Green

Architect-On-Duty architect-on-duty.com Last Update 20061209

PAGE UNDER CONTINUOUS UPDATING, PLEASE BE PATIENT, WE DO THIS AS WE GO :-)

QUESTIONS FOR ALL OF US:

● SHOULD WE DEFINE ENVIRONMENTALLY "ETHICAL" PROJECT/DEVELOPMENT?

One of the most commendable developments in the financial world in recent years has been the birth of Sustainable or also called Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). It was forced by by movement of all good people of this planet who did not wish to cause "people" or "environment" harm with their retirement investments. We believe that development/construction will wake-up and realise that we must have some code or standard for determining what is ethical for "new developments" to do to our planet. We (all good people of this planet :-), must make this effort our top priority or this Pale Blue Dot of ours will not survive.

● IS THERE A WAY TO CONSTRUCT "GREEN" CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS?

● HOW CAN WE DEFINE "GREEN" CONSTRUCTION PROCESS?:

● WHAT IS A "GREEN" CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT OR MATERIAL?:

At this point we can define construction material as "GREEN" once we have a full understanding of its life cycle, from its raw material origins to how it is processed, used, and recycled; and it fits the criteria of "GREEN" material.

● WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR "GREEN" MATERIAL:

We can call construction material "GREEN" when ....(help us; suggest your best definition!)

RESEARCH TOPICS/NOTES:

General

1)    We are researching this topic, looking for common logical and maybe already standardized parameters by other industries, which could help us to create the definition for "GREEN" parameters for materials used by construction industry. If you think you have some advice, please feel free to drop us a line at sha@architect-on-duty.com

2)    We are also continuously researching area of stable/renewable energy systems which can be classified as "GREEN". We believe that architects as professionals can be instrumental in helping globally to synthesize existing construction knowledge to practical and viable solutions. We are working diligently to prove this to all our clients. We are convinced that our "need for energy" and our desire for "clean environment" are NOT mutually exclusive. We strongly believe that functioning examples of successful projects are the best way how to present the feasibility of these systems. We are prepared to arrange tours of successful facilities to all interested parties, please contact Lubomir Dzamba at lubomir.dzamba@architect-on-duty.com.

3)    When embarking on building an energy-efficient project, you definitely want to collaborate with a "Green Architect" (GA). GA will be familiar with energy-efficient and renewable energy design principles, and will have roster of engineering resources who are equally knowledgeable in energy-efficient building design. We believe that the Architects who invest time to develop strong knowledge base and design tools in the area of energy-efficient building design, are showing the foresight of value and care for their clients and the environment. Stafford Haensli Architects is continuously working towards this goal.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MORE DETAIL GREEN INFORMATION SOURCES:

A:

Absorbing/Polluting Agents

B:

BIOPOWER

Bleach

E:

Earth Day

Earth Energy Systems

Embodied Energy

Energy Benchmarking of Buildings

EREN

G:

Geothermal Energy Systems

Green Roofs

H:

Heat Pumps

K:

Kyoto Protocol

L:

Life Cycle Assessment (Embodied Energy)

P:

Painting Green

R:

Recycling of Construction Materials-Waste Prevention

S:

Schools and Energy Costs

W:

Wind Energy Systems