Building Green
Notable Green Building Projects
The American Institute of Architects selected several buildings to honor with "The 2004 Top Ten Green Projects" award. The buildings selected implement green design through architecture, technology, and natural systems. The Greyston Bakery, Gensyme Corporation, Herman Miller, along with others received the award.
Mark Hurd, the HP Chairman and CEO, leads the HP Board with HP sustainable resource policies. To reduce its environmental footprint, HP developed the Planet Partner program to recycle inkjet and laser jet supplies.
Paris will soon boast a new eco-friendly building in its La Defense Complex. The building named Phare (French for "Lighthouse") will receive some of its energy from wind turbines located on the roof. The building may also host a "double-skin façade," allowing for natural ventilation.
Many construction projects across Eagle County, Colorado are going green without being required to by local officials. The County discusses whether they need to intervene or let nature take its course. Several policies have been proposed like the county Eco Build Program, which favors discounts on building permits for green buildings.
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Building Green
By: Drew Macdonald
Many homeowners are desiring and some insisting that their home be earth friendly, affordable to operate, and healthy to live in. In recent years the method of building homes based on Green building principles has grown incredibly.
The term Green building refers to a practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use energy and materials, while also reducing the impacts on the environment and human health. Quality home builders have been wise to note this trend in more environmentally conscious consumers.
The practice of Green building, also called sustainable building, can lead to benefits including reduced operating costs by increasing productivity and using less energy and water, improved public and occupant health due to improved indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impacts by, for example, lessening storm water runoff and the heat island effect.
Green design often emphasizes taking advantage of renewable resources, including the use of sunlight through passive solar, active solar and photovoltaic techniques and the use of plants and trees through green roofs, rain gardens, and for reduction of rainwater run-off. Many other techniques, such as using packed gravel for parking lots instead of concrete or asphalt to enhance replenishment of ground water, are used as well.
For existing buildings, indoor air quality is a major consideration, and will be addressed through specifications for characteristics like ventilation and moisture control, as well selection of indoor materials like paints, carpets and furnishings that minimize indoor chemical emissions. Installing insulation is the most cost-effective way to improve the comfort of the home, especially when used together with good passive design. A home without proper insulation, leads to excessive energy cost for heat and air conditioning. Insulation can also help if you have problems with damp; some types also have soundproofing qualities.
The goals Green building are designed to reduce maintenance and utility costs, improve energy efficiency and water conservation, provide safe, healthy and productive environments and promote environmental stewardship.
Sovereign Homes is dedicated to building homes that are health conscious and environmentally friendly. Our emphasis on green building standards is demonstrated by our 100 percent recyclable ThermaSteel(Trade Mark) structural panels. Sovereign Homes will meticulously design and implement a program tailored to your specific needs. From the inception of architectural and interior design to the completed project, we offer a full gamut of building services, undertaking projects as small as a kitchen remodel to a full scale renovation.
Drew Macdonald is an experienced Realtor(R) and rental agent from Marco Island Florida and manager of Direct Home Rentals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Drew_Macdonald
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the owners, editors, web developers or anyone else otherwise responsible for this website.
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