Green Construction
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Topical Reports Green Construction |
Specific Project Resources
Buying Green Power
Education & Technical Assistance (National/International)
Education & Technical Assistance (Northwest)
Building Commissioning
Software Design Tools
Financial Incentives
Budgeting
Consultants
Newsletters and News Sources
Education & Technical Assistance (National/International)
U.S. Green Building Council
Consensus coalition promoting the understanding, development, and accelerated implementation of "Green Building" policies, programs, technologies, standards, and design practices.
http://www.usgbc.org/National Association of Home Builders Research Center
Supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the NAHBRC has developed a set of nationally-applicable "Green Building Guidelines" and many other useful publications.
http://www.nahbrc.org (For publications, go to: http://www.nahbrc.org/bookstore.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=1628&Type=)Green Building Information Council
The Council is a Canadian non-profit organization whose mission is to disseminate information about energy and environmental issues in the building sector.
http://greenbuilding.ca/Green Design Network
Provides news, books, links, directories, and a resource center for designing and building a sustainable future.
http://www.greendesign.netAdvanced Buildings: Technologies & Practices
A building professional's guide to more than 90 environmentally-appropriate technologies and practices targeted for commercial, industrial and multi-unit residential buildings. Design and construction issues covered include: indoor air quality, water conservation, waste management, electricity production, non-toxic materials, recycled materials, daylighting, and energy efficiency.
http://www.advancedbuildings.org/Rocky Mountain Institute
The Institute is an entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources to create a more secure, prosperous, and life-sustaining world. The Institute specializes in sustainable construction research and outreach.
http://www.rmi.org/Global Environmental Options (GEO)
Promotes sustainable design and development of buildings, communities and national parks. Offers "Approach to Green Design", "Systems Integration", and links to consulting services.
http://www.geonetwork.org/Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA)
Promotes environmentally respectful development, including energy efficiency, through dissemination of information, training, and providing criteria for use by the housing industry, consumers and governmental agencies.
http://www.eeba.org/Virginia Housing and the Environment Network
Provides information, training, and conferences for environmentally friendly, resource-efficient buildings in sustainable communities.
Contact Annette Osso, 703-486-2966.
http://www.vahen.orgCenter for Maximum Potential Building Systems - Austin, Texas
A non-profit education, demonstration, and research organization experienced in the application of appropriate technologies and sustainable design practices to meet the needs of a broad range of users, from individual home builders to regional planning and natural resource agencies.
http://www.cmpbs.org/Habitat for Humanity's Environmental Initiative
HFH has increased an effort to implement their Environmental Initiative through the "Green Team". Their mission is to create a national network of individuals who will educate Habitat Affiliates worldwide in sustainable building practices. They have developed educational materials and a newsletter.
Contact: Graham Davis, 719-963-0148.
http://www.habitat.org/The Master Home Environmentalist Program - American Lung Association of Washington
Promotes human health by increasing awareness of home environmental pollutants and encouraging action to reduce exposure. Their vision is for a safe and healthy home environment for all family members. They offer training, information, and free home assessments by trained Master Home Environmentalists.
http://www.alaw.org/air_quality/information_and_referral/master_home_environmentalist/Greenbuilder’s Sustainable Building Sourcebook
A comprehensive resource published by the City of Austin, Texas.
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/contents.htmlAmerican Institute of Architect's Committee on the Environment
This membership organization advances the value of architects and architecture, providing members with resources and a collective voice for the profession. The Committee on the Environment is involved in education of the industry in sustainable construction and communities.
http://www.aia.org/pia/WWW Virtual Library: Sustainable Development
Comprehensive list of Internet sites dealing with sustainable development, including organizations, projects and activities, electronic journals, libraries, references and documents, databases, and more.
http://www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.htmlThe Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC)
WERC was formed to assist communities, government, industry and others address increasingly urgent hardwood resource use issues and overlapping interests in:http://www.werc-hdw.com/
- Sustaining forests, forest products companies, and forest-based communities
- Efficiently using resources and protecting the environment
- Employing collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to address diverse interests
- Ensure that eastern hardwood forests remain available and sustainable
High Performance Green Building Guidelines
Published by the Governor's Green Government Council of Pennsylvania
http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/Architectural Support Group
Advisory group for the construction and real estate industries.
http://www.architect-sprt.com/Sustainable Architecture Compendium
Downloadable biographies with hundreds of publications and articles.
http://www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/resources/compendia/architecture.html
Education & Technical Assistance (Northwest)
Northwest Eco-Building Guild - Oregon/Washington
The Guild is an educational forum, encouraging sustainable building practices. Concepts the Guild promotes include:The Guild also publishes the Green Pages, a directory of green contractors. http://www.ecobuilding.org
- Low toxic construction
- Use resources efficiently
- Energy efficiency
- Job site recycling
Seattle Sustainable Building Action Plan and Built Smart
Program may be able to provide free technical assistance and rebates: Technical assistance is available to facilitate builder acceptance and compliance.
Contact: Wayne Knipple, 206-684-4286.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/light/conserve/resident/cv5_bs.htmAdditional Assistance Available:
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/RESCONS/default.htm- Water Smart Technology / Incentives Program
Contact: Phil Paschke 206-684-5883- Resource Efficient Design, Drainage, Solid Waste Issues
Contact: Lucia Athens 206-684-4643- Centralized Recycling Collection And Pick-Up Design Requirements
Contact: Jim Lowenstein 206-233-3839- Sustainable Landscape Design Assistance
Contact: David McDonald 206-684-7650- Water Efficient Irrigation
Contact: Suzan Hill 206-684-4150- Site Transportation Facilities Enhancement
Contact: Tim Lowry 206-263-5215Construction Recycling/Sustainable Building
King County Department of Natural Resources - Provides information on integrating recycling and green building design into construction plans. Services include:
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/bizprog/sus_build/susbuild.htm
- Hotline: 206-296-8800 - staffed from 8:30-4:30
- Publications, brochures, and case studies
- Five ways to fight waste
- A more in-depth document on how to develop a plan for job-site
- Green building techniques
- Ways to get recognition for your environmental commitment
The Center for Resourceful Building Technology (CRBT)
A non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible practices in construction. Its mission is to serve as both catalyst and facilitator in encouraging building technologies which realize a sustainable and efficient use of resources. Through research, education and demonstration, CRBT promotes resource efficiency in building design, materials selection and construction practices.
http://www.crbt.org/Peaks to Prairies - Montana State University Extension
A technical resource for information on green building in residential construction with a service focus on EPA Region 8.
http://peakstoprairies.org/constructionArchitects, Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR)
West Coast Architectural Resource Guide Data Base provides samples of the Architectural Resource Guides (ARG) information.
http://www.adpsr-norcal.org/adpsr/menu/ResourceGuide/resourceguide.htmlEnvironmental Landscape Certification
(Program still in development)
Washington Association of Landscape Professionals, Seattle Public Utilities, and King County partnered to develop the first environmental landscape certification program. The goal is to provide landscapers with the knowledge to offer environmentally sound services, and bring city officials and landscape professionals together in implementing landscaping best management practices.
Contact: Peter Dervin at pdervin@walp.orgEnvironmental Handbooks for Oregon Construction Contractors - Regulatory Guidance
November 1994. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Contact: 800-452-4011
Disclaimer: This list of tools is provided as a service to people interested in green building. The PPRC does not use these software tools and therefore cannot vouch for the usability of the software or accuracy of results.Commissioning for Better Buildings in Oregon
Commissioning is the process of ensuring building systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained according to the owner's operational needs. Commissioning also can restore existing buildings to high productivity through renovation, upgrade and tune-up of existing systems. Available: Commissioning Tool Kit: Commissioning Guidelines, Guide Specifications and Sample Functional Performance Tests.
http://www.energy.state.or.us/bus/comm/bldgcx.htmBuilding Commissioning Association (BCA)
BCA promotes building commissioning practices that maintain high professional standards, and fulfill building owners' expectations.
http://www.bcxa.org/Total Building Commissioning
A website established to support development of National Institute for Building Sciences guidelines for total building commissioning.
http://sustainable.state.fl.us/fdi/edesign/resource/index.htmlArticle: "Integrated Commissioning Avoids IAQ Pitfalls Through Quality Construction"
March 1999, by Ronald J.Wilkinson, P.E.
Abstract: In spite of the increased use of innovative construction processes, building owners need to commission buildings to assure reliable IAQ throughout the life of the structure. Article available in pdf format from periodical Heating/Piping/AirConditioning at:
http://www.hpac.com
Building Life-Cycle Cost (BLCC) Software
An aid for performing life-cycle cost (LCC) analyses, the BLCC programs, BLCC4 and BLCC5, use conventions familiar to energy managers. The BLCC4 program has been used extensively for almost 25 years, while a a new, Windows-like version, BLCC5 is now available. The software allows evaluation of long-term costs and benefits of energy and water conservation, and renewable energy projects.
http://www.eren.doe.gov/femp/newsevents/femp_focus/feb01_blcc.htmlThe Whole Building Design Guide
A comprehensive, Internet-based portal to a wide range of federal and private sector, building-related guidance, criteria and technology. By creatively linking information across disciplines and traditional professional boundaries, the WBDG encourages integrated thinking and a "whole building" performance perspective.
http://www.wbdg.org/EnergyStar TargetFinder
Using rudimentary building and occupant data, the software outputs annual energy use value required if the building is to perform in the top 25 percent of U.S. building stock. Complements the LEED rating system.
http://yosemite1.epa.gov/Estar/business.nsf/content/nbd_targetfinder.htmEnergy-10 Software
A powerful design tool that analyzes – and illustrates – the energy and cost savings that can be achieved through more than a dozen sustainable design strategies.
http://www.sbicouncil.org/enTen/index.htmlCommunity Energy
Provides information about software that is used for "applying a comprehensive set of energy-conscious urban design and growth management measures in conjunction with the master planning process across a range of urban settings from neighborhoods (or discrete portions of a military installation) to associated regions (or entire military installations) in order to build more sustainable communities."
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/community/Energy Accounting Software (EZSim from Stellar Processes)
Uses actual utility bills to reveal the patterns of use in commercial buildings.http://www.ezsim.com/
- Diagnoses energy patterns and consumption
- Calibrates savings estimates to agree with actual energy usage
- Estimates energy end-uses within the facility
- Verifies vendor claims for energy products and services
- Generates performance targets to compare against actual energy bills
Green Building Advisor
A software tool that identifies the specific design strategies that can improve the environmental performance, cost-effectiveness, and healthiness of a building.
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.comRADIANCE
UNIX freeware for lighting design and rendering, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Swiss federal government, copyrighted by the Regents of the University of California.
http://radsite.lbl.gov/radiance/HOME.htmlSUNREL - Building Energy Simulation Program
A detailed, hourly building energy simulation program that aids in the design of small energy-efficient buildings where loads are dominated by the dynamic interaction between the building's envelope, its environment, and its occupants. It is especially useful for buildings with passive design features such as natural ventilation, windows with performance coatings, scheduled window insulation and shading, Trombe walls, phase change materials, and thermal storage. While the program was designed to provide sophisticated thermal models, it is simple to use and flexible enough to accommodate additional computational modules. (The program was no longer maintained on the web site when this link was last updated in 4/02.)
http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/highperformance/simulation_software.htmlRETScreen - Renewable Energy Software
A free analysis tool that helps users identify, compare and evaluate opportunities for renewable energy projects, including solar space heat, solar hot water, photovoltaics, passive solar, wind, small hydro, and biomass. The tool was developed by a Natural Resources Canada energy laboratory.
http://retscreen.gc.ca/ang/menu.htmlThe Energy Solutions Database has variety of software design tools for solar and passive design, water heating, geometry, and more:
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/cfdocs/eic/energy_solutions/list_all.cfm?vtype=software
- Building Design
- Building Envelope
- Codes/Standards/Legislation
- Energy Use
- Heating, Cooling, Ventilation
- Lighting
- Motors
- Renewables
- Utilities
Environmental Design Guide for Engineers (EDGE)
A database and accompanying Pollution Prevention Design Assessment Guidebook, produced by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for US Department of Energy, helps engineers and designers incorporate sustainability measures into facility design to reduce life-cycle costs and increase materials and energy efficiency. .
http://www.pnl.gov/doesustainabledesign/tools/edge.htmlLife Cycle Assessment
A systematic method for identifying potential environmental impacts from raw materials acquisition through disposal or reuse.
E-mail: curran.maryann@epamail.epa.govFacility Energy Decisions Systems (FEDS)
Under Department of Energy's Rebuild America Program
This software offers detailed information on energy efficiency retrofits at sites ranging from single buildings to multi-site complexes. The software is intended for facility managers, architects, engineers, consultants, utilities, and government energy agencies. The software is free for local and state governments, federal agencies and their contractors, and partners in the U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America partnership program. For others, the cost is $750.
Contact: Rosemarie Bartlett, 509-375-6606
To find out more about Rebuild America, visit
http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/rebuild"Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability" or BEES 2.0
The new version of this software system assesses the following environmental impacts for building products: ozone depletion, smog, ecological and human toxicity, global warming, acid rain, natural resource depletion, indoor air quality and solid waste.
http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/bees.htmlEnvest - Environmental Impact Estimating (For purchase)
The tool is aimed at the UK's commercial building sector and was produced by the Building Research Establishment's (BRE) Centre for Sustainable Construction. It enables comparison of the environmental implications of various building design and operations options, from building shape to materials selection. Envest's scoring system uses "Ecopoints," an assessment method developed by BRE that relies on many environmental factors, including ozone depletion potential, water consumption data and the effect of consuming natural resources.
http://products.bre.co.uk/envest
Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Program - Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
They are sponsoring a green, affordable rehab project, and offer a direct subsidy to a non-profit housing developer, "to develop housing that is affordable, energy efficient, healthy and good for the environment, that can serve as a model for other affordable housing developers".
Contact: Paul Knight, 708-386-0345
http://www.commerce.state.il.us/Texas Veterans Land Board (TVLB)
Since 1997, the TVLB has offered reduced rate mortgages to vets who build to the program's green standards. Declaring these homes to be "better, cheaper, and easier on the earth", the TVLB considers the dwelling and the loan recipient to be a "better risk". Reduced life cycle cost leads to increased cash, which, in turn reduces the possibility of default. In less than two years, they have qualified around 500 homes, most of which received a full point reduction.
Contact: Raul Gonzales, 512-463-5366
http://www.glo.state.tx.us/vlb/vhap/gb.htmlThe Energy Foundation
A grant making institution endeavoring to assist in the nation's transition to a sustainable energy future by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
http://www.energyfoundation.org/aboutus/index.cfmHome Depot Grants
Home Depot offers grants for projects in "Sustainable and Green Building Practices" Proposals are accepted between 11/1 and 12/15 annually. There is no application form. Organizations requesting a grant are required to have a Federal Tax Exempt nonprofit status and must include a copy of the 501(C)(3) letter/form.
Contact: Manager, Environmental Programs, The Home Depot, 2455 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30339New York’s Governor announced a new program to offer financial incentives and tax credits to developers that use environmentally sound materials and practices to construct and renovate buildings.
Press Release: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year00/jan10_5_00.htmFunding Mechanisms for Brownfield Development
Includes federal finance sources and programs.
http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/tosc/sswtosc/finance.html#fundingUS EPA's Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Pilots
http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pilot.htm#cleanupFinancing Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention
This forum covers energy efficiency financing.
http://www.visto.com/j.html?g=16846541.RTdrQ0hH
(Please note: these links point to directories of green builders. PPRC does not endorse specific companies or contractors.)Cash Flow vs. Payback in New Home Construction
http://www.buildinggreen.com/features/mr/cash-flow.htmlEnvironmental Building News - "Building Green on a Budget"
http://www.buildinggreen.com/features/lc/low_cost.html
Pacific Northwest
Green Pages - Directory of green contractors and consultants, published by Northwest EcoBuilding Build
http://www.ecobuilding.org/gp/National
Green Building Professionals Directory Search
http://www2.greenbuilder.com/greenbuilder/gbnalive.qry?function=form
GreenClips
E-mail summary of news on sustainable building design and related government and business issues, published every two weeks.
http://www.greendesign.net/greenclips/index.htmlEnvironmental Building News
A monthly newsletter on environmentally responsible design and construction, featuring comprehensive, practical information on a wide range of topics related to sustainable building and is widely regarded as the leading publication in this field.
http://www.buildinggreen.comNewsletter - "Indoor Environment Connections"
http://www.ieconnections.comSeattle Daily Journal of Commerce: Special Edition
Section on why green building is important, a Pierce County project that sets new standard for green construction, an Endangered Species Act listing which pushes green building into the mainstream, and how green building starts at the top.
http://www.djc.com/special/greenbld2000
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© 1999, Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center
phone: 206-352-2050, e-mail: office@pprc.org, web: www.pprc.org