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G. Green building

US EPA Kansas City Science & Technology Center . This facility features the following green attributes:
* LEED 2.0 Gold certified
*Green Power
*Native Landscaping

           Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy , water , and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment , through better siting, design , construction , operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle.
           A similar concept is natural building , which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other commonly used terms include sustainable design and green architecture .
          The related concepts of sustainable development and sustainability are integral to green building. Effective green building can lead to 1) reduced operating costs by increasing productivity and using less energy and water, 2) improved public and occupant health due to improved indoor air quality , and 3) reduced environmental impacts by, for example, lessening storm water runoff and the heat island effect. Practitioners of green building often seek to achieve not only ecological but aesthetic harmony between a structure and its surrounding natural and built environment, although the appearance and style of sustainable buildings is not necessarily distinguishable from their less sustainable counterparts.

The environmental impact of buildings

           Buildings have a profound effect on the environment, which is why green building practices are so important to dramatically reduce those impacts. Buildings in the United States account for a large amount of land use, energy and water consumption, and air and atmosphere alteration.
          More specifically, in 2002, the amount of land developed was 107.3 million acres out of 1.983 billion acres of total land, excluding Hawaii and Alaska . This is a 24% increase in ten years. Since 2002, developed land has increased significantly.
           Out of all the total energy consumed by Americans in 2002, 39.4% was consumed by buildings. From that percentage, 54.6% was consumed by residential buildings and 45.4% by commercial buildings.
           As for electricity, in 2002 building used 67.9% of the total amount consumed in the United States . With 51.2% used by residential buildings and 48.8% by commercial buildings. 38.1% of the total amount of carbon dioxide in the United States can be attributed to buildings. 20.6% from homes and 17.5% from commercial uses. Part of this has to do with the location of homes and other buildings that people travel by automobile everyday.
          Buildings account for 12.2% of the total amount of water consumed per day in the United States .Given these statistics, reducing the amount of natural resources buildings consume and the amount of pollution given off is crucial for future sustainability.
          However, the environmental impact of buildings is often underestimated, while the perceived costs of building green are overestimated. A recent survey by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development finds that green costs are overestimated by 300%, as key players in real estate and construction estimate the additional cost at 17% above conventional construction, more than triple the true average cost difference of about 5%.

          Green building brings together a vast array of practices and techniques to reduce and ultimately eliminate the impacts of buildings on the environment and human health. It often emphasizes taking advantage of renewable resources , e.g., using sunlight through passive solar , active solar , and photovoltaic techniques and using 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. Effective green buildings are more than just a random collection of environmental friendly technologies, however. They require careful, systemic attention to the full life cycle impacts of the resources embodied in the building and to the resource consumption and pollution emissions over the building's complete life cycle.
          On the aesthetic side of green architecture or sustainable design is the philosophy of designing a building that is in harmony with the natural features and resources surrounding the site. There are several key steps in designing sustainable buildings: specify 'green' building materials from local sources, reduce loads, optimize systems, and generate on-site renewable energy.



Green building materials

          Building materials typically considered to be 'green' include rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw, lumber from forests certified to be sustainably managed, dimension stone , recycled stone, recycled metal, and other products that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable (eg Trass , Linoleum , sheep wool, panels made from paper flakes, baked earth, rammed earth, clay, vermiculite, flax linen, sisal, seagrass, cork, expanded clay grains, coconut, wood fibre plates, calcium sand stone... ). Building materials should be extracted and manufactured locally to the building site to minimize the energy embedded in their transportation.

Lower Volatile Organic Compounds

          Low-impact building materials are used wherever feasible: for example, insulation may be made from low VOC ( volatile organic compound )-emitting materials such as recycled denim or cellulose insulation , rather than the building insulation materials that may contain carcinogenic or toxic materials such as formaldehyde. To discourage insect damage, these alternate insulation materials may be treated with boric acid . Organic or milk-based paints may be used. However, a common fallacy is that "green" materials are always better for the health of occupants or the environment. Many harmful substances (including formaldehyde, arsenic, and asbestos) are naturally occurring and are not without their histories of use with the best of intentions. A study of emissions from materials by the State of California has shown that there are some green materials that have substantial emissions whereas some more "traditional" materials actually were lower emitters. Thus, the subject of emissions must be carefully investigated before concluding that natural materials are always the healthiest alternatives for occupants and for the Earth.
          Volatile organic compounds (VOC) can be found in any indoor environment coming from a variety of different sources. VOC's have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility and are suspected of causing sick building syndrome type symptoms. This is because many VOC's have been known to cause sensory irritation and central nervous system symptoms characteristic to sick building syndrome, indoor concentrations of VOC's are higher than in the outdoor atmosphere, and when there are many VOC's present, they can cause additive and multiplicative effects.
          Green products are usually considered to contain less VOC's and be better for human and environmental health. A case study conducted by the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Miami that compared three green products and their non-green counterparts found that even though both the green products and the non-green counterparts both emitted levels of VOC's, the amount and intensity of the VOC's emitted from the green products were much safer and comfortable for human exposure.

Recycled Materials

          Architectural salvage and reclaimed materials are used when appropriate as well. When older buildings are demolished, frequently any good wood is reclaimed, renewed, and sold as flooring. Any good dimension stone is similarly reclaimed. Many other parts are reused as well, such as doors, windows, mantels, and hardware, thus reducing the consumption of new goods. When new materials are employed, green designers look for materials that are rapidly replenished, such as bamboo , which can be harvested for commercial use after only 6 years of growth, or cork oak , in which only the outer bark is removed for use, thus preserving the tree. When possible, building materials may be gleaned from the site itself; for example, if a new structure is being constructed in a wooded area, wood from the trees which were cut to make room for the building would be re-used as part of the building itself.

Reduced Energy Use

Main articles: Low-energy house and Zero-energy building

          Green buildings often include measures to reduce energy use. To increase the efficiency of the building envelope , (the barrier between conditioned and unconditioned space), they may use high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors. Another strategy, passive solar building design , is often implemented in low-energy homes. Designers orient windows and walls and place awnings, porches, and trees to shade windows and roofs during the summer while maximizing solar gain in the winter. In addition, effective window placement ( daylighting ) can provide more natural light and lessen the need for electric lighting during the day. Solar water heating further reduces energy loads.
          After heating and cooling loads are reduced, high efficiency cooling, heating, and water heating equipment, along with insulated hot water pipes and properly sealed and insulated ducts increase whole house efficiency. Higher efficiency appliances and other electric devices not only lowers direct energy use, but also lowers cooling loads in the summer by producing less waste heat. Similarly, fluorescent lighting , which uses one-fourth to one-fifth less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs lowers direct electricity use and cooling loads. Other improvements include adding thermal mass to stabilize daily temperature variations, absorption chillers , optimizing houses for natural ventilation, cool roofs in warm climates, heat recovery ventilation and hot water heat recycling .
          Finally, onsite generation of renewable energy through solar power , wind power , hydro power , or biomass can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the building. Power generation is generally the most expensive feature to add to a building.

Reduced Waste

          Good green architecture also reduces waste of energy, water and materials. During the construction phase, one goal should be to reduce the amount of material going to landfills. Well-designed buildings also help reduce the amount of waste generated by the occupants as well, by providing onsite solutions such as compost bins to reduce matter going to landfills.
          To reduce the impact on wells or water treatment plants, several options exist. " Greywater ", wastewater from sources such as dishwashing or washing machines, can be used for subsurface irrigation, or if treated, for non-potable purposes, e.g., to flush toilets and wash cars. Rainwater collectors are used for similar purposes.
          Centralized wastewater treatment systems can be costly and use a lot of energy. An alternative to this process is converting waste and wastewater into fertilizer, which avoids these costs and shows other benefits. By collecting human waste at the source and running it to a semi-centralized biogas plant with other biological waste, liquid fertilizer can be produced. This concept was demonstrated by a settlement in Lubeck Germany in the late 1990s. Practices like these provide soil with organic nutrients and create carbon sinks that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offsetting greenhouse gas emission. Producing artificial fertilizer is also more costly in energy than this process.

Low vs. High-Density Residential Areas

           An aspect of concern in consideration of green building design is the phenomenon of urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is the outward movement away from the cities in the surrounding hinterlands creating suburbs. Movement into the suburbs creates low density housing, which brings along many environmental impacts due to increased transportation, larger houses using more building materials, and larger amounts of land use.

Toronto Case Study

          A case study of two residential developments in the City of Toronto uses a life-cycle assessment of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. A compact, 15 story condominium project located near the inner core of the City of Toronto is characterized as "high" density. A 161 unit residential subdivision of single-detached dwellings located near the border of the City of Toronto and the suburban Town of Markham is characterized as "low" density.

Construction Materials

          The study concludes that, per capita, embodied energy and GHG emissions associated with material production across the supply chain are approximately 1.5 times higher for the low-density development than for the high-density development.
          Per unit of living area (square meters), the embodied energy and GHG emissions are 1.25 time higher for the high-density development than for the low-density development.

Building Operations

          The study concludes that, per capita, energy use and GHG emissions associated with building operations are approximately 1.8 times higher for the low-density development than for the high-density development.Per unit of living area (square meters), energy use and GHG emissions are approximately equal.

Transportation

          The study concludes that, per capita, transportation-related energy use and GHG emissions are 3.7 times higher for low-density development than those associated with high density development.

Overall

          The study concludes that, per capita, GHG emissions associated with the low-density development are 2.5 times higher than those associated with the high-density development. Energy use associated with the low-density development is 2.0 times higher, per capita, than energy use associated with the high-density development.Per unit of living area (square meters), energy use is approximately equal between the two developments studied. GHG emissions associated with the low-density development are 1.5 times higher than those associated with the high-density development.

          Habitat For Humanity International ( HFHI ) (generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat ) is an international, ecumenical Christian , non-governmental , non-profit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing . Homes are built using volunteer labor and are sold at no profit . In many countries outside the United States , Habitat for Humanity charges interest to protect the Revolving Fund from inflation. The organization was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller , whose vision grew out of their experiences at Koinonia Farm . The international headquarters located in Atlanta (moved from Americus GA in 2006) serves to support and promote the activities of local, independent affiliate chapters, which initiate and manage all construction, mortages, and homeowner selection.
          In 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation's highest civilian honor, calling Habitat for Humanity “…the most successful continuous community service project in the history of the United States.” [1] By 2004 Habitat had built 50,000 houses in the U.S. and over 175,100 around the world, with Habitat groups working in over 100 countries. Although headquartered in the United States , two thirds of Habitat construction takes place in other countries. In 2005 Habitat built its 200,000th house, bringing the number of people sheltered in Habitat houses worldwide to one million. [2]
          On 4 August 2005 , Habitat announced the selection of a new Chief Executive Officer for the organization, former president of stores of Musicland and executive pastor of the Edina, Minnesota Christ Presbyterian Church, Jonathan Reckford . [3]
          In the fall of 2007, alternative rock bands Switchfoot and Relient K went on the Appetite For Construction Tour , partnering with Habitat while raising awareness for the organization and donating a dollar per ticket sold. The tour was highly successful, raising over $100,000 for donation to the cause.

Qualifications for home ownership

          According to the official website,

          Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, affordable mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group.Independent, local affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International are allowed to interpret these guidelines as is deemed most appropriate for the location of the affiliate.
          Homeowners are usually expected to put approximately 500 hours of " sweat equity " into their own or other project homes, although this amount may vary by location and by the number of wage -earning adults in each family (as well as health issues."Mortgage payments" (technically, during at least the first year, the rent in a lease-to-own contract ) from homeowners are deposited into a locally-administered "Fund for Humanity," the proceeds of which go toward future construction. Families partnering with Habitat who receive a home are required to allow the affiliate the right of first refusal , that should they decide to sell their home during the period of their mortage, the affiliate may buy it for no more than the original cost of construction, regardless of any improvements made since.

Charging Interest

          In accordance with the inflation adjustment policy, Habitat for Humanity affiliates have to adjust the loans with the inflation rate in the country, which means that the loans become interest-bearing. It is unclear how many of the affiliates in the world are compliant with this policy, however, according to HFH Europe and Central Asia staff, all but 3 affiliates in their area are following this policy.

Building

          Habitat's Global Village and Discovery Center in Americus, Georgia recreates a slum in an effort to educate visitors about the nature of worldwide poverty housing.
         Habitat builds simple houses with locally appropriate materials. This could mean concrete block homes in Third World nations or poured concrete-walled homes in hurricane -prone regions of the United States . Chapters of Habitat in more developed countries are strongly encouraged to donate a tithe of ten percent of the money they raise for local housing to the national group for the purpose of building Third World homes. For instance, Habitat New Zealand builds one house in Fiji for each house they build in New Zealand .
          Habitat relies on volunteer labor in order to construct simple and affordable homes for its partner families, as well as to build community and civil society in the areas in which it works. Most volunteers are unskilled prior to first working with Habitat, although some professional or retired tradesmen or contractors may donate their services. Many churches and other houses of worship (synagogues, temples, mosques etc.) sponsor houses and provide a large amount of the volunteers from their congregations. Some corporations and businesses who value good corporate citizenship provide financial support to the projects and/or donate materials for use in construction. Many politicians and celebrities have volunteered with Habitat, reflecting its profile as a highly regarded non-profit.

Programs

A Habitat for Humanity volunteer installs metal hurricane strapping on a build site in Bunnell, Florida .

           In addition to ongoing local-level construction, the Habitat International headquarters administers a range of specially focused programs, which may occur once annually or on a continuously ongoing basis.

Operation Home Delivery

          Habitat has initiated a special program to help restore housing to the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita . The effort is focused on getting the local affiliates in these areas back on their feet and prepared to build for their communities. It has also become a catalyst for other organizations, corporations and the government to provide help and support in rebuilding these areas, and has received considerable national media attention.
          The program pre-builds housing components in nearby less-affected locations such as Jackson, Mississippi , allowing much of the construction to be accomplished while basic infrastructure is being restored. Pre-constructed components can then be shipped to the affected areas and built at a faster rate. Within two months of the time of the disaster, construction had begun on houses in the Louisiana cities of Covington and Slidell , near New Orleans .
          Operation Home Delivery is Habitat for Humanity International's hurricane rebuilding program, Harry Connick Jr. , and Branford Marsalis are honorary chairs, and one of the many projects along the Gulf Coast, is the Musicians' Village at New Orleans Habitat for Humanity .

Collegiate Challenge

          Habitat for Humanity runs a year-round alternative break program known as Collegiate Challenge for student groups age 16 and up. Although summer, fall, and winter break trips are available, most participants (primarily college students ) go during their spring break . Collegiate Challenge volunteers travel to affiliates throughout the U.S. and participate in week-long building activities at their host's work sites. Over 12,000 volunteers took part in Collegiate Challenge in 2004 , making it one of the world's largest alternative break programs: Since its inception in 1989 , over 100,000 students have participated in Collegiate Challenge.

Global Village Trips

          As suggested by the name, Habitat for Humanity International places a strong emphasis on building outside the United States . Its international character dates back even before its formal inception, as founder Millard Fuller received considerable inspiration while on a three-year trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire ) during which he and his family sought to apply Koinonia principles outside the limits of the small Georgia farm .
          Volunteers today can build with Habitat affiliates throughout the world on Global Village Trips. After having gone through training, trip leaders organize travel plans with the support of the Americus-headquartered Global Village Department, first formally established in 1988. Participants from all over are then able to register for trips to their destination of choice. Teams generally number between eight and fifteen, with trips usually last between nine to fourteen days.
          When people of different faiths and cultures come together to build a house, individuals learn from and find new respect for one another. Coming together for the common goal of building a house with a neighbor in need has proven to be a successful way for bringing healing to divided communities and creating a sense of cross cultural unity.

Making it Better in the Long Term with Solar

          There are many projects that go hand in hand with the house building projects that allow these homes to supply their own electricity through the use of solar. US companies such as Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to provide complete solar grids for a few homes. There are also other solar projects, mostly in the US , like one in San Francisco , as well as normal citizens that are trying to make a difference by raising funds to get more of these solar homes built.

Home Builders Blitz

Jimmy Carter Work Project

          Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter became involved with Habitat for Humanity in 1984 and has since become its most high-profile proponent. He has been involved in fund-raising and publicity as well as actual home-building, taking part in the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project "blitz build".The 2006 Jimmy Carter Work Project took place from 30 October 2006 to 4 November 2006 in Lonavala , India . More than 2,000 volunteers from India and abroad joined Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in the construction of 101 homes.

Women Build

          Originating in 1991 with a Charlotte, North Carolina home built by an entirely female crew of volunteers, Habitat's Women Build program has the stated aim of empowering women to participate in Habitat's mission and to introduce them to home construction, a traditionally male-dominated field. Habitat volunteers have completed over 350 Women Build homes within the United States .

Habitat ReStore

          Habitat ReStores are retail outlets that re-sell new and used building and household materials donated by large companies, job sites, and individuals. The sale of these building materials in turn supports local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. For some Habitat affiliates, the ReStores generate sufficient revenue to cover all admistrative costs of the affiliate. This means that every dollar donated to the organization goes directly to homebuilding, and not to pay for overhead such as administrative costs. This is a big deal, as some other non-profits spend a high percentage of donated dollars on administrative costs such as salaries and rent. This is true for Habitat for Humanity Toronto ( Canada ). Their three ReStores generate enough money to pay for all administrative costs, and the surplus is used to build homes.

Who Says You Can't Go Home

Criticism

Ousting of the founder

          Habitat's founder, Millard Fuller, and his wife were dismissed by the Habitat board of directors on January 31 , 2005 after he was accused of "suggestive comments and inappropriate touching" toward a female employee during a ride to the Atlanta airport in 2003. HFH now says there was insufficient evidence to corroborate the complaint, and it now appears that the firing was due to a change in corporate culture.
          Before Fuller's termination, attempts were made by former President Jimmy Carter to broker an agreement that would allow Fuller to retire with his $79,000 salary intact; when Fuller was found to have violated the non-disclosure portion of this agreement, he was subsequently fired.In response to his dismissal from the project he founded, Fuller has established The Fuller Center for Housing .
          The Fuller Center for Housing , faith driven and Christ centered, promotes collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide. TFCH has programs in 35 U.S. communities and in 12 countries around the world. Some affiliates of Habitat for Humanity, disenchanted with the new policies of HFHI, have disaffiliated from it, and joined the Fuller Center for Housing.

Conflicts with Affiliates

          In January 2008 a dispute arose between the parent organization and an unspecified number of local Habitat for Humanity affiliate organizations over the terms of their cooperation agreement. Local affiliates contended that the agreement gave the international organization too much power over the assets and operations of the local chapters.

See also

Interior design

What buildings do interior designers work on? What is interior design?

          Interior designers plan many different types of spaces including, but not limited to: offices, airport terminals, theatres, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and private residences. Interior design is not to be confused with interior decoration which is focussed on choosing color palettes with complementary furniture, flooring, window coverings, artwork, and lighting. Today, interior designers must be attuned to architectural detailing including: floor plans, home renovations, and construction codes. Interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology , architecture , and product design in addition to traditional decoration . An interior designer is a person who designs interiors as part of their job. Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents.

Size of the industry

           In the UK , the value of the products the interior design industry specifies is estimated at £15 billion/ year, with an estimated 5000 design practices.

Specializations

Disciplines

          There is a wide range of disciplines within the career of interior design. Some of the disciplines include: structure, function, specialized performance, special group needs, discipline needed for business, computer technology, presentation skills, craft skills, social disciplines, promotional disciplines, professional disciplines, aesthetic disciplines, and disciplines with cultural implications. This list shows how interior designing encompasses many different disciplines and requires both education in science and technology as well as being creative.

Design Process

          Regardless of the building-type the process is identical. The first step is determining the client's objectives, timescale and budget. This is called taking a Brief. The objective is nearly always to improve revenue for the client - even householders will be considering the resale value of their home. The designer will then provide a Fee Proposal which outlines their design input and the cost for this. It will be made clear whether the interior design practice will procure goods and/or project manage and the costs or margins for this also. Working drawings are required prior to any design work, these are detailed survey drawings of the existing space. The very first step once commissioned on the project will be creating these drawings if none already exist.
          Today, designers use computer-aided design (CAD) although hand sketches are still valued for their "personality". CAD is a programme used to communicate design solutions in realistic views at various angles. This programme eliminates long hours of hand-drawing and sketching.
          Following the survey and working drawing, the initial concepts will be presented to the client for approval. If approved this is followed by the floor plans and then the detailed specifications of all alterations, finishes and furnishings. It is probable that doors, windows and walls will be repositioned. Also, of major importance is the approach to the building - so the exterior is always considered along with the interior design.
          Naturally, only if the design practice handles procurement or project management will they take on these roles. Many design specifications will be included in a tender package which will ultimately be used by a building contractor, or fit-out contractor as it is often called, to fulfil the design for the client. The on-site stage of the design can be many months or even years after the design specification is completed.

Working Conditions

          The working conditions and places of employment vary within the career of interior design. Large corporations that hire interior designers usually provide regular day-to-day working hours. Designers for smaller firms usually work on a contract, or job basis. Designers frequently adjust their working hours to suit client's needs, which could result in working over time, in the evening, or on the weekends. Self employed designers usually work the most hours. Interior designers work under stress to meet deadlines, stay on budgets, and meet clients' needs. Self-employed designers are under pressure to find clients to provide for themselves an income. Traveling to different locations, studios, or clients' homes and offices is something often done. With the aid of computer technology the process of contacting clients and communicating design alternatives has become a lot easier and requires less travel.

Training

          Postsecondary education , especially a bachelor's degree , is recommended for positions in interior design. Within the United States there are 24 states, the District of Columbia , and Puerto Rico , that have some form of interior design legislation with regard to title and practice. The National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) administers a licensing exam. To be eligible to take the exam, a candidate must have a minimum of six years of combined education and experience in the field, where at least two years includes postsecondary education. Once the examination has been successfully taken, the designer may indicate that they are an NCIDQ certificate holder. In certain jurisdictions, this is linked to the ability to practice or self-identify as an interior designer. The laws vary greatly across the United States and in some jurisdictions, NCIDQ certification is required in order for the designer to call themselves a Certified, Registered, or Licensed Interior Designer. In others, however, there are no minimum qualifications and anyone with a desire to do so may call themselves an interior designer. Continuing education is required by some states as part of maintaining a license.
          Alabama has recently rolled back legislation regarding the licensing and practice of interior design. It is important to note that there is a difference between title acts which restrict who can call themselves an interior designer and practice acts that limit who can actually practice activities defined as within the scope of interior design.


Earnings

            Interior design earnings vary based on employer, number of years with experience, and the reputation of the individual. Interior designers within the specialization of architectural design tend to earn higher and more stable salaries. For residential projects, self-employed interior designers usually earn a per-minute fee plus a percentage of the total cost of furniture, lighting, artwork, and other design elements. For commercial projects, they may charge per-hour fees, or a flat fee for the whole project. The median annual earnings for interior designers in the year 2004 was $40,670. The middle 50% earned between $30,890 and $53,795.

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