Module 1 - From Blueprint to Greenprint

Fundamentals of Sustainability and Green Buildings: -Sustainable ([blank_start]adj.[blank_end]): something capable of being sustained or maintained over time -Sustainability ([blank_start]noun[blank_end]): the concept, practice, or condition of being sustained over time; the [blank_start]potential[blank_end] for endurance

Systems thinking views the world as [blank_start]interconnected[blank_end] systems rather than [blank_start]isolated[blank_end] components.

Examples of systems thinking:

Sustainability through [blank_start]systems thinking[blank_end] involves understanding interconnectedness and [blank_start]interdependence[blank_end] in a system. Our actions and decisions [blank_start]within[blank_end] one aspect of the system can have far-reaching [blank_start]consequences[blank_end] throughout the entirety of the system. This includes social, economical, and [blank_start]environmental[blank_end] systems. Individual fixes can lead to [blank_start]holistic[blank_end] changes.

The "triple bottom line" framework suggests that sustainable success requires considering not only [blank_start]economic[blank_end] prosperity but also [blank_start]environmental[blank_end] stewardship and [blank_start]social[blank_end] responsibility.

At the current rate of natural resource depletion and environmental degradation as of 2025, the ability of future generations to meet their needs is increasingly compromised.

[blank_start]Two-thirds[blank_end] of structures that will exist in 2050 will have been built between now and then.

People spend approximately [blank_start]90[blank_end]% of time indoors.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) affects [blank_start]30[blank_end]% of buildings with more than [blank_start]20[blank_end]% of occupants complaining about issues having to do with time spent in the building (nose, throat, headache, etc.).

The Impact of Buildings in the US: [blank_start]Environmental[blank_end]: - [blank_start]40[blank_end]% of total energy use - [blank_start]72[blank_end]% of electricity usse - [blank_start]38[blank_end]% of greenhouse gas emmissions - [blank_start]40[blank_end]% of raw material use and waste output - [blank_start]136[blank_end] million tons of waste annually [blank_start]Social[blank_end]: - [blank_start]7.36[blank_end] million jobs in construction since [blank_start]2014[blank_end] - average of [blank_start]90[blank_end]% of time spent indoors [blank_start]Economic[blank_end]: - $[blank_start]531[blank_end] billion in annual revenue from the building industry - [blank_start]30[blank_end]% of buildings suffer from SBS, negatively affecting occupants' health and productivity

Green building is a new concept.

Green building practices drive [blank_start]responsible[blank_end] resource use in [blank_start]developed[blank_end] nations and empower [blank_start]developing[blank_end] nations to enhance their quality of life sustainably without [blank_start]exhausting[blank_end] local resources. Green Building ([blank_start]noun[blank_end]); structure/building designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner; aims to [blank_start]minimize[blank_end] impacts on the environment and [blank_start]maximize[blank_end] resource efficiency throughout its life cycle Green Building ([blank_start]verb[blank_end]): the process of [blank_start]intentionally[blank_end] incorporating sustainable design principles and practices throughout planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a building

Select the ENVIRONMENTAL benefits of Green Building.

Select the HEALTH benefits of Green Building.

Select the SOCIAL benefits of Green Building.

Select the ECONOMIC benefits of Green Building.

How are Green Buildings different and how do we start designing them? - Green buildings are [blank_start]smarter[blank_end], better [blank_start]quality[blank_end], and need to be designed with an [blank_start]integrative[blank_end] design process from the start. - Green buildings are designed with an integrative and [blank_start]holistic[blank_end] approach.

What exactly makes a building green?