Sustainable Building Construction
Sustainable building construction or Green building, also known as eco-friendly, refers to the use of processes or best practices that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s lifecycle including the use of materials.
Sustainable building processes include site or building location, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
It is also referred to as close cooperation among the design team, architects, engineers, LEED or Energy Star rater, builder, and owner at all stages of a project.
These are not new but evolved processes from classical building design, to manage concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.
Four Primary Programs or Codes
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – A set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
National Green Building Standard (NGBS) ICC 700 – A collaborative effort between the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and International Code Council (ICC) that provides green practices that can be applied to new homes such as high-rise multifamily buildings, home remodeling and additions, hotels and motels and the site upon which the green homes are located.
International Green Construction Code (IgCC) – The ICC’s IgCC is an overlay code, meaning it is written in a manner to be used with all other ICC codes. The IgCC contains provisions for site development and land use, energy efficiency, water conservation, material resource conservation and efficiency, indoor environmental quality and comfort, commissioning and operations and maintenance and existing buildings.
ENERGY STAR – The EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for certified new homes provides a framework for building homes that meet strict energy efficiency requirements.