Building Green

...“BUILDING GREEN” means incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. It means making intentional decisions about:

· ENERGY EFFICIANCY IMPROVEMENTS such as high levels of insulation, efficient HVAC systems, high-performance windows and energy-efficient appliances and lighting

· WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES such as water-efficient appliances and fixtures, filtration systems, and drought resistant or low-maintenance landscaping

· RESOURCE CONSERVATION using materials and techniques such as engineered wood and wood alternatives, recycled building materials, sustainable harvested lumber, and more durable products

·INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS such as effective HVAC equipment, formaldehyde-free finishes, low-allergen materials, and products with minimum off-gassing or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

· SITE DESIGN PLANNING such as minimizing disruption and preserving open space.

...“THOUGHTFUL DESIGN” means designing to use less, collaborating with the outdoors, using technology to improve quality while reducing quantity, and designing for longevity, flexibility and a joyful living environment.

GREEN RIVER DESIGN can work with you to design towards a green certification for your Project, or decide how to make your Project as green as possible within budget restrictions.

GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS....

LEED: usgbc.org

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in March 2000.

ENERGY STAR: energystar.gov

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM: nahbgreen.org

In 2007 the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC) partnered to establish a nationally-recognizable standard definition of green building. The resulting ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ is the first and only residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)