Green building, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency, involves constructing and operating environmentally responsible and resource-efficient structures throughout their entire life cycle. The term “green” has become overused and diluted, leading to misconceptions and challenges within the industry.
One widely recognized green building rating system is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which rates buildings based on points earned and categorizes them as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Certified. Several renowned LEED-certified buildings include Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, One Bryant Park, and Shanghai Tower.
However, there are several expectations of “green buildings” that raise concerns and highlight potential problems.
- Renewable Energy: While converting wind and solar energy into electricity may seem clean and easy, it has its downsides. The demand for rare earth minerals used in wind turbines has led to toxic waste and pollution in mining areas. Additionally, the disposal of solar panels, containing toxic materials, is an emerging concern as their average lifespan is around 20 years.
- Reuse and Recycling: Recycling materials is essential, but it often comes with high costs, making it impractical in some cases. Forcing architects to specify products with certain recycled content might not always be the most sustainable solution, as it can lead to increased mining and production in some instances.
- Energy Efficiency: While improving building practices to reduce energy consumption is essential, the blind pursuit of LEED credits can sometimes lead to counterproductive decisions. Excessive use of glass, a common trend in some LEED-certified buildings, can be energy-inefficient compared to solid walls.
- Literally Green Buildings: Green roofs and vegetative roofs might earn LEED credits, but they pose risks due to constantly wet conditions and increased load on buildings. Planting fully grown trees on balconies, while considered green, might not be a practical solution for purifying air.
- Eco-Friendly Technology: Innovative building materials and products may claim to be eco-friendly, but some lack field-tested data and understanding of construction science. Blind acceptance of new products can lead to unforeseen consequences, as seen with single-use plastics.
- Flaws in the LEED Rating System: While the LEED system aims to standardize and rate green buildings, it can sometimes incentivize unrealistic and superficial decisions, such as installing unused bike racks solely for earning credits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, environmentally conscious decisions are vital, but they should be made with a deeper understanding of the practical implications and regional variations. Green building design should focus on climate-specific and nation-specific standards, and architects and builders should be educated on construction science to make informed decisions about materials and technologies. The rating system itself needs to evolve constantly, learn from failures, and adapt to emerging challenges.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that green building practices are not merely superficial actions, but genuinely contribute to sustainability and a better future for our planet.
