Building Material

Where to build? What to build? Who to have build it?  All of these are important and traditional question regarding a project. While what to build WITH has long been a decision point, it has most often had to do with cost or aesthetics or some combination of both.  As sustainability becomes an increasing concern in all aspects of present life, what you choose to build with takes on new meaning and significance. Green building means many things to many different people, but making choices with the earth's resources, our carbon footprint, and future generations in mind is not only a good thing, it is an essential thing.  Organizations such as the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council)  have created LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications for people and buildings to help communicate the level of sustainability represented in the project.  

WOOD: People will continue to use wood as a primary construction material, but choosing the type of wood can make a significant difference.  Wood that is local will limit the transportation needed to get it on site.  Woods, such as bamboo, grow quickly and selecting them reduces deforestation.  Minimizing of changing the glues used in the construction of plywood and particle board can reduce VOCs improving the air quality of the interior.  Using recycled wood, from old buildings or reclaimed wood can not only result in interesting material, but an earth friendly choice as well.  The TreeHouse in Austin is a hardware store that specialized in sustainable building material with a company bi line of "smart building - better living".  They also specialize in education, helping people make decisions based on personal goals and straight forward information in the areas of savings, health and ecology.

MASONRY: Masonry products such as brick and stone are more naturally sustainable because they are made from earth made material that is not a limited resource like wood.  Concrete, while it falls in to the masonry group, looses some of its sustainable "points" due to the manufacturing process.  In addition to the issue of transportation, concrete production emits VOCs into the environment.  It does remain as a good alternative, however, because it is very durable and more energy efficient that porous building materials. While it is not officially masonry, I must include in this section the use of dirt "bricks".  Made with local dirt and formed by Advanced Earthed Construction Technologies, Lawrence Jetter has created the opportunity to make building material on site, with local resources - it doesn't get any more sustainable than that!

The other materials that go into construction such as steel, glass, finish out material all have green or sustainable options.  By asking questions and making environmentally wise choices we can have a big impact on the greening of construction.

The Future is Now

One Bryant Park is an amazing example of modern day construction.  The 54 story building is located in central Manhattan and is the second tallest building in the city, second only to the Empire State Building.  While its aesthetic value is enjoyed my virtually everyone, its greatest value add might not even be visible to a passerby.  One Bryant Park is one of the greenest buildings in the world!

 Richard Cook, the project architect, notes that small changes on a big scale make a huge difference and that was exactly the goal of this sustainable construction.  The green features start with the very design of the building.  The upper floors and open space create a ventilation system that actually pulls air through the building.  The building acts as a giant air filter, processing the air as it enters the building not only improving the indoor quality of the air, but also returning it to the city actually cleaner than when it came in.  The building boasts a green roof to help counterbalance the heat island effect, and extensive water reclamation system, and windows whose glass actually helps keep heat out thereby reducing the need to cool the building.  The buildings was also constructed of materials manufactured within 800 km of the site with 60% of the steel coming from recycled metal.  The developer also added slag from the manufacturing of steel to the concrete, not only making it more sustainable, but also stronger.

While many people feel that green or sustainable construction is too expensive, Cook reiterates that we cannot afford not to make these changes.  He estimated the additional cost at about 5% of the project cost with a return not only in energy savings, but in choosing to make a difference that impacts tomorrow today.