Sustainable Principles

Sustainable design addresses almost every aspect of the design and construction process. Sustainable design is often categorized into principle areas:

• Site Planning
• Water Conversation
• Energy Efficiency
• Materials and Resources
• Indoor Environment Quality

Many aspects of a site can impact the environment, including, the location of a building, its orientation, movement of the soil, vegetation selection and materials used on the site. By selecting more sustainable landscapes, a building will reduce natural resource consumption and maintenance costs, as well as enhance livability.

• Avoid development of previously undeveloped land, using instead surface parking lots and infill sites.
• Landscape to control erosion, reduce heat islands (shade trees, light color materials), and minimize habitat disturbance.
• Use alternative transportation facilities (pedestrian, bicycle, carpools, shuttles, public transit).
• Site buildings efficiently (orientation to wind, sun, natural topography)
• Encourage mixed land use (trip reduction, walk to work, errands, day care).

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Water Conservation

Buildings impact both water consumption and water quality. Simple steps can be taken to conserve water and to reduce negative impacts to water quality. Examples of sustainable water solutions include: Progressively replace existing fixtures with water-conserving fixtures. Review feasibility of irrigation and gray water systems. Use water-efficient landscaping. Where appropriate, consider green roofs for storm runoff retention and heat sink damper. Reduce and filter water runoff. Limit impermeable surfaces.

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Energy Efficiency

Buildings consume approximately 60 percent of the electricity used annually in the United States. To reduce the significant environmental and economic costs associated with energy consumption, buildings should be designed as efficient as possible.

Examples of sustainable energy solutions include:

• Use comprehensive life cycle cost analyses to make design decisions.
• Exceed state building energy codes, where possible.
• Consider natural ventilation, heating and cooling a portion of the year.
• Consider waste heat recovery systems.
• Consider renewable/alternative energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal).
• Design for appropriate use of natural light.
• Use Energy Star^® appliances and equipment.

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Materials and Resources

The use of materials for constructing and operating buildings consumes resources, impacts the environment and generates waste. By choosing environmentally friendly building materials, a building owner will reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality.

Sustainable material solutions include:

• Use local materials to reduce transportation costs.
• Reuse resources (salvaged materials).
• Use recycled-content materials.
• Select products that are durable and allow efficient end-of-life disposal (recyclable).
• Eliminate chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons in mechanical equipment and building materials.
• Prepare construction waste management plans.
• Review and improve building occupant recycling (dedicated chutes, recycling areas) and central recycling and waste compaction. Dispose of trash efficiently and reduce unsightly litter.

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Indoor Environment Quality

Enhancing the indoor environment of a building can increase the comfort and health of building occupants. This can translate to significant cost savings.

Sustainable solutions include:

• Prepare indoor air quality (IAQ) management plan.
• Select low-emitting materials.
• Protect the ventilation system during construction.
• Consider a permanent air monitoring system (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, VOCs).
• Provide walk-off mats at entries.
• Make full and efficient use of daylight workspaces.