2. SBLT 101
An introduction to the theory and practice of sustainable design and building construction. This
course will explore the meaning of sustainability and how it is applied to architectural design
and building construction in the context of ecology, economy, and social equity.
3. Learning Outcomes
Identify the differences between conventional and sustainable construction and design.
Communicate effectively on the topics of sustainable design and construction.
Understand sustainable design precedents and history of the green building movement.
Identify and understand the structure of various green building rating systems.
Understand the sustainable design and construction process.
Understand the effects of sustainable design and construction both locally and globally.
Possess the foundation necessary to enhance your education in both sustainable design and
construction.
Successfully work in a team and small groups to complete assignments and projects.
4. Syllabus
Free Student Resources
Textbooks
Class Calendar
Academic Dishonesty
Attendance
Electronic Devices
Homework
Disability Services
Community Service
General Education Portfolio
My Contact Info:
◦ 304-553-4910 (cell)
◦ jill.watkins@bridgevalley.edu
5. About me
B.S. in Interior Design, 1993
NCIDQ Certified, 1997
LEED AP BD+C, 2003
Watkins Design Works, LLC
U.S. Green Building Council
◦ WV Chapter Chair
6. Introduction
Key indicators that the green building movement is here to stay, and not merely a fad:
◦ Green building now dominates the design and construction markets worldwide
◦ Broader awareness of climate change
◦ Green building concepts are imbedded in building codes
◦ Large projects by Google, Apple and others showcase green building
9. Rationale for green buildings
Sustainable construction provides an ethical and practical response to issues of environmental
impact and resource consumption.
Green buildings virtually always make economic sense on a life cycle cost basis, even though
they might be more expensive on a capital or first-cost basis.
Sustainable design acknowledges the potential effect of the building, including its operation, on
the health of its occupants.
10. State and local guidelines
Pennsylvania
North Carolina
New York City
Chicago
Boston
California
San Francisco
Ohio
11. Trends and barriers to green building
TRENDS
Growth of LEED and the USGBC
Strong federal leadership
Public and private incentives
Expansion of state and local guidelines
Industry professionals taking action to educate
members and integrate best practices
Business capitalizing on green building
benefits
Advances in green building technology
BARRIERS
Financial disincentives
◦ Lack of LCC analysis and use
◦ Real and perceived higher first costs
◦ Budget separation between capital and
operating costs
◦ Security and sustainability seen as trade-offs
◦ Inadequate funding for public school facilities
Insufficient research
◦ Inadequate research funding
◦ Insufficient research on productivity and health
14. May 9, 2013
CO2 levels reach 400 parts per million for the first time in human history
Last time was 800,000 years ago
Prior to 1760, CO2 levels averaged 280 ppm
By 1958, levels reached 310 ppm
Climate change is today’s dominant environmental issue
15. Driving forces
Destruction of Earth’s environment and ecosystems and enormous increases in population and
consumption.
Increasing demand for natural resources by both developed and underdeveloped countries.
Green building coincides with similar transformations in other industries like manufacturing,
tourism, agriculture, medicine, and the public sector.
16. Ethics and sustainability
Classic definition of sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Intergenerational justice
Distributional equity
The Precautionary Principle
The Reversibility Principle
Polluter Pays / Producer Responsibility
Protecting the vulnerable
Rights of the nonhuman world
Respect for nature / the land ethic
17. Basic concepts and vocabulary
Sustainable development
Biomimicry
Design for the environment
Carrying capacity
Ecological footprint
“Meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.” – Our Common
Future, 1987
18. Basic concepts and vocabulary
Biophilia
Eco-efficiency
Life-cycle assessment
Life-cycle costing
Embodied Energy
19. Basic concepts and vocabulary
Biophilia
Eco-efficiency
Life-cycle assessment
Life-cycle costing
Embodied Energy
20. Basic concepts and vocabulary
Biophilia
Eco-efficiency
Life-cycle assessment
Life-cycle costing
Embodied Energy
Maintenance
Costs
Operating
Costs
Disposal
Costs
Initial
Cost
Service
Costs
21. Major environmental concerns
Climate change
Deforestation, desertification, soil erosion
Eutrophication, acidification
Loss of biodiversity
Toxic substances and endocrine disruptors
Depletion of metal stocks
22. History of the green building movement
Rachel Carsen’s
book, Silent
Spring,
published in
1962
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency was
created and the
first Earth Day
celebrated in
1970
Oil embargo of
the early 1970’s
sparked
discussions of
energy efficiency,
solar technology,
etc.
Federal tax
credits and
government-
funded
development of
new
technologies in
mid 1970’s
New energy
standards and
building codes
late 1970’s
The Brundtland
Report, Our
Common
Future, 1987
UN World
Commission on
Environment
and
Development
American
Institute of
Architects
established
Committee on
the
Environment in
1989
UN Rio
Conference,
1992,
Conference on
Sustainable
Development
23. History of the green building movement
1985
William McDonough
designs office space
for the Environmental
Defense Fund in NYC
1989
Croxton Collaborative
designs office space
for the Natural
Resources Defense
Council in NYC
1992
Croxton Collaborative
renovates offices for
Audubon Society
1993 Greening of the White House, including
renovation of the Old Executive Office Building
•Saved about $300k / year in energy costs
•Reduced emissions by 845 tons of carbon / year
•Significant reductions in costs for water and solid waste
management
•Spurred other departments to analyze their own
sustainability issues:
•U.S. Postal Service General Services Administration
•Pentagon National Parks Service
•Dept. of Energy U.S. Navy
1993
U.S. Green Building
Council was formed
25. Assessing green buildings
High performance green buildings are defined by the assessment systems that rank and certify
them. Buildings are scored by how well they meet the approach required by each assessment
system.
BREEAM was the first assessment system for buildings, developed in 1990 in the UK
LEED 1.0 launched in 1998
Green Globes and the Living Building Challenge in the U.S.
Other countries’ assessment systems include:
◦ CASBEE in Japan
◦ Green Star in Australia
◦ DGNB/BNB in Germany
◦ …among others (see page 131)
26. Purpose
Building assessment systems score or rate the environmental, resource, and health impacts of a
building’s design, construction, and operation against criteria established by the rating system.
Why go through the process?
Publicly promote high performance buildings, increase market demand, increase a building’s
market value, and improve occupants’ health and productivity.
27. 4. LEED Green Building
Rating System
KIBERT CHAPTER 5 SBLT 101 FALL 2016
28. U.S. Green Building Council
Formed in 1993 by David Gottfried, Rick Fedrizzi and Mike Italiano to promote sustainability
within the built environment.
Mission: To transform the way buidings and communities are designed, built, and operated,
enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous envrionmrnt that
improves quality of life.
Vision: Buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life
within a generation.
29. U.S. Green Building Council
USGBC is a committee-based, membership organization, and focuses on developing consensus
among its members and committees.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system formally
launched in 2000.
In 2008, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) was formed to manage the building
certification process and professional credentialing.
30. U.S. Green Building Council
The USGBC is committed to a prosperous, healthy, and sustainable future through cost-efficient
and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation
through:
◦ LEED Green Building Certification System
◦ A nationwide network of chapters and affiliates
◦ The annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
◦ Advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities
33. LEED green building rating system
A checklist covering all aspects of building
design and construction in 7 categories:
◦ Location and Transportation
◦ Sustainable Sites
◦ Water Efficiency
◦ Energy and Atmosphere
◦ Materials and Resources
◦ Indoor Environmental Quality
◦ Innovation
4 Levels of certification:
◦ Certified = 40-49 points
◦ Silver = 50-59 points
◦ Gold = 60-79 points
◦ Platinum = 80-110 points
