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Ecologically sustainable:
Green design can bring beautiful changes
by Roger Faris
When Tom Kayser spoke to a group of people interested in ecologically sustainable design and construction, he paced back and forth like a tiger in a cage. He described several essential principles, and provided examples of how our choices and habits affect energy use, economic health, the environment and people. He growled at standard practices which contribute to waste and pollution, and at fashions which promote over consumption. As an architect and builder who has been chewing on these issues for nearly twenty years, Tom is frustrated by the glacial pace of progress.
The point of green design and building is to make every reasonable effort to create healthy and pleasant places to live and work, while preserving resources and the environment. The first requirement is to care about coming generations, and pay attention to the future health of our communities.
Caring and paying attention are important, but to make progress toward the goal of leaving a better legacy we also need sources of practical information and ways to share useful experiences. The Northwest Ecobuilding Guild was formed to meet that need. Through meetings, events, and the journal EcoBuilding Times , the members of this group and other contributors explore and debate complicated issues. They look closely at design ideas, products, materials, and responsible building practices.
An important principle of green design is to focus on products and practices which are energy and resource efficient. Even obvious steps, such as orientation of a building to a southern exposure, are too often overlooked. Building codes mandate minimum standards of energy efficiency, but impose no limits on the use of other resources. Many people now realize that the earth's supply of most energy sources and many materials is limited. A sense of responsibility for conservation is growing. A few designers, builders, and clients are eager to demonstrate how to leave the legal requirements in the dust, and establish new standards of appropriate construction.
Another concern is to find and use products which are low toxic, non polluting, and biodegradable. Manufacturers are starting to respond to the growing demand for healthful alternatives to traditional materials. This will eventually have a big impact on workers in the building trades who have regular exposure to an amazing range of hazardous substances. Green design also helps protect the health and well being of occupants of the structures.
The small but enthusiastic group of supporters of ecologically sustainable design and building are determined to reduce waste and unnecessary dumping. They find and use recycled content materials, then share valuable information about product performance. Some of them, like Jon Alexander of Sunshine Construction, are also involved in impressive job-site recycling efforts. They often dismantle old structures to allow reuse of the materials. New construction is carefully designed to limit waste, and the construction debris that does accumulate is sorted for later reuse or recycling. Jon, and several other contractors, have proven that these labor intensive practices can also be cost-effective when done in an organized and careful manner.
Sometimes the discussion of all of these
issues turns to underlying values and philosophies. Ethical
considerations can be a more challenging topic than economics
and health. The most dramatic and important changes may come
about when people become more thoughtful about what they want,
and why. Tom Kayser prefers to be direct about what he regards
as appropriate building design. He likes to work with
challenging budgets and clients who want assistance in
creating practical, functional, and needed living space. Tom
would not be a good match for someone who demanded walk-in
closets the size of an average living room. There is some
danger that Tom would bite his head off.
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