According to Archiroots, a green education company focused primarily on the AEC community, “a green building, also known as a sustainable or eco-friendly building, is a structure designed and constructed with a focus on minimizing its environmental impact throughout its lifecycle” (Archiroots, 2024).
The introduction to green buildings came around the 1960s but was not taken seriously until the 1970s energy crisis. The crisis fueled the development of energy renewable resources, such as solar and wind energy, as well as more efficient building design and construction. Fast forward to the present, “buildings in the U.S. account for 40% of our energy use, 65% of waste output and 12% of our water use” (Green Building Alliance, 2024). With numbers like this, it’s clear that our earth cannot continue at this rate. Green, healthy high performing buildings offer a beneficial solution.
Cost vs. Benefit
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are three benefits to building green. The first benefit is environmental. Green buildings assist in improving air and water quality, enhancing and protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as conserving and restoring natural resources. Second, there are economic benefits. These include reductions in operation costs, shaping markets for green products/services and improving occupant productivity. The last benefit is social. This includes enhanced occupant comfort and health, larger aesthetic qualities and an over- all improved quality of life. Statistically speaking, green, healthy, high performing buildings are shown to “reduce energy by up to 50%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33%, reduce solid waste by up to 70% and reduce water use by 40%” (Green Building Alliance, 2024).
The real question is if green buildings cost more than traditional buildings. Per a report in Columbia Climate School’s “State of the Planet,” “While a green building has been found to cost about 2% more than a non-green building, energy savings alone help recoup the extra cost of the building in about six years” (“The How and Why of Green Building,” Renée Cho, 2016). In the short term, green buildings may cost more. Long term, however, they are designed to benefit the environment, economy and society and in time they will begin to save facilities money rather than owe in the future.
Green Rating Systems
The world’s first green building standard was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1990, followed by the establishment of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993. A couple years later, the USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. The rating systems include LEED for Building Design & Construction; LEED for Interior Design & Construction. LEED for Building Operations & Maintenance; LEED for Neighborhood Development; LEED for Homes; and LEED for Cities & Communities. Within each of the rating systems, projects must satisfy prerequisites and earn points. The number of points a project earns determines its certification. Certifications can range from certified all the way to platinum. Green Building Alliance shares the main credit categories are integrative process, location/transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy/atmosphere, materials/resources and indoor environmental quality. LEED provides a robust framework for facility and property managers to maintain green practices. There is a LEED for all building types and all building phases.
As mentioned, there are requirements facilities must follow to be LEED Certified. These can include using energy-efficient technology, such as automated lights, high-performance HVAC systems and efficient water fixtures. Green cleaning, which has also become an integral component for LEED certification, avoids the use of toxic chemicals to assist in indoor air quality and decrease exposure to harsh chemicals. It’s also a long-term solution for the environment and saving money.
Green buildings are the next step in environmental sustainability. This practice benefits the environment, the economy and our society. With green buildings, being backed by certification requirements such as LEED, they ensure a greener tomorrow.