Topical Reports Green Construction

Green Building Project Frameworks

Understanding requirements of building codes is an early step in designing and constructing a green building. Going "beyond code" opens opportunities for adding more value to the building. Certification and rating systsems provide credible frameworks and standards to guide developers, architiects and contractors who want to go beyond code.

      Building Codes, Standards & Guidelines
      Building Rating Systems - Commercial & Institutional
      Building Rating Systems - Residential

Questions to Consider

• Where can I get help understanding building codes and standards?
  
• Are there tools for designing building that go beyond code?
  
• What are the benefits of building certification and rating systems?

Energy Program Building Standards
Washington State has progressive energy and ventilation construction standards. These standards include building codes, which apply to all new and remodeled residential and commercial construction in the state, and voluntary construction standards for manufactured housing.
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/buildings

Building Codes Assistance Project
(For State and Local Code Agencies)
The Building Codes Assistance Project provides custom-tailored assistance on building energy code adoption and implementation. It assists state and local regulatory and legislative bodies and helps coordinate others representing environmental interests, consumers, labor, and industry.
http://solstice.crest.org/efficiency/bcap/

Process Guidelines for High-Performance Buildings
An interactive database of guidelines for high-performance building design, construction, and operation � developed for the State of Florida, usable by anyone.
http://sustainable.state.fl.us/fdi/edesign/resource/index.html

Criteria for Energy and Resource Efficient Buildings - Energy Efficient Building Association
http://www.eeba.org/infocentral/criteria.htm

State of Nebraska Executive Orders 98-1 (Renewables) and 98-6 (Efficiency)
(For State Agencies)
Intent of orders is to encourage use of renewable energy and greater energy efficiency, particularly for state facilities.
Contact: Jerry Loos, 402-471-1999

International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) (For Commercial and Industrial Facility Operators)
Offers standards for measurement and verification of energy and water efficiency projects.
http://www.ipmvp.org/

U.S. Green Building Council�s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
The LEED Green Building Rating System� is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven building rating system based on existing proven technology. It evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building's life cycle.
http://www.usgbc.org/programs/index.htm

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
BREEAM is a widely used international method of assessing building quality and performance in terms of energy efficiency, environmental impact, health and operation and management.
http://www.breeamcanada.ca/

Seattle Sustainable Building Action Plan and Built Smart
(For Multi-Family Projects in the City of Seattle)
The program operates a voluntary rating and green certification system for multi-family projects. One rebate example is that $0.55-0.65 per square foot is paid for meeting insulation requirements.
Contact: Wayne Knipple, 206-684-4286.

Green Building Program - Austin, Texas
The City of Austin has promoted green building through a city resolution adopted in 1994. The program has a residential and a commercial component, which rates the following dwelling features for sustainability: water, energy, materials and solid waste.
Contact: Public Information Office, 512-499-2220, or Publications, 512-499-7827
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilder/

Scottsdale�s Green Building Program - City of Scottsdale, Arizona
Program monitors and scores construction projects for ~150 green measures. This "yes/no" system is an alternative option to a "multi-star" program like Austin.
http://www.ci.scottsdale.az.us/greenbuilding/

Green Building Initiative, City of Portland, Oregon
Their "Integrated Building Design" provides actions and opportunities from predesign through operations and maintenance. Their "Green Building Guidelines" provide specific opportunities in building design and construction practices.
http://www.sustainableportland.org/FSgrated.html

BUILT GREEN�- King and Snohomish Counties (Washington)
(For Puget Sound Homeowners)
An environmental building program designed to help Puget Sound homebuyers find quality, affordable homes that offer opportunities to protect health and the environment. The program provides an easy-to-understand rating system, which quantifies environmentally friendly building practices for remodeling and new home construction. http://www.builtgreen.net/

Built Green - Denver, Colorado
The State of Colorado has funded a comprehensive green building program since early l997, supporting the Denver Metro Homebuilder Association's "Green Built" Program. The program provides substantial public relations, builder training, and a home rating system.
Contact: Tom Brotherton, 303-620-4292 x233
http://www.builtgreen.org/shared/checklist.htm

The Green Builder Program - Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico
NASFA, the State of New Mexico, PNM, Fannie Mae, and Owens Corning are program partners in this first environmental building rating system in the state.
http://www.hbacnm.com/green_builder/

Health House Advantage Certification - The American Lung Association
This program is nationally recognized for raising the standards of residential air quality and energy efficiency.
http://www.healthhouse.org/

City of Boulder, Green Points Building Program
Promotes sustainable construction for projects not eligible for the Denver Metro Home Builder Association's "Built Green" program. This program is unique, as the only regulated (i.e. non-voluntary) green building program. The program also has a component for remodeling (including small projects), as well as new construction, and it is required and monitored through Building Inspection Services, in contrast to the typical voluntary, "market-driven" rating program.
Contact: Mike Weil, 303-441-4191.
http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/buildingservices/codes/greenpoints/greenpoints.htm

Build a Better Kitsap
(For Homes in Kitsap County, Washington)
A network of architects, builders, subcontractors, suppliers and real estate agents working together to provide quality homes that are cost effective to own and operate, protect occupants' health and well being, and help preserve the Northwest environment. Self-certification checklists, budget information and other helpful resources.
http://www.kitsaphba.com/bbk.html

Super Good Cents and Natural Choice Homes
(For buyers of manufactured housing)
This certification ensures manufactured homes are comfortable and energy efficient. Unique quality controls provided by the state energy office assure that every Super Good Cents and Natural Choice home meets the program's exact standards.
http://web04.energy.wsu.edu/org/sgc/

Evergreen Building Guide - City of Issaquah, Washington
Guide outlines a four-star rating system for creating a regional definition for green homes and neighborhoods.
Contact: David Fujimoto at 425-837-3400

EcoHomes - by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), United Kingdom
This recently launched rating system is a voluntary certification scheme that assigns qualified homes a rating ranging from pass to excellent. This rating is determined by qualified assessors and evaluates seven areas: energy, transport, pollution, materials, water, ecology/land use, and health/well-being. BRE has also established a standard method of life-cycle assessment and has developed a reference aid, the "Green Guide for Housing Specification".
http://www.bre.co.uk/press2000/april/eco060400.html

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