This document provides an introduction to green building and construction. It defines green building as creating structures and processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient. Green building addresses the environment, economy, and equality. The benefits of green building include reducing environmental impact, improving indoor air quality, greater energy efficiency, access to incentives, and higher property values. Green strategies are categorized as site characteristics, water efficiency, energy efficiency, building materials, indoor air quality, and construction procedures. A short quiz tests knowledge of these concepts.

1. T H E B A S I C S I N G R E E N D E S I G N A N D
G R E E N C O N S T R U C T I O N
P A R T 1
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Green Building 101

2. Introduction
In this series we are going to discuss what green
building is and explore some of the general strategies
used in this type of construction.
This is meant as an introductory course, so there
won’t be a lot of detail presented.
Resources are listed at the end of each episode for
those who want more information.
Thanks for viewing!
Photo courtesy of Daren through a Creative Commons
License
2

3. What is Green Building?
 According to the Environmental Protection Agency,
Green Building is:
the practice of creating structures and using processes that are
environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout
a building's life-cycle from site selection to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and
deconstruction.
 Green building addresses the three Es:
 Environment – protecting and encouraging it
 Economy – local resources
 Equality – social responsibility
Photo courtesy of dno1967b through a Creative Commons License
3

4. Why Build Green?
Green building is becoming
the new standard for how
buildings are built. For
example, California
adopted a green building
code (CALGreen) in 2010
for all new structures.
Photo courtesy of Moyan Brenn through a Creative Commons License. Logo courtesy of ca.gov
4

5. Why Build Green?
 Green building helps
reduce greenhouse gas
and carbon production,
preserves natural
resources and habitats,
and reduces waste.
Photo courtesy of Natesh Ramasamy through a Creative Commons License
5

6. Why Build Green?
 Buildings built
sustainably have better
indoor air quality.
 The reduced level of
allergens and toxins in
the indoor environment
helps people feel better
and leads to increased
productivity and feelings
of well-being in work
environments.
Photos courtesy of John Liu and Alan Clark through a Creative
Commons License
6

7. Why Build Green?
 Green buildings are
generally more energy
efficient than traditional
ones (up to 50% or
more).
 This is due to:
 efficient equipment +
 better systems design +
 proper equipment sizing +
 tightly sealed building =
reduced need for heating
and cooling
Photos courtesy of Philip Shoffner and Andy Melton
through a Creative Commons License
7

8. Why Build Green?
 Sustainable materials are comparable in quality to
many of their non-sustainable counterparts.
 Often they are even more durable and/or have other
characteristics that make them more desirable. For
example, cork is naturally antimicrobial, making it
perfect for kitchen and bathroom flooring.
Photos courtesy of Shelton Keys Dunning and UTC Library through a Creative Commons License
8

9. Why Build Green?
 Many states and local
utilities have programs
offering tax credits and
rebates for sustainable
building components.
 For example, Oregon has
tax credit programs for
both commercial and
residential buildings.
 Local utilities in the area
offer rebates for energy
efficient installations and
retrofits.
Photo courtesy of Mike Chaput through a Creative
Commons License
9

10. Why Build Green?
 Several studies have
shown that commercial
spaces in green buildings
receive higher lease rates
and have lower
vacancies.
Photo courtesy of Heather Clemons through a Creative
Commons License
10

11. Green Strategies
Green building strategies can be broken up into six
categories:
1. Site Characteristics
2. Water Efficiency
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Building Materials
5. Indoor Air Quality
6. Construction Procedures
11

12. Green Strategies
 Site Characteristics: This category deals with issues
related to the ground the building is built on and its
location; such as the size and shape of the building,
which direction it is oriented, connection to public
transportation and community, and the amount of
disturbance of the natural environment that is
caused by the project.
Photos courtesy of Jinx! and Mr TinDC through a
Creative Commons License
12

13. Green Strategies
 Water Efficiency: As the name suggests, here we will
be looking at ways to make water use more efficient.
This includes domestic water use (drinking, cooking,
washing, flushing), and irrigation.
Photos courtesy of Jerome Pagunsan and Sarah Rifaat
through a Creative Commons License
13

14. Green Strategies
 Energy Efficiency: This is probably the number one
concern of most building owners, as it translates
directly into operating costs. Building energy
efficiency is affected not only by the systems and
appliances inside, but also by the construction of the
outside of the building and how well it is sealed and
insulated.
Photos courtesy of Andy Melton and Jack Amick through a
Creative Commons License
14

15. Green Strategies
 Building Materials: Materials selection is very
important in determining how sustainable a building
is. There are many factors to look at, including:
 source of the material
 chemicals used to make it
 transportation of the material
 processes and materials used to install it.
Photos courtesy of Ryan Holst and Incase through a
Creative Commons License
15

16. Green Strategies
 Indoor Air Quality: Selecting materials without
added chemicals and using proper material handling
techniques can greatly affect the quality of the indoor
environment.
 Using proper ventilation, improved filtration, and
environmentally friendly cleaning materials and
methods can help to offset any detrimental effects.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Dillingham through a
Creative Commons License
16

17. Green Strategies
 Construction Procedures: The way a building is
constructed can have a great effect on its
sustainability.
 Recycling refuse and demolition waste can lower the
environmental footprint, as can using proper
construction cleaning procedures.
 There are also some special building techniques that
can reduce the amount of building materials needed.
Photo courtesy of ArmchairBuilder.com through a
Creative Commons License
17

18. Summary
18
 Green building is environmentally responsible and
resource efficient.
 The six categories of strategies include:
 1. Site Characteristics
 2. Water Efficiency
 3. Energy Efficiency
 4. Building Materials
 5. Indoor Air Quality
 6. Construction Procedures
 A short quiz follows so you can test your knowledge.

19. Knowledge Measurement
 Thanks for your interest in learning about Green
Building. If you want to test what you’ve learned
about this subject, try your hand at the five multiple
choice questions in the next slides.
 Resources for additional information are available on
slide 29.
19

20. 1. What are the 3 Es concerning green building?
A. Environment, Economy, Equality
B. Energy, Efficiency, Excellence
C. Electricity, Energy, Environment
D. Excellent quality, Energy efficiency, Economically
smart
20

21. 1. Answer
A. Green building addresses the three Es:
• Environment – protecting and encouraging it
• Economy – local resources
• Equality – social responsibility
See slide #3
21

22. 2. How does green building most affect indoor air quality?
A. Improves how well the structure is ventilated
B. Reduces the level of toxins and allergens
C. Uses HVAC systems that do not use forced air
D. Controls pets and indoor plants
22

23. 2. Answer
B. The reduced level of allergens and toxins in the
indoor environment helps people feel better and
leads to increased productivity and feelings of well-
being in work environments.
See slide #6
23

24. 3. What are the biggest factors affecting energy efficiency?
A. Efficient equipment
B. Tightly sealed buildings
C. Properly-sized equipment
D. All of the above
24

25. 3. Answer
D. Green buildings are generally more energy efficient
than traditional ones due to efficient equipment,
better systems design, proper equipment sizing,
and a tightly sealed building.
See slide #7
25

26. 4. What are the six categories of green building strategies?
A. Sustainability, Waste Management, Personnel,
Design, Green Materials, Construction Experience
B. Environmental Footprint, Stewardship,
Craftsmanship, Design, Experience, Personnel
C. Waste Management, Methods, Design, Awards,
Energy Efficiency, Workforce Quality
D. Site Characteristics, Water Efficiency, Building
Materials, Indoor Air Quality, Construction
Procedures
26

27. 4. Answer
D. Six green building six categories include:
1. Site Characteristics
2. Water Efficiency
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Building Materials
5. Indoor Air Quality
6. Construction Procedures
See slide #11
27

28. 5. Four key factors in looking at building materials include:
A. Source of material, chemicals used to make it,
material transportation, processes & materials used
to install it
B. Source, organic, certification, sustainability,
expense
C. Competitive cost factors, source of materials, how
materials were manufactured, chemicals used to
make it
D. Material durability, installation protocol, cost,
USGBC approval
28

29. 5. Answer
A. Source of material, chemicals used to make it,
material transportation, processes & materials used
to install it
See slide #15
29

30. What’s Coming Up
In the next episode, we will begin to look at different
green building strategies, starting with Site
Characteristics.
Resources:
EPA Site http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/about.htm
CALGreen http://www.bsc.ca.gov/Home/CALGreen.aspx
Green Building Incentives (United States) http://www.dsireusa.org/
30