Sustainable Design Blog

Well... Do you want to be green, or do you want to be GREEN?

A green building consultant specializes in sustainable design and LEED certified projects. They may also have expertise in other green building rating systems and Energy Star.

For inexperienced project teams, the consultant can lead the entire team through the entire process. For more experienced teams the consultant may assist with any aspect of the project; from establishing sustainability goals at a project kick off meeting to documentation in the LEED online system when construction is completed.

Basically, a green building consultant will either make or break your project.

Basic requirements:

The first key to success is to look for a company that has experience working with the LEED family of certification products including, New Construction (NC), Commercial Interiors (CI), Core & Shell (CS), Schools, Homes, and Existing Buildings (EB&OM) that fits the scope of your project.

It's helpful if they have experience in all of those areas, because it means they're exposed to a lot more, which may prove to be useful for you. Either way, look for a company that has LEED Accredited Professionals on staff. The firm itself cannot be LEED Accredited, but the people performing the work can be.

What your Eco Consultant can do for you:

Facilitate early design “Eco-Charrette(s)” establish sustainability goals

This is a dynamic and interactive “workshop” or brain storming session or sessions where the entire project team gets together and determines then plans the key elements of the project. (Get more from Carlson on this by clicking HERE)

Establish Owners Project Requirements

This is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project.

Basis of Design documentation

This includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner’s requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations and guidelines.

Preliminary LEED Checklist evaluation

Use the checklist as a tool to evaluate all aspects of the design

LEED Project registration

An on line process to register the project with GBCI and gain access to the credit templates and complete certification process.

Specification review and assistance

The consultant should have experience writing specs and directing the contractor on how to document the credits that they will be responsible to document.   

Design Consulting

If the consultant has architects on staff, they can help integrate the sustainable design concepts into the building design.    The key here is to let the green building design goals inform the design form the start.  A critical mistake that is often made by project teams is to come up with a design for the building and then try apply green features to the design to chase credits.

Document review at each phase

It is important to check your progress against the certification criteria at each step of the way including schematic design, design development and construction documents.  The process continues during the construction phase in the shop drawing process and final documentation at the end of construction.

LEED Certification Documentation

This is an on line process that the entire project team will need to participate in.  It is important that the effort be led by someone who has experience.

Public Relations and marketing support for LEED projects

Green projects have great stories to tell.  Tell your story with the help of an expert in marketing and public relations.

Integrated Design Process

The consultant may lead integrated design process, bringing all the stake holders of a project together early in the process, to work together for the shared success of the project.  Owners, architects, engineers, contractors, facility mangers, community stakeholders, and building users all can have meaningful contributions to the design and construction process.  

It's important to remember that buildings are not comprised of isolated components or functioning as independent silos. Each system in a building interacts with other systems, the building users, and the environment itself.  Using the integrated design process, and thinking about the “whole system” leverages the complex and complementary interactions of the building components, which leads to synergies between systems and ultimately increased energy and water savings, as well as a more healthy, productive and creative environments to live or work in.  

Sustainability Goals

Each project and client has different sustainability goals.  A good consultant will help you establish those goals and help you understand what is truly important to you for your project.

I have worked with many clients, and they each have a unique combination of sustainability goals for their project. It could be any number of the following:

• A desire to reduce operation and maintenance costs as much as practical while limiting the impact to the first cost of a project
• Maybe net-zero energy is a must
• Maybe increased productivity or a better indoor environmental quality is a high priority

Design features

Lower energy bills lead directly to operational savings and a return on investment that can be calculated and consider by the owner, and compared to the initial construction costs.  

There are many passive design features, such as proper building orientation, an energy efficient building envelope, or the proper use of natural daylight that do not add cost, but have significant performance and cost benefits over the life of a building.   Active systems such as efficient cooling systems, water saving fixtures and photovoltaics all work better when they are integrated into a project that is already doing all the passive and subtle things properly.

CONCLUSION:

Everyone these days is a “green building expert”.  Many have now recognized that the “trend” that they thought would pass is not going away and have recently jumped on board. This dilution has made it a bit challenging to sort through the rif-raff, but if you ask the right questions, you will get the right team.

When evaluating a green building consultant, look at their leadership and commitment. Look at how long the people and company have been involved, and if they are a leader or a follower in this space.

Interested in a free green building design assessment for consultation services? Click HERE to schedule a call with Carlson today!

What are some green building materials that many builders are unaware of?

We could probably spend this and several more blogs discussing what green materials actually are, but I will let you decide that, and get on with some of the materials we have been using over the past 15 years in our sustainable design work.

This comes after receiving a lot of great direct feedback from posting this article by Peter Hortsman on the same subject (Must-Have Construction Material Made from Recyclables by Carlson Studio Architecture).

Building materials are constantly being improved or replaced with better materials, and because the modern sustainable building industry in the United States has been around for a couple of decades now, we have great materials that are already proven, and I'm going to share some of those that are a little less commonly known but very good for our planet.

How we got here:

What we have seen, beginning with the launch of the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED V2.0 green building rating system, is that manufactures are addressing this market sector in so many ways, both for the homeowner and the professional.

For example, back in 2002 when we tried to specify products that recycled content, or low VOC’s, the manufacturer’s themselves did not have that information available to their sales force. More than a decade later, however, this has changed. Now this information is published in all the product specs, and you can even buy sustainable building materials at your local Lowes or Home Depot store.

But educate yourself before you shop, because there is still a lot of green washing out there, and just because a label leads you to believe it's good for the planet, that doesn't mean it actually is!

1. Your Walls

First, let’s look at how we build a wall.  Historically, our 2 options have typically been wood-framed (sometimes called stick framed), or concrete block (CMU). Today, however, we have so many more choices that provide a higher performing, proven building envelope, such as:

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF):

ICFs are over-sized, Styrofoam blocks that get filled with reinforcing steel (rebar) and concrete to create a very strong, tightly sealed, and well-insulated wall system. They will arrive as individual “Lego” style blocks and are assembled on-site.  They may also be used for foundation walls if there is a basement. Some examples of ICF systems include:

• Quad-Lock  http://www.quadlock.com
• Fox Block http://www.foxblocks.com/  

We used Fox Block on our design for the 2009 HGTV Green Home project in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs):

SIPs are a panelized wall system, filled with rigid foam with a skin on both sides of either wood, such as oriented strand board (OSB, is an engineered wood particle board formed by adding adhesives and then compressing layers of wood strands) or an aluminum skin. This wall is also very strong, tightly sealed, and well-insulated.

It is typically manufactured off-site and is delivered as panels already sized and shaped to create the design. (like a 3D puzzle with all the pieces numbered) Our favorite:

• Murus - for more info on SIPs at http://www.murus.com/

We used Murus SIPS on our Birch Haven Residence green building design in Michigan.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC):

AACs come in both panels and blocks:

• (see http://www.cement.org/think-harder-concrete-/homes/building-systems/autoclaved-aerated-concrete)

Straw Bale construction (just like it sounds)

Wood Chip Cement:

• forms like Faswall (http://faswall.com), which is a bit like an ICF, but the forms are made of wood chips.

We used AAC panels and blocks on our LEED Gold certified office project, Twin Lakes Park.

Say "no" to particle board:

Particle Board is one of the nastiest things you can put into your office or home. It is full of VOCs, and Urea Formaldehyde. Particle Board can off-gas these chemicals into your home or office for a year after they are installed! There are better options now:

• Skyblend Particle Board is a good option http://www.roseburg.com/Product/skyblend-particleboard/
• Columbia Forest Products http://www.columbiaforestproducts.com/resources/green-products-or-green-standards/# makes plywood, particle boards and veneers that are a healthy alternative to the old particle boards you are familiar with

2. Your Flooring

Flooring is another amazing topic, because there are so many great options available to us, and this is where great strides can be made in your quest for green.

• Bamboo is a rapidly renewable, hardwood flooring system.  (You can also make cabinets from bamboo plywood).
• Cork is a wonderful flooring system that is easy on your feet, and soft on the acoustics in the space as well. Cork flooring is available in both commercial and residential grades.
• Carpet tile is a great choice for many reasons. It can be made from recycled materials such as plastic soda bottles. It can be reclaimed at the end of its life and recycled into new carpet, and if an area gets damaged, only the damaged tiles need to be replaced.  We use it almost anytime we specify carpet.

3. Everywhere else

So many green materials and so little time…  Here are some more materials you may not know about.

• Ceramic tile made with recycled glass
• Spray Foam insulation (instead of using fiberglass batts)
• FSC Certified wood products: Forest Stewardship Council, https://us.fsc.org/en-us
• Greenguard Certified products- http://greenguard.org/en/index.aspx
• Find products at http://productguide.ulenvironment.com/QuickSearch.aspx
• Cradle to Cradle products-  http://www.c2ccertified.org/
• Find products at http://www.c2ccertified.org/products/registry

It is not hard to find good green materials. Rely on those good third party, independent agencies to help you along and point you in the right direction. Put your money where your month is and support the companies that make healthy and sustainable products. If your favorite brands are not doing the right thing, ask them to.

There is no need to take a chance on an unproven product these days, unless you enjoy being an early adopter.  And, of course, when it is time to design your new home or office, work with an architect that has decades of experience evaluating and using the best green materials in your area.  

CONCLUSION:

Green building materials can be many things. Depending on your personal definition, that could mean they are local or regional, they have recycled content, they are easily recycled at end for life, they are non-toxic and low chemical, they conserve water or energy, and I'm sure you can continue adding to that list.

Everyday items that you may not think of as green often have a green option that is readily available. Things like paints, caulks, adhesives, glues, stains, and sealants all have low VOC (Volatile Organic compounds), low toxic, low chemical options.  Many are off the shelf.  Some you may need to order.  

Whatever you do, do everything you can to keep VOCs out of your home and office.

Interested in learning more about how to incorporate green into the build of your next home or commercial building? Set up a free consultation with Carlson Studio Architecture today!

Are you designing your home and thinking about going green?

First of all, congratulations! Whether building your first home or one of many, it's an exciting time when we get start scratching down ideas for a new project. Second of all, a little pat on the back for exploring green home design! 

If you are building a new home in Florida or somewhere with a similar climate (humid, hot, sunny, and the occassional tropical storm), you may want to consider a few things in order to maximize the energy efficiency of your home.  The size, shape, and orientation of your home are extremely important, and when building new, it's a great time to address these and other important concerns.

Here are four worth considering for the design of your new green home!

1. Size

Of course, it naturally makes sense that the smaller your home, the less energy is needed to cool and occasionally heat it. So, in terms of being environmentally conscious, we want to help you get the most use out of your space, and not end up with areas that don’t get used.

"The bigger the space, the more energy it will take to heat and cool it."

In fact, one of the qualifying factors for LEED accreditation is whether the structure is sized appropriately, so although it may seem intuitive, not everybody sees “the right fit” as being good enough, and therefore, we end up with over-sized, and inefficient structures.

2. Shape & orientation

In terms of shape, a simple, compact home is always the most efficient as well, especially if you run the long axis of the house east and west.  This is because when the sun is at its lowest point (at sunrise and sunset), the angle of the sun penetrates your home the most directly, making for an uncomfortable experience both visually and in regards to heat gain.  

To avoid this scenario, it is a good idea to have fewer windows on these facades and plan your spaces out accordingly to avoid having morning activities on the east side of your home and evening activities on the west side of your home.  This will keep your home cooler since it will reduce your direct sun exposure.  

As the sun travels from east to west, it also travels along the southern hemisphere.  The sun travels lower in the winter and higher in the summer, but always along the southern hemisphere.  Planting trees on southern side of your home can keep your home cooler as they will block sunlight from falling directly on your home.   

3. Construction materials

Let’s not forget about the materials you’re using to build it! The use of ENERGY STAR qualified windows will reduce the heat gain into your home, as will shading devices over your windows, allowing views to our beautiful sunsets without the downside.

Insulation is another important item to consider. By sealing and insulating your home envelope (outer walls, ceiling, windows) you can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. Heating and cooling a home account for 50% of your home’s energy consumption.

As a sustainable architecture firm, of course we at Carlson Studio Architecture are going to advise you to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  If you are building or remodeling, reduce your need for buying new products that are not environmentally friendly.  Every part of your house such as roofing material, building material, cabinets, and counters should be environmentally friendly. Reuse your old material such as wood floors, and doors when remodeling. Recycled materials such as glass, aluminum, tile, reclaimed lumber, and plastic can be used. Or try natural products such as bamboo, cork and linoleum which are made of natural, renewable materials.

MORE LIKE THIS: Why Choose a Green Roofing System

4. Create

Other items to consider using in your home may be to harvest rainwater from roofs by using rain barrels. The collected water can then be used for toilets, sprinkler systems, or just watering your plants.  Consider tankless water heaters that can save on energy cost since it heats only that much water that is needed as it is passed through electric coil.

Consider a programmable thermostat in order to adjust your home’s temperature for times when you’re regularly away or sleeping. A slight 3-5 % of your energy bill can be saved if you can set your thermostat 1 degree down when using your heat and up by 1 degree when air-conditioning your house.

Water conserving fixtures such as low flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads are a few of the ways that you can conserve water and cut down on your water bills cost. And lastly, solar panels are a hot technology for utilizing the natural power all around us, the sun.  Solar panels may be expensive at first but they have been shown to offset 50% of your energy demand and net 60% or more off your monthly bill.

CONCLUSION:

Even after you build your home, you can install energy-saving features, such as LED and CFL lighting. Yes, they cost more upfront but use a lot less energy and last significantly longer than traditional incandescent bulbs resulting in significant cost savings in the long run. And installing Energy Efficient Appliances in your home with the ENERGY STAR label on them will give you a significant cost and energy savings without compromising performance.  

Designing a green home means keeping sustainability at heart every step of the way throughout the design process and construction.

Interested in learning more? Download this free ebook by Carlson Studio Architecture about how to get your green home ideas off the ground: