IT ISN’T ALWAYS EASY BEING GREEN
Tara L. Gray, ASID
Director, Interior Design Program
Pikes Peak Community College
Design with Envi-ronmental Mindfullness
What is Sustainable Interior Design?
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The philosophy of designing physical objects, built
environments and services to comply with the
principle of minimizing their impact on the natural
world.
Applying green design concepts means being
mindful about using limited resources, reducing
waste, pollution, and environmental damage.
Green design considers energy and water
efficiency and utilizes healthy materials and
construction methods.
Can sustainable design concepts be used in both
commercial and residential design projects?
Absolutely. A sustainable approach to design (for every project
type) should:
 Create buildings and interiors that are healthier for people
and enhance productivity
 Be built at a competitive rate and cost less to operate
 Use fewer fossil fuels which conserves energy, generates less
global pollution and saves on operational costs by requiring
less maintenance
 Use less water
 Manage waste at the highest productive level
 Minimize the use of materials and processes and use materials
and processes with the lowest environmental impacts
What is fairtrade?
Fairtrade certification is a market-based model of international
trade that benefits over one million farmers and farm workers
in 58 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin
America. Fair Trade certification enables consumers to vote
for a better world with their dollars, simply by looking for the
Fair Trade Certified label on the products they buy.
Fairtrade partners empower craftspeople across the globe by
preserving their rich cultural traditions and create better lives
for their families and communities.
Each time we purchase a fairtrade product, we forge a
connection with these inspiring artisans, helping them to
achieve livable wages, skills training and sustainable business
development, while breaking the cycle of poverty.
There are many types of products available through fairtrade;
including jewelry, furniture, textiles, clothing and food items.
"Be the change you want to see in the
world" -- Mahatma Gandhi
According to the Worldwatch Institute, as much as one-tenth
of the global economy is dedicated to constructing,
operating and equipping buildings. The U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC) states that the built environment
is growing globally at a rate that is three times faster than
the growth of the population and that buildings have a
huge ecological impact - consuming between 30 and 40
percent of all energy used, adding 30 to 40 percent of
atmospheric emissions, and using up 30 percent of all raw
materials. Further, it estimates that one-third of all buildings
have serious indoor air quality problems, making them
unhealthy environments for occupants and expensive for
business.
Who is USGBC?
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a
Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization
committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for
our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving
green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of
market transformation through its LEED green building
certification program, robust educational offerings, a
nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the
annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo,
and advocacy in support of public policy that
encourages and enables green buildings and
communities.
What is LEED ?
The LEED® green building certification program is a
voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for
buildings designed, constructed and operated for
improved environmental and human health performance.
LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes
state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site
development, water savings, energy efficiency,
materials and resources selection, and indoor
environmental quality.
PROJECTS WITH MINDFULLNESS
Anshen + Allen Turns Containers Into Clinics. International architecture firm Anshen
+ Allen is showing its altruistic side by providing pro-bono design services for a
portable health clinic prototype. The San Francisco-based outfit has teamed with
nonprofit foundation Containers 2 Clinics & modular builder Stack Design Build to turn
out-of-use shipping containers into preventive care units for poor & rural communities.
It's the brainchild of
Containers 2 Clinics founder
Elizabeth Sheehan, a Bostonarea physician's assistant, who
founded the organization
after years of living in
developing countries and
witnessing the staggering lack
of preventive care, and
absence of basic medications
like antibiotics.
The steel shipping containers, culled
from an estimated 20 million castoffs
worldwide, address four key
challenges to mobile healthcare
delivery: space, heat, hygiene and
security. In addition to the ubiquity of
used containers, they proved
appealing to C2C because the lowcost forms can be easily replicated in
large-scale configurations, due to their
universal size of 8-by-20 feet.
Including transport, equipment,
medications, and salaries for a local
doctor and staff of six, Sheehan
estimates each unit will cost
approximately $100,000.
Anshen + Allen and Stack Design
Build's standard design includes two
examination rooms, a diagnostic lab,
pharmacy and break area for clinic
staff. The self-contained units will be
outfitted with heat-reflective paints,
solar fans, and photovoltaic powered
lights—even a false wall with an
automatically locking door for security.
PROJECTS WITH MINDFULLNESS
Mannington To Recycle 3M Olympic Graphics Into Flooring- Approximately 200,000square-feet of the vinyl graphics will be diverted from a landfill. If recycling was an
Olympic sport, Mannington Commercial would win the gold medal. The Calhoun, Georgiabased flooring manufacturer is once again bolstering its green bona fides with its latest
plan—a joint project with 3M Canada to turn the international technology company's vinyl
graphics for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games into flooring.
Approximately 200,000
of the graphics—seen
everywhere from main
venues like the Richmond
Olympic Oval and the
Pacific Coliseum to official
Olympic vehicles—will be
diverted from the landfill
and remanufactured as the
Mannington's Premium Tile
for use in commercial
healthcare, education, and
retail applications—or
other eco-sensitive setting.
PROJECTS WITH MINDFULLNESS
Jean Michel-Gathy and Kelly Wearstler's Viceroy Snowmass Debuts. The pair's
collaboration is on track to become the first LEED Silver-certified hotel in the Colorado
resort region.
Located at the base of a
mountain in the town of
Snowmass. just outside of
alpine hotspot Aspen,
the Viceroy is on track to
become the first LEEDSilver certified hotel in the
area, one of only two in
Colorado, and one of only
eight in the United States.
This ecological
achievement is even more
impressive considering the
scope of the project—173
residentially appointed
accamodations, the Eight K
restaurant, lounge, fullservice spa, fitness room,
boutique, conference and
event space. The pool
comes complete with café,
bar, terrace and
permanent cabanas.
Green credentials were
chalked up in several
innovative ways. All dirt
removed from the
construction site was saved
and reused. Construction
workers were transported
to the site by bus, reducing
fuel consumption and
vehicle emissions. The
Viceroy also provides
reusable and washable
water bottles, hand towels,
and shampoo and
conditioner bottles. A
saline pool creates its own
chlorine through the use of
salt and electrical current.
There's even a gratis onsite electric car charging
system.
An important tool in the effort to build greener buildings and live greener
lives is the selection of products that were made using environmentally
friendly processes and are used in environmentally friendly ways.
Green products are available for just about any daily need, and the
ways they are green are many and varied: They are energy or water
efficient; they use healthy, non-toxic materials; they are made from
recycled or renewable sources; they make current products you use more
efficient or more durable; and they are recyclable or biodegradable,
among many other things.
But among all the truly green products comes the risk of “greenwashing;”
that is, products that are advertised as green without truly offering
environmental or health benefits.
Green Product Directories
• GreenSpec Directory: The online GreenSpec® Directory lists product
descriptions for over 2,100 environmentally preferable products. Products are chosen to be listed
by BuildingGreen editors. They do not charge for listings or sell ads.
• GREEN BUILDING PAGES: Green Building Pages is an online sustainable design
and decision-making tool for building industry professionals and environmentally and socially
responsible consumers.
• GREEN2GREEN: Green2Green.org features comprehensive information regarding
green building products, materials and practices. The site offers side-by-side comparisons of
products using a variety of environmental, technical and economic criteria.
• OIKOS: Oikos is a World Wide Web site devoted to serving professionals whose
work promotes sustainable design and construction.
• THE GREEN GUIDE: National Geographic’s Green Guide offers staff-written
reviews of a host of products, ranging from appliances, home furnishings and home improvement
products to personal care and pet supplies.
• GOOD TO BE GREEN: Good To Be Green is a directory of green building products,
sustainable building materials and green building service providers. Products must: be made out
of recycled materials; ensure a low environmental impact during the construction, operation
and/or demolition of the building; conserve natural resources like energy, wood and water; and
improve air quality.
PRODUCTS WITH MINDFULLNESS
The Bath collection by Bazzeo is crafted from sustainable materials and
features modern European appeal made locally in the U.S.
Sina Pearson Textiles Big Dots and Eco-Pile
Fabrics with recycled content
The CAS1 by Reeves Design fabricated from
100% recycled aluminum engine components.
The Scrap Light by Seattle-based Graypants made
from recycled corrugated cardboard boxes.
Teragren Traditional Bamboo Countertops
Robert Allen Pure Style Fabrics
Panelite Bonded Series
Allstate Rubber Au Natural Flooring
Steelcase Cogent Group
Fossil Faux Studios
Created with 50-80% recycled postconsumer content. Renewal Resin is
incorporates cast off materials from
daily production – like craps of
bubble wrap, cork, wire, tea and
paperclips.
Lumicor
High Performance, recycled resins
containing up to 60% recycled
material.
Stone Source Man-made tile created
from post consumer materials
Hirsch Glass Corp. Silhouette Glass
Mosaic
Bio-Luminum by Coverings, Inc. comprises
100 percent recycled aluminum from the
exterior shells of WWII aircrafts and
incorporates recycled wood and cork
accents
The Ribbon Light by ECCO Design features
CCFL technology and will last approximately
15,000 hours.
Phosphoria Deisgn Oyster LED light fixture.
Created from FSC woods
Area Industries Ceramiche Tegolasolare – clay roofing system with integrated solar panels
Hunter Douglas Duette Architella – honeycomb
window shades with 10 times more heat protection
than standard shades.
Momentum Textiles Bestow – made with
from post consumer polyester and
natural dyes. For commercial use.
Mod Green Pod Delight wallcovering – printed
on recycled content paper with natural dyes
Hugh Hayden Design Hex Tennis
Doggie Bed
The Greenplay Bubbles Activity Station by
Skyline Design features sustainably harvested
woods and no-VOC paints and finishes.
The Cortica cahise lounge by DMFD is
comprised entirely of cork.
Straight Line Designs Split Pine Beetle Barrels &
bamboo seating features recycled woods, 0-VOC
paints and finishes.
BedRock Industries
Creates tile from 100% recycled
glass
This illustrated, green, interior design how-to
manual is the definitive new guide to the state
of the art. From indoor air quality and resource
conservation to identifying the lowest-impact
materials and reducing construction waste, it’s
all here in a volume that’s as hands-on
accessible as it is comprehensive.
“ We must ask ourselves, Why is everything that is
supposed to be good for us termed an
“alternative” – alternative healthcare, alternative
medicine, alternative food. Sustainable design
should no longer be considered an alternative; it is
simply the responsible way to live and conduct
good business. “ – Sustainable Residential Interiors.