teach us about design, too.

For more information about historical restoration policies in the light of sustainability, check out the National Trust For Historical Preservation, a restoration body founded in the U.S in 1949 after President Harry S. Truman passed legislation to create it.

Also, investigate some of the green restoration projects undertaken by Britain’s National Trust, a body that was established to preserve British historical sites of all kinds, but with a current agenda to preserve that history for future generations in a sustainable way.

And finally, to read more about the relationship between restoration and sustainability, peruse this PDF about historic preservation and green building from preservationnation.org.

Cheers!

Rob.

Above image of Fisgard Lighthouse in Victoria, British Columbia (built in 1860, and still operational today…) courtesy of Brandon Godfrey.  The one of the parliament buildings in Victoria – well, I took that one!

Photo courtesy of DariusZ

Traditionally, the Northern Voice conference has been held at the University of British Columbia in the Forestry Sciences building.  But, with attendance soaring this year (surely a sign that social media and this thing we call blogging is really beginning to fly…), the setting of the conference was shifted to the newer, and much bigger Life Sciences Building.

Having contributed to this blog for over a year now (!), one of the first things I noticed upon reading about the building is that it’s been LEED gold certified.  And the second was that just being there really enhanced my experience at the conference.  But how? Well, let me tell you …The Life Sciences Building is one of the largest on campus. The building itself is multi-storied and multi-purposed, with labs, lecture halls, and theaters specifically designed for life sciences disciplines. Commissioned by the UBC Properties Trust, architects were engaged to create a space that met the practical requirements of the space, keeping within the contraints of a tight budget, while also meeting the mandate for sustainability.  Of the many sustainability features in the building, a few of the most noticeable are:

• use of natural light for lighting and warmth to reduce energy consumption
• no-water urinals
• insulated cladding over masonry walls to retain heat

The UBC Properties trust has sought to move the campus from being commuter-focused to community focused, utilizing the principles of sustainability and green building to help develop the area as a place to live, to work, and to raise a family.  This community-building idea, and making use of the latest technology to achieve sustainability made me think that the mandates of our Northern Voice conference, and that of the UBC Trust are the same, to wit: building community through technology and innovative thinking.

Photo courtesy of Jeanette Kramer

Green building technology and approach is used as a means of creating a physical space that is welcoming as well as being 0ne that makes the best use of physical placement and natural light.  The building is a monument to the idea of innovation put into practice to benefit the community of students, faculty, and conference-goers, too. How appropriate  that the 2010 Northern Voice Conference should be hosted here, themed as it is on community building in online spaces.

This idea of community building, and green building being represented all in one space was a powerful addition to how I processed a lot of the content at the conference.  I liked the idea that we were discussing new and innovative ways of telling stories, sharing information, and moving forward-thinking to the mainstream, while located in a LEED-gold certified building.

The two ideas of building physical spaces that support the needs of the surrounding community sustainably dovetail nicely with doing the same online through blogs, through podcasts, through social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.  To me, what’s really the common denominator is the future, and ensuring that awareness for the health of our environment and our relationships with each other within it are recognized as being vital to our quality of life.

To discover more about how UBC has committed to green building, investigate the UBC campus sustainability green buildings page.

To view more pictures of the Life Sciences Building, and some of the people who attended the Northern Voice Conference this year, check out the Northern Voice Photo Pool on Flickr.

Also, to find out more about the building itself, find out how architects designed the Life Sciences Building.

Cheers!

Rob.

One such building of course is the Royal residence in the Capitol, the venerable Buckingham Palace.  What a grand building!  And located right at the end of what I can only guess is the straightest road in London – The Mall (pronounced MAL, not “maul”) – and quite a pleasant site to see after a leisurely walk through St. James Park.   The palace was built in 1703 by the Duke of Buckingham and acquired by King George III in 1761.  Since then, it has seen monarchs come and go, and was even bombed no less than seven times during the Blitz in World War II.   It is  an iconic building, a symbol of the British Monarchy.

But, it may be one of the least ‘green’ buildings in London.

This is according to many sources, including publications in mainstream news as well as environmental publications.  The problem is largely about poor insulation and the resulting excessive heat leakage in Buckingham Palace.  Acording to Treehugger 2.2 million pounds sterling is spent annually on utility bills, which is over $4 million dollars, roughly. That’s a pretty hefty burden, not only financially, but on the resources it draws upon.

All of this gets me thinking about history, the preservation of traditions, and the forging of new traditions.  I think that there is often a dichotomy that dictates that old traditions must die to make way for the new. And in some cases, this is true, as attitudes and priorities of a culture begin to change, often in conjunction with the rise of new technologies.  In the case of Buckingham Palace, and with many other buildings like it all over the world, the building symbolize a rich history.  The beauty and cultural importance of it remains undiminished.  But, this building needs to be brought up to speed in order to have a life in a newly imagined future.  This is where old and new meet in order to be as much a part of the future as it is in a glorified past.  This trend is as much a part of history as anything.

Steps are being made to make sure that old traditions of grandiose architecture, and the new traditions of sustainability will meet.   A recent accessment of Buckingham Palace by Atkins engineering and design group consultants Faithful and Gould has shown that an update to the palace’s insulation can improve the heat leakage problem by as much as 90%, at a cost of $320 million.  A good deal of this would be in the replacement of single-glazed windows (760 of them!),  modern heat-recovery systems, and grey and rainwater harvesting systems.

The majesty of the building itself is preserved for all time, potentially extended by the implementation and use of new technologies that make it as ‘smart’ as it is beautiful.  And in this new age of sustainability, the possibilities for generations upon generations to reflect on the history for which it stands is wide open in the 21st century and onward.

We are amused.

Cheers!

Rob.

Well, not only is this true in the world of sports and the performing arts,  it’s also true of architecture and design as it pertains to green building.  Maybe this is not such as surprise, given that many technologies surrounding green building has sprung as much from a pioneering spirit as it has from the practical skills of designers and engineers all over the world.

There have been a number of high profile competitions, extended to young professionals in the fields of architecture and related fields, as well as to students, some of whom have made such competitions the focus of their studies.  One such competition is the USGBC Natural Talent Design Competition, a six year old event that draws entrants from all over the world.  The next event is due November 11-13, 2009.

Another event which similarly draws the best in green building innovation is the ASHRAE Design Competition, a LEED-focused competition which underscores the importance of integration into modern design, and not slavish ‘point chasing’ when it comes to LEED standards.

I think this last idea marks an important aspect to these kinds of competitions; the requirement for real-world transformation when it comes to planning, and building for this next century and beyond.  It is well understood that at some point in our evolution in the building industry that the training wheels have to come off.

Right at the moment, we need guidelines like LEED to map out what defines greater efficiency and sustainability.  But, the popularity of green building competitions to me are indicator that the industry is ramping up for a time when we don’t even have to think about how to make each building project an efficient one. It will be common practice to take the environment into account when embarking on any project.

The goal is all about integration, not only as it relates to resources, but also in terms of the way designers think about designing.  And encouraging young up-and-coming designers by engaging their competitive spirits is not only prudent, it’s kind of fun, too.

Cheers,

Rob.

For instance,  rooftop gardens, rainwater used as ‘grey water’ in toilets, skylights that bolter natural daylight, and glass layers that acts as insulation are built right into the design.   One innovation I’d never heard of before has to do with the elevators, which upon their descent generate electricity that feed back into building’s main supply.  Incredible.

NZI Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. Image courtesy of craigsydnz. Click on image to view full Flickr stream.

I’ve read a number of articles which talk about green building at the design level, and I always find them to be encouraging.  The approach of the new breed of architect seems to be centered around the most creative ways to achieve sustainability of resources, and environmental sensitivity.

But, another part of my mind just feels that this is just common sense to consider these things and design against them.  Considering them to be something of a spectacle and exception to the rule is a sign of our times.

I like to think that within the next few years, all buildings will be designed with this technology in mind.  This is not just because I think the issues of sustainability is important.  But, also because it seems to be to be the rational thing to do.

I mean, if elevators can generate some electricity as they’re operating, then why shouldn’t they be incorporated in every design?  If you can plan for rooftop gardens, rainwater filtration systems for toilets, skylights to reduce the need for lighting, and glass insulation to regulate interior temperature, then why wouldn’t you want that as a part of a building’s deign?  This is not just innovation for its own sake.  It’s innovation that enables common sense.

The costs of the technology and the savings that companies and homeowners can enjoy with reduced heating and water bills are being brought into balance.  It seems to me that the evolution of green building is drawing the building and design industries into a space where the innovation of this kind won’t be news anymore.  It will be the way it is, because it makes the most sense.

Cheers,

Rob.