18: Rating Systems and Practice Tools

The earth is a place that we ought to take care of. As architects, it is important to consider ideas to make integrated buildings, to reduce harm towards the world and create a more Eco-friendly system.

Around the world, a lot of green building has been implemented. Because of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the way buildings are designed and constructed are being considered by reducing the usage of water, energy and greenhouse gas. Then, there is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), which sets practice for sustainable design.

All around the world: Australia, Japan, UK, for example, councils to implement rating systems, as well.

In ordered for a building to be considered a green building, it has to go through a rating system and meet the criteria. For example, The Living Building Challenge is a unique when speaking about pursuing a sustainable environment. Starting of as a challenge, it goes beyond the requirements that U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED asks for. Their system consists of 7 categories they ought to meet, known as Petals--includes Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. Each one of these petals focus on a different criteria. Place focuses of the environment overall, considering the habitat, and beyond that. Water focuses on the way water is being used. Energy focuses on different efficient way to use renewable resources. Health and happiness focuses on creating healthy inner and outer spaces. Materials focuses on using materials that are not harmful, and preventing materials that they provide on the Red List (see article under references for more detail, pg. 44). Equity focuses on creating a community that included all earthlings. Last but certainly not least, beauty. Beauty focuses on re-developing the existing by preserving. 

OVERALL, there are so many councils around the world that will provide requisites and can guide you to create integrated and sustainable buildings.

It is important to look into sustainability design and to incorporate such, not only to live in a livable environment, but for the future generations, because, in the words of Edward Mazria, "Today's architecture will be with us for a long time."



Stay cool.




For more information visit sites listed below:

http://www.mazria.com/publications
http://www.unep.org/Documents.multilingual/Default.asp?Doc umentID=97&ArticleID=1503

http://www.nabers.com.au
http://www.worldgbc.org

http://www. ibec.or.jp/CASBEE/english/index.htm
http://www.eer.energy.gov/buildings/highpreformance/gbc.html
http://www.iisbe.org
http://www.ggvh.org
http://www.thegbi.org
http://www.thegbi.org
http://www.austinenergy.com
http://www.msdg.umn.edu
http://www.igreen-build.com/cd_1706.aspx
http://www.architecture2030.org
http://www.build-ingreen.com/auth.articele.cfm/2007/3/6/Homebuilders-and-Code-Officials-Partner-to-Create-Green-Standard/

References: 

• http://www.breeam.com/filelibrary/BREEAM_Brochure.pdf

Now, this is an interesting article that will help you understand The Living Building Challenge further: 

• http://living-future.org/sites/default/files/reports/FINAL%20LBC%203_0_WebOptimized_low.pdf