Topical Reports Green Construction

The Purpose of a Building: Consider the Whole System

To have the greatest value, a building will meet the needs of the people who will use it and of the surrounding community of which the building will be a part – health and safety, social, aesthetic, economic, and environmental. To achieve this value, an integrated approach to design is essential.

Questions to Consider

• Who will use the building and what will they use it for?
• How can the building help its users accomplish their goals?
• How will codes, green building standards, and rating systems influence design?
• Who are the parties with a stake in the building’s design and operation, and how can they be brought into an integrated design process?

Whole Systems Thinking
By Rocky Mountain Institute's (RMI) Green Development Services
RMI's Green Development Services unit works to improve the efficiency of buildings and projects through consulting and research. RMI states, "Whole-systems thinking is a process through which the interconnections between systems are actively considered, and solutions are sought that address multiple problems at the same time."
http://www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid13.asp

Whole Building Design - US Department of Energy's Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs
Provides a number of tools to ensure more integrated design approach. http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/build_design.html

Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development
Discusses comprehensive set of green building principles, codes, success stories and additional reference material.
http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/buildings/gbintro.shtml

Natural Capitalism
This book is authored by three leading business visionaries, who explain how the world is on the verge of a new industrial revolution. Natural Capitalism describes a future in which business and environmental interests increasingly overlap, and in which companies can improve their bottom lines, help solve environmental problems. The book cites hundreds of compelling stories. Available for purchase through the Rocky Mountain Institute.
http://www.naturalcapitalism.org/

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