Before we officially begin our lessons on
Materials and Estimating - let’s take a few moments
to discuss sustainability – or ‘green design’ as
it is referred to today. It will be part of the various
assignments that you will be completing during this
course – and future courses…..
Sustainability:
what does it mean to you?

When I say ‘sustainable’ or ‘green’, what does
that mean to you?
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What might you do to promote this concept?
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I had the opportunity of attending a week-long
training in Portland, OR, of the Sustainable
Summer Institute – I was one of 30 faculty
selected.
◦ Throughout my classes, I will try to share where
appropriate – both materials and resources
◦ I encourage you to do the same – as you find
anything to share – please let me know
What is sustainable anyway?
 Sustainbable
 Green
 Environmentally-friendly
 Reuse, recycle, repurpose
 Regenerate?
 Is
it really ‘green’ OR what we call
‘green-washing’?
Many terms are used, but do they mean the same?

There are many companies that are
excellent examples of promoting
sustainability, both in manufacturing and in
the products that they sell

What are the questions to ask? How might
you know that products and manufacturing
are truly sustainble?
What makes is sustainable?

Two things that you can do to better understand
the concepts……
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Watch this video:

Complete this exercise:
◦ http://www.storyofstuff.com/
◦ This will give you a better understanding of the cycle
of production and how often times, it is harmful to the
environment.
◦ http://www.earthday.net/footprint/flash/html
◦ This will identify your personal eco footprint
◦ I’m not proud – based on my current life and work
style, I take almost 5 planets to live – that is horrible!
◦ Now, I’m looking for ways to change……
Where to start……
In the business of kitchen and bath design,
we promote consumerism.
 Is there a way that perhaps wouldn’t be as
harmful to the environment?
 There will be clients that won’t care – and
that is OK for them…..
 As designers, it behooves us to educate our
clients as best we can to make more
education decisions about our homes…
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Thoughts…..
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Taking any object about you – take a few
moments to identify the following:
Determine the life of that object going backwards?
Where did you purchase?
Where did they purchase from?
Where is the manufacturer located?
What method of transportation might have been used
to get it from production to being sold on the shelf?
◦ What is it made of? Where is that material from?
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For example – I have a packet of Papermate
Mechanical Pencils. They are distributed out of Illinois –
but as I read the fine print – they were made in India –so
what process and path did these pencils take before I
purchased them at Walgreens?
Mini-exercise…….
(you needn’t turn in)
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Another question would be - how much do
you throw away that could be used again?

Or what products might you use for a
purpose that perhaps another product
might be as suitable or better to use?
I.e. Paper towels (love ‘em), but a cloth
towel is probably better – use over and over
and they are washable….. Or paper
napkins – when clothe napkins are great!
Or instead of paper plates – using china!
Look around you – and what might you change?

Granted, we can’t change everything or
everybody, but could we begin to make
some subtle changes or make some
suggestions to our clients?
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After completing the exercises – I’d like you
to reflect upon what you have learned so
far……. – again, you don’t need to turn in –
but if you like to email me – that would be
fine…..
Reflections???
1.
Smart meter: connected to home
Reads what is using how much….
2.
Energy (home label) performance score:
mileage per gallon on home
Possible to work with local energy company to determine
how efficient your home is
3.
Building information modeling: software – BIM
Helps an architect determine the best placement of building
and all windows and doors to capture the ventilation and
lighting on a site
4.
Green building buy-in by financial institutions
Incentive programs that can be used to help finance more
efficient furnace, A/C, water heaters, etc.
5.
Right-sizing of home
Is the home and space appropriate in size to the number of
occupants?
10 Trends of Sustainability
6.
Eco-district: collaborative energy source;
Woodland, TX
Community effort for sharing energy.
7.
Water consumption: lakes are drying up
Use of water saving fixtures and products – “Water-Sense”
8.
Carbon collection (local label) life cycle
assessment
Determining what we use on a daily basis and it’s effect on
the environment
9.
Net zero buildings – ‘living building’
Reducing operating costs and thus, environmental impact
10.
Sustainable education
Educating yourself and others
10 Trends of Sustainability
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Within the Materials and Estimating – we will
seek products that may be:
◦ More energy efficient
◦ Locally made – or made in the USA – or close to us
wherever we live or our client live
◦ Made from products that won’t harm the environment
in their production – renewable, etc.
You will have clients that seek both solutions – it
helps to have as great an understanding as
Possible
Your research (web search_) project will help you
identify the many products that fit in many categories
to better assist your clients; also, we will have field trips,
Tours and guest speakers that will aid you in your
decisions.
For this class…..

As we study materials and estimating for
kitchens and bathrooms, we will identify
the choices that can be presented to our
client that will give them more options

So, let’s begin with cabinetry – one of the
largest components of materials within a
kitchen…….
◦ Attached is an article from NKBA regarding
‘green choices” and also, a green glossary list
(additional items can be found on the NKBA web
site – www.nkba.org)
Let’s begin….