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green Designers and architects recognize a niche in green
building and are quickly gaining expertise in this important area.
At GreenBiz.com you'll find a useful Architecture and Design
Backgrounder:
Big
Picture Buildings produce roughly a third of carbon dioxide
emissions and other emissions that harm air quality. Additionally,
buildings generate waste during construction and operation; can have
poor indoor air quality, affecting worker health; and often don't
consider the impact made on the community through increased
transportation, sprawl, and cultural and historical impact. By
integrating natural resource, human health, and community concerns
into building design and construction, architects and designers can
create buildings that are cleaner, healthier for occupants and the
environment, and which deplete fewer resources.
The
Upside
- Financial savings resulting from wiser use of resources.
- Tax incentives offered by some cities, counties, and states
for green building.
- Reduced environmental impact from using fewer resources and
producing less waste.
- Improved worker productivity and health.
- Higher building value from lower operating costs, reduced
turnover, and increased property value.
- Increased sales and customers.
Bottom
Line "Green" buildings typically are healthy buildings. They
also often are profitable buildings, boasting reduced energy and
maintenance costs. However, constructing or renovating buildings in
an environmentally responsible manner requires a great deal of
planning, as well as educating and prodding architects and
contractors to seek greener materials and construction techniques.
While their resistance at times may seem formidable, many companies
have worked successfully with construction professionals to reduce
the impact of their buildings.
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