Green Design and Planning

Bird's-Eye View

Green homes do lots of things right
Natural light pours through a stairwell which also serves as a ventilation stack, keeping indoor air fresh and clean.

The building lot sets the stage for savings

Integrated designBuilding design in which different components of design, such as the building envelope, window placement and glazings, and mechanical systems are considered together. High-performance buildings and renovations can be created cost-effectively using integrated design, since higher costs one place can often be paid for through savings elsewhere, for example by improving the performance of the building envelope, the heating and cooling systems can be downsized, or even eliminated. teams look for opportunities to incorporate energy efficiency based on what nature can give them, but other opportunities typically appear as the job progresses.

Ratings are a scorecard, but they don't make it green

You don't need a green sealIndependent, nonprofit organization that certifies a variety of products as environmentally responsible based on established criteria. Certified products include coffee filters, air chillers, paints and coatings, papers and newsprint, various cleaning products and services, windows and doors, and lodging properties. of approval in order to build or remodel green. In fact, many builders of successful green homes don't bother enrolling the homes in a green rating program. However, most builders who use a rating system appreciate the marketing advantages of a green label. If the green rating program is well designed, it can also help designers and builders build better homes.

Job sites: leaner, cleaner, and greener

Green job sites generate less waste to begin with and incorporate recycling right into the work flow.

The end product—green homes—are healthy, efficient, affordable, and good-looking.

Key Materials

A fast foundation that's already insulated. Insulated concrete forms are a great choice for remodeling foundations because they're light, fast to set up and you don't have to strip the forms. Also, you use significantly less concrete.

Green Products and Materials

Green products don't make it green. But at some point, you need products and materials to build a house, so you might as well make wise choices.

Specifying products inevitably involves compromises. For example, builders interested in minimizing the use of materials made from petrochemicals may still choose to insulate a basement wall with rigid foam because of its excellent thermal performance and durability when installed below grade.

Similarly, choosing between 2x12 rafters from a local sawmill and I-joist rafters made in a distant factory requires weighing the advantages and disadvantages of local sourcing versus logging practices that make efficient use of small trees.

Design Notes

Sometimes design by committee really does make sense. When architect, general contractor, framer and home owner work together to solve problems, the results work.

Integrated Design

Integrated design is a collaborative approach that treats the group of people building a house as a team rather than as independent freelancers.

Anyone with experience in residential construction is familiar with examples of home designs that failed to consider the requirements of certain subcontractors. Classic examples include:

• mechanical rooms that are too small to accomodate the necessary equipment (or so small that, once installed, the equipment is so crowded that maintenance is almost impossible);
• designs without any provision for the location of ductwork (for example, structural beams that interrupt joist bays where ducts might logically be located).

Bringing trade contractors into the design process is an excellent example of integrated design. Done well, the integrated design process results in a better house.

Job Sites

Clearly marked barrels make recycling easier.
Keeping job sites tidy is great marketing, customer service, and makes the work flow go smoother. Getting barrels with wheels on them makes it easier for folks to move them around when necessary.

A green job site

A truly green job site requires the application of integrated designBuilding design in which different components of design, such as the building envelope, window placement and glazings, and mechanical systems are considered together. High-performance buildings and renovations can be created cost-effectively using integrated design, since higher costs one place can often be paid for through savings elsewhere, for example by improving the performance of the building envelope, the heating and cooling systems can be downsized, or even eliminated. principles at every phase of construction, so that all trades work together to acheive a common goal. That goal should include minimizing job-site waste. Reducing potential waste and recycling as much as possible helps lower costs and reduce the environmental impact of construction.

Resource Savings

Save on materials, save on trash hauling.
Not only is using less wood good for the trees that provide the wood, but it's good for your bottom line.

Using less wood and other building materials is good for everyone

Resource efficiency includes minimizing the use of materials and minimizing waste during construction. It also requires the design of a house that uses minimal amounts of energy and water.

Perhaps the easiest way to accomplish all of these goals is to build as small a house as possible.