How To Use The Sourcebook

The purpose of the Sourcebook is to offer the practical information needed to implement the building practices promoted by the Green Building Program. The Sourcebook addresses a wide range of options available to architects, builders, and homeowners in seeking to create sustainable buildings. Many of the options have been grouped to fit one overall approach to building or one general category of materials.

SOURCEBOOK SECTIONS

The general sections of the Sourcebook are Water, Energy, Building Materials, and Solid Waste. Each resource section and the appendix are hyperlinked for quick location.

The Table of Contents at the beginning of the Sourcebook lists all the topics that are found in each resource section.

RESOURCE SECTION TOPICS

Each resource section topic is formatted in the following subsections: Overview, Guidelines, and Resources.

Overview

The Overview begins by identifying the options that are being discussed in that topic. The options are identified in an abbreviated form showing keywords from the option and their definitions as they relate to the topic at hand.

In the upper right-hand box are the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) numbers that pertain to the topic are listed. This will aid in conducting cost estimates using Means Construction Cost Data manuals, for example, and locating products listed in Sweet's catalogues.

The "Definition" and "Considerations" sections of the Overview serve as an executive summary.

The matrix which follows "Considerations" provides a quick overview of the commercial status and implementation issues associated with the topic.

	Commercial Status	Implementation Issues

Buffalo Grass
Terracing
Xeriscape
Conserving Irrigation System

Legend
	Satisfactory
	Satisfactory in most conditions
	Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
	Unsatisfactory or Difficult

The boxes shown in the legend are colored indicating the potential difficulty associated with implementing the topic being presented.

The six areas of the matrix, defined below, are discussed in more detail following the matrix.

"Technology " pertains to the development of the technology of the topic. If the technology is well-established (such as bricklaying), the box is green. If the technology is still developing (such as passive cooling), the box is more likely to be red or black.
"Suppliers" indicates the availability of the product or service in Austin.
"Cost " gives the cost impact of the topic. A green or yellow colored box indicates that the costs are competitive with reasonable paybacks.
"Financing" indicates the level of acceptance by lenders.
"Public Acceptance " gauges the general public's perception and acceptance of the topic.
"Regulatory " refers to regulatory processes that must be considered.

Guidelines

Key considerations for implementing the topic are presented.

Resources

Products and services are listed under Professional Assistance, Components/Materials/ Systems, and General Assistance. The Building Materials section presents further information about the listed products. (Much of the information on building materials is provided by the Center for Resourceful Building Technology which has generously provided its research findings to the Green Builder Program.)

This section will expand as we identify additional firms that offer products and services relating to green building. See Appendix A if you wish to add a listing to the Sourcebook.

APPENDIX

Appendix A provides information for vendors and service providers on how to be listed in the Sourcebook.

Appendix B lists the resource conservation programs offered by the Environmental and Conservation Services Department that pertain to new residential building in Austin.

Appendix C provides design information for Austin that will be useful for energy design and energy systems.

Appendix D in the paper version contains the subject index, and has been replaced by the Search Engine for the web version.

Appendix F in the paper version, which contains a listing of builders and associates who are members of the Austin Green Builder Program, has been replaced in this internet version with an evolving database Directory of Green Building Professionals world wide.

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This document was adapted to HTML by Bill Christensen, sysop and environmental editor of Texas InfiNet, an online community for progressive information.

Sustainable Building Sourcebook web version copyright Sustainable Sources 1994-1999.