Nueva Vista, Santa Cruz, CA Bellevue Court, Trenton NJ

Green Building 101Presented By Walker Wells

Why Build Green?Why Build Green?

The construction and operation of The construction and operation of conventional buildings have numerous conventional buildings have numerous detrimental effects on the environment, detrimental effects on the environment, public health, and the economic stability of public health, and the economic stability of low-income communities.low-income communities.

40% of annual US energy use40% of annual US energy use

Air pollutionAir pollution

30% of US CO2 production30% of US CO2 production

Global warmingGlobal warming

25% of water use25% of water use

Water scarcityWater scarcity

30% of wood and raw materials

DeforestationDeforestation

Habitat lossHabitat loss

20% - 40% of solid waste

LandfillsLandfills

Paints, carpets, and adhesives off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most composite wood products contain formaldehyde.

Childhood asthma and Childhood asthma and other other respiratory respiratory ailmentsailments

Dioxin is created through manufacturing of many building materials.

Increasing rates of Increasing rates of cancercancer

Utility costs can be up to 25% of expenses after rent.

Greater potential for default Greater potential for default or eviction.or eviction.

Fewer funds available for Fewer funds available for education or education or health care.health care.

We can, and must, build better buildings.

Green building is a tool to help us.

What is Green Building?What is Green Building?Green buildingGreen building is a p is a processrocess that creates buildings that creates buildings and supporting infrastructure that:and supporting infrastructure that:

1) minimize the use of resources, 2) reduce harmful effects on the environment3) provide healthier environments for people.

GREEN BUILDING GREEN BUILDING COMPONENTSCOMPONENTS

SITE: site selection, bike storage, building orientation, landscaping, stormwater management, construction recycling.

WATER EFFICIENCY: efficient toilets and appliances, efficient irrigation, reclaimed/recylced water.

ENERGY/ATMOSPHERE: energy efficient envelope, systems,lighting and appliances, renewable energy, no HCFCs.

MATERIALS/RESOURCES: efficient building systems, reused, recycled-content, and rapidly renewable materials.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: avoid or eliminate VOCs, formaldehyde,and mold, natural ventilation, daylighting, thermal comfort,views, acoustics

What’s Driving Green Building?What’s Driving Green Building?

Changing Environmental Awareness

Generational Change

Technological Innovation

Popular Interest in Design

Financial Incentives

Marketing value of green

Policies and Regulation

Green Building Is a Green Building Is a Process!Process!

Foster design team collaborationFoster design team collaboration Conduct charrette early in design processConduct charrette early in design process Establish performance targetsEstablish performance targets Develop cost estimates throughout the Develop cost estimates throughout the

design processdesign process Maintain ongoing communication and Maintain ongoing communication and

feedback loopsfeedback loops

Green buildingGreen building is a p is a processrocess that creates buildings that creates buildings and supporting infrastructure that 1) reduces and supporting infrastructure that 1) reduces harmful effects on the environment, 2) minimizes harmful effects on the environment, 2) minimizes the use of resources, and 3) develops healthier the use of resources, and 3) develops healthier environments for people. environments for people.

Costs and

Financing

Design Process

Strategies, Technologies, Materials, and

Systems

Operations and

Maintenance

Planning(Owner, land use consult)

Conventional Design Process

Project Time Line

Schematic Design

(Architect)Design Development(Arch, Engin., Landscape)

Construction(Contractor, Owner, Arch.)

Beginning Middle End

-Linear and sequential

-Architect led

-Limited overlap/collaboration in work efforts

-Concepts often get lost between phases

Planning/ Entitlements

Schematic Design

Design Development

Constr.

Charrette

CD

Start earlyStart early Conduct charrette(s) to foster collaborateConduct charrette(s) to foster collaborate Carry concepts between development phasesCarry concepts between development phases Establish performance targetsEstablish performance targets Develop cost estimates throughout the design processDevelop cost estimates throughout the design process Establish communication structure and feedback loopsEstablish communication structure and feedback loops

Op.

Integrated Design Integrated Design ProcessProcess

Schematic Design Design Development

• At the Charrette: Determine project goals, select rating system, identify financing implications, choose specific strategies, assign responsibilities, and establish feedback

• After the Charrette: Follow up with research, cost analysis, and decision-making

Research Cost AnalysisY/N

Decisions

CD

Zoning/Massing

Gathering Spot

Diversity

Skills

CHARRETTE

Integrated Design Integrated Design ProcessProcess

Guidelines to Structure the ProcessGuidelines to Structure the Process

Tax Credit, Trust Fund, or Lender Criteria

•All stakeholders are involved • No single person or professional makes decisions about the project• You are asked to contribute to topics outside of your expertise• You are pushed out of your comfort zone • There is a spirit of creativity and fun• Clear goals and specific performance targets are established• Innovative solutions are encouraged• Everyone is interdependent, other people’s work depends on you• The steps in the process, responsibilities, and timeline are clear

You’re Doing Integrated Design When

Green StrategiesGreen Strategies

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Green Systems and Green Systems and MaterialsMaterials

Global

Green Building BenefitsGreen Building Benefits

ClimateChange/Forestry

Regional Benefit

Direct Benefit

Stormwater/RecylingEnergy and

Water Savings

Health/Durability

Costs of Green BuildingCosts of Green Building

Useful life -15 yrs

Payback - 5 yrs

Savings Period - 10 yrs

Initial Investment: $150Initial Investment: $150Payback Period: 5 yearsPayback Period: 5 yearsSavings period: 10 years Savings period: 10 years Total Period: 15 yearsTotal Period: 15 yearsTotal savings: $300Total savings: $300Annual savings: $20 Annual savings: $20

Annual ROI: 13%Annual ROI: 13%

Toilet water: $6/month averageToilet water: $6/month averageDual Flush Toilet: 40% less waterDual Flush Toilet: 40% less waterSavings: $2.50/monthSavings: $2.50/month

First costFirst cost: cost to purchase.: cost to purchase. Life cycle costLife cycle cost: costs plus savings for a product’s life: costs plus savings for a product’s life PaybackPayback: time needed to recoup additional first costs via : time needed to recoup additional first costs via

long-term savingslong-term savings Return on Investment (ROI)Return on Investment (ROI): overall return over time : overall return over time

allows for an “apples to apples” comparisonallows for an “apples to apples” comparison

Top 22 No/Low Cost Top 22 No/Low Cost Green Building Green Building

StrategiesStrategiesENERGYENERGY1. Maximize natural daylighting1. Maximize natural daylighting2. Place windows to provide good ventilation2. Place windows to provide good ventilation3. Select a light-colored “Cool Roof”3. Select a light-colored “Cool Roof”4. Provide overhangs on south facing windows4. Provide overhangs on south facing windows5. Plant trees proximate to east and west facades5. Plant trees proximate to east and west facades6. Install whole house fans or ceiling fans6. Install whole house fans or ceiling fans7. Eliminate air conditioning7. Eliminate air conditioning8. Use hydronic heating8. Use hydronic heating9. Install fluorescent lights9. Install fluorescent lights10. Install high R-value insulation10. Install high R-value insulation11. Install Energy Star appliances11. Install Energy Star appliances

WATERWATER12. Design water efficient landscapes12. Design water efficient landscapes

13. Install water efficient toilets and fixtures13. Install water efficient toilets and fixtures

14. Use permeable paving materials14. Use permeable paving materials

15. Install in-line flow restrictors15. Install in-line flow restrictors

MATERIALSMATERIALS16. Use 30-50% or flyash in concrete16. Use 30-50% or flyash in concrete

17. Use engineered wood17. Use engineered wood

18. Use recycled-content insulation, drywall,18. Use recycled-content insulation, drywall,

carpet, etc.carpet, etc.

Top 22 No/Low Cost Top 22 No/Low Cost Green Building Green Building

StrategiesStrategies

INDOOR AIR QUALITYINDOOR AIR QUALITY19. Use low- or no-VOC paint19. Use low- or no-VOC paint

20. Use formaldehyde-free or fully sealed 20. Use formaldehyde-free or fully sealed

material for cabinets and countersmaterial for cabinets and counters

21. Vent rangehood to the outside21. Vent rangehood to the outside

22. Install carbon monoxide detector22. Install carbon monoxide detector

Post-Construction: Prepare operation and Post-Construction: Prepare operation and

maintenance planmaintenance plan

Top 22 No/Low Cost Top 22 No/Low Cost Green Building Green Building

StrategiesStrategies

Why Green Affordable Why Green Affordable Housing?Housing?

Long-Term Ownership Supports a Life Cycle Long-Term Ownership Supports a Life Cycle Approach.Approach. Projects are typically owned and operated by the same organization Projects are typically owned and operated by the same organization for 15-55 years -- justifies medium to long payback periods.for 15-55 years -- justifies medium to long payback periods.

Dollar Savings Help Low-Income Families Most.Dollar Savings Help Low-Income Families Most. Utility costs can be 25% of expenses after rent. More than education Utility costs can be 25% of expenses after rent. More than education or health care.or health care.

Housing Should be Safe, Affordable and Housing Should be Safe, Affordable and HealthyHealthy.. Formaldehyde,volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold and other Formaldehyde,volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold and other indoor pollutants can impact children’s nervous and respiratory indoor pollutants can impact children’s nervous and respiratory systems and be a trigger for asthma.systems and be a trigger for asthma.

Affordable Housing is a Public AssetAffordable Housing is a Public Asset Approximately $500 million annually in Federal tax credits allocated Approximately $500 million annually in Federal tax credits allocated to housing and combined with state and local bonds, property tax set to housing and combined with state and local bonds, property tax set aside and other funds. It is critical that these assets are well-aside and other funds. It is critical that these assets are well-designed, not create an operation burden, and are long-lasting.designed, not create an operation burden, and are long-lasting.

Getting Started Getting Started Start with what interests you

Use available resources to guide you- Energy Star, local green building programs, LIHTC regs

Pick a manageable and achievable number of strategies, systems,or materials

Minimize additional costs through integrated design, rebates, and grants

Learn from experience - repeat what works, change what doesn’t

Add a few items to each new project

Step up to Green Communities Initiative or LEED for Homes

2218 Main Street2218 Main Street

Santa Monica, CA 90405Santa Monica, CA 90405

(310) 581-2700(310) 581-2700

www.globalgreen.orgwww.globalgreen.org

Walker Wells, AICPWalker Wells, AICP

RESCUE Program DirectorRESCUE Program Director

wwells@globalgreen.orgwwells@globalgreen.org