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Sustainable Building Integration
Depending on whether you are looking at a brand new building or a retrofit, sustainable building integration (SBI) from the onset of any construction will provide the most economical environmentally sound options available to you. A few extra considerations at the onset of the project and a longer-view of its lifespan will provide not only a more complete building system integrated with its use and environment, but also provide you with the fastest return of your initial investment.
SBI includes not only the final constructed product, but the methods in its construction. Almost like a mantra, the following statement has to hold true throughout the design and building process:
Our building is not an isolated entity, but a constructed integral piece of our built environment.
This also means that our building has a far greater reach of its impact than just its surroundings. The construction methods and construction parts comprising the entire process needs to be considered. The appropriate methods by which our products were generated needs to be as environmentally sounds as possible. For example, if we select bamboo flooring (inherently a sustainable material) that bamboo flooring needs to be harvested, prepared, and shipped with as little negative-impact as possible. As you can see, our selection has a far greater reach than just our building. We cannot possibly control everything, but luckily we can control the market through our purchasing power in a direction of our choosing.
While we are on the topic, budget is one of the single-most determinants in a construction and the strongest argument against "building green." The notion that our one dollar buys us one dollar's worth of building is deeply rooted. It can be difficult to imagine that our one dollar is not just a piece of currency in a moment of time, but has value less than or greater than tomorrow or next year.
We'll give a brief example of what we mean: If we had a choice to buy an average pencil for 50 cents that lasts 6 months versus a high quality pencil for 75 cents that lasts one year, which pencil is "cheaper?" We know we'll be using the pencil all year so we will have saved 25 cents by buying one quality product than two standard-ones. Our dollar had more value from the onset of that purchase. It may have cost slightly more in the beginning, but had projected staying power and therefore made better use if it. Our buildings are the same way - they are not a single one-time purchase in a moment of time, but a long-term monetary and environmental investment. Refer to our Return of Investment area for a quick guide in alternate energy cost analysis.
Some key principles to consider are the following:
We will set up a step by step arena which you can refer to in making sure you've covered all possible areas of building-sustainability but nothing can replace the experts in your area who can guide you in the permitting and construction process. If you're so inclined, a LEED certification will give you peace of mind that you have followed a set of established guidelines which is you can "sell."
Some areas which you can visit for energy-related information are the following:
Renovus energy - solar, wind, hydro info and faq
WERC - solar, wind, hydro info and faq
Construction methods:
Construction consultants: