'Green' Building Consulting

Sabrina Phillips, AIA NCARB
LEED Accredited Professional

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, created a Green Building Rating System standard that is applicable to new and renovated commercial buildings (non-industrial) throughout the U.S. The standard, created as a design tool, provides guidance for Green Building efforts.

The design, construction, and maintenance of buildings has a tremendous impact on our environment and our natural resources. There are more than 76 million residential buildings and nearly 5 million commercial buildings in the U.S. today. These buildings together use one-third of all the energy consumed in the U.S., and two-thirds of all electricity. By the year 2010, another 38 million buildings are expected to be constructed. The challenge will be to build them smart, so they use a minimum of nonrenewable energy, produce a minimum of pollution, and cost a minimum of energy dollars, while increasing the comfort, health, and safety of the people who live and work in them.

Green building practices offer an opportunity to create environmentally-sound and resource-efficient buildings by using an integrated approach to design. Green buildings promote resource conservation, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation features; consider environmental impacts and waste minimization; create a healthy and comfortable environment; reduce operation and maintenance costs; and address issues such as historical preservation, access to public transportation and other community infrastructure systems. The entire life-cycle of the building and its components is considered, as well as the economic and environmental impact and performance.

If you have a project that requires LEED Certification, please contact Sabrina Phillips, AIA for more information about 'Green' Building Design Strategies and documentation services or visit the EcoDesign International website at http://ecodesign.us

Email your request for information.