Sustainable building design with GreenWise™ solutions.

One of the buzz words that has emanated from the new global environmental initiative is “sustainability,” and while many are promoting it, few truly understand what it means. In the context of building design, sustainability seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of energy, space and materials. Simply put, sustainable building design involves saving energy, using space efficiently and reducing waste over the lifecycle of a building. 

Energy Savings

Energy savings can be accomplished in many ways, including deploying renewable energy sources like solar and wind power; shifting to energy efficient equipment like ENERGY STAR computers and electronics; implementing of design strategies that reduce dependence on air conditioning or other power- hungry systems; relying more on natural lighting; and simply turning off lights when not in use. Optimizing energy performance and savings is one of the most significant categories under the LEED certification program, and many solutions are available to help reach that objective. 

Space Efficiency

Space efficiency has become a key component in sustainable building design. For LEED certification, architects strive to maximize interior daylighting through the introduction of daylight and views into occupied areas of a building. This requires an open floor plan to avoid blocking areas off from exterior windows. In fact, the LEED rating system for new construction provides points for maintaining a direct line of sight to the outdoor environment in either 75% or 90% of occupied areas. The use of a raised-floor system can also improve space efficiency by supporting more efficient underfloor systems and reducing overall building height.

Waste Reduction

Reducing waste during construction or over a building’s lifecycle directly minimizes the negative environmental impact of a building. Any product that is reusable and reconfigurable contributes to waste reduction because less material is required to upgrade or reconfigure to accommodate future changes. It is also important that building products match the lifecycle of a building to avoid frequent replacement. This helps reduce the demand for virgin materials associated with the replacement products and reduces the waste associated with disposal of the products being replaced. As a result, product quality and longevity is gaining importance among those designing sustainable buildings, and owners are now more willing to invest in products that provide these benefits.