1. Bruce May Alyssa Schindler Jennings Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C.
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Sustainable Development and the New Color of Construction
Bruce May
Alyssa Schindler
Jennings Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C.

2. This Is Not a Green Building

3. This is A Green Building
Herman Miller Marketplace
Zeeland, Michigan

4. What is Green Building?
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
-Brundtland Commission
1987

5. Elements of Sustainable Construction
Siting
Design
Materials
Products
Landscaping

6. Herman Miller Marketplace Sustainable Design Features
Daylighting and open floor plan
Operable windows and occupant thermal controls
High-efficiency and task lighting
Computerized building controls
Low-water use fixtures
Recycled and locally-supplied building materials
Indigenous, drought-resistant vegetation

7. Impact of Built Environment
Buildings in the U.S. account for:
37% of primary energy use
68% of electricity use
60% of raw materials use
12% of potable water use
39% of greenhouse gas emissions
136 million tons of waste per year

8. Federal Initiatives
Increased use of recycled materials and other green products in federal construction
Requiring green certification for new federal construction
Increased budgets for green construction projects
Increased emphasis on energy efficiency

9. State and Local Programs
Voluntary programs
Focus on incentives to build green
Tax and other incentives
Fast track processing for projects
Technical support and marketing assistance
Vary from state to state and city to city
Move towards requiring green standards for state and municipal construction

10. The Cost of Green
Green building only costs 2-7% more than traditional construction
Costs go down with experience
Difference between life-cycle costs and construction costs
Building green does not have to cost more

11. The Benefits of Green Reduced energy and water costs
Reduced materials costs (if using recycled materials)
Increased employee productivity
Reduced liability and risk
Improved company image

12. The Future of Green Building
Increased government funding for green construction projects
Required use of green design principles in all federal, state and municipal construction
Incorporation of sustainable design principles into building codes