Green Building

A Resource Guide For Building Green

Green Building

Green Building in SW Florida

Common Green
Building Materials

Directory of Related Links

What is Green Building?
Green building promotes the use of better site designs, construction with environmental friendly products and efficient maintenance policies which promote human and environmental health and conservation of energy, water and other natural resources. Green building is used throughout the United States to help our society build environmentally friendly buildings which will lead us to a sustainable future.
What is sustainability?
“Sustainable development is defined as balancing the fulfillment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future” (Wikipedia). Creating a sustainable future is vital for our survival. Urban development is significantly impacting the health of our environment. The implementation of green building supports the environment because it focuses on creating homes and commercial properties which use energy saving appliances, solar heating, safe building materials (reduces VOCs), low water using appliances, hurricane protection devices, ecologically friendly landscaping, recycling systems and environmentally friendly building design.
Benefits of Green Building
Benefits the Environment
Conserves Energy
Benefits Human Health
Cost Effective to Operate
Adds Value to Businesses and Homes
Green Building can improve the health of humans because natural and recycled substances are used. Indoor pollutants can be found in traditional home construction materials. The EPA shows Americans spend approximately 90 percent or more of their lifetime indoors. Indoor pollutants can be from 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels.
(The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1987.)
Green building reduces the amount of toxic emissions into your home. Toxins can be released from paint, treated lumbar, insulating materials, plastics and carpeting among others. The release of toxins can create many health problems such as: asthma, allergies, headaches, sore throats and other nervous system diseases. The VOC (volatile organic compounds) are released into the air without noticeable detection. Some of the VOC have been shown to be carcinogenic.
Green Building uses products to build homes with safe materials for sustaining good health of buildings air quality and protects the environment for additional pollutants.
Green Certification
For a building to be considered “green” it must pass the certification process called LEED. “The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings” (USGBC). See their website for more information at USGBC: LEED.
In order for a building to receive LEED Certification it must meet certain prerequisites. LEED offers levels of certifications depending on the number of credits a building receives. The levels are: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum (USGBC).
Click here to view Florida Green Building Coalition Green Home Designation Standards

Green Building in SW Florida

Green Building in SW Florida

Green Building

Green Building in SW Florida

Common Green
Building Materials

Directory of Related Links

Florida Gulf Coast University
FGCU is supporting green building! The university is known for its support of environmental and ecological development and education. WCI and FGCU are pairing to create a Green Building on the University’s campus. The Building was created to promote sustainable living and to provide examples of how others can use green building strategies in their homes, businesses and developments. The project began in 1998 and is projected to be completed in the near future!
“The WCI Green Building Demonstration & Learning Center offers education, training and programs designed to engage our community in a sustainable future” (FGCU 2004) . WCI Green Building
FGCU reports the Green Building will offer:
Large overhangs on the building to reduce heat
A cistern to collect rainwater for toilet usage
Metal roofing for collection of rainwater
Clearstory windows to allow natural sunlight
Inside the Building Green features will also be applied.
Stained concrete flooring (saves natural resources)
Bathrooms supplied with rainwater
Bamboo and cork flooring (both are natural and bamboo grows extremely fast)
Air filtration system (HEPA filtration)
All indoor components are non-toxic and environmentally friendly! Click the link below to view a demonstration by WCI and FGCU!
WCI Green Building
Lee, Collier & Sarasota Counties Green Building Projects
Several new projects are being constructed with Green Certification in Lee, Collier and Sarasota Counties! The Florida Green Building Coalition website lists the new “Green” developments at FGBC . SW Florida is moving forward with more ecologically friendly developments!
Lee County:
Verandah (Residential Community): Fort Myers
Collier County:
Seacrest Private School: Naples
Sarasota County: (“LEEDING” the way!)
Whole Foods Market (Sarasota)
Twin Lakes Park Office Complex (LEED Gold)
Girl Scout Headquarters & Training Center
(FGBC )

Green Building

Common Green
Building Materials

Green Building in SW Florida

Common Green
Building Materials

Directory of Related Links

Common Green Building Materials
Flooring Options:
Bamboo Flooring– Bamboo is used as flooring
in green building because it grows very
rapidly.
Cork Flooring– Is natural and comes from the Cork Oak Tree. It is very durable and thermally insulating.
Wool Carpeting– A healthy non-toxic carpeting which provides long lasting durability without chemicals. It is softer, odor-free and biodegradable.
Stained Concrete– A durable surface which saves natural resources such as wood.
Energy Conservation:
Solar Pool Heating Systems– Panels are placed on the roof of the structure to provide solar energy to heat the pool. This saves on your electric bill and conserves precious energy.
Solar Lighting- Panels are placed on the structure of the building to generate solar energy.
Energy Star Appliances– Offer low wattage light bulbs, heating and cooling systems and appliances which require minimal energy. Energy Star
Water Conservation:
Cisterns- gather rainwater to supply water to toilets and irrigation systems.
Low-water Flushing Toilets– These toilets maintain a low water level to reduce water waste.
Ultra Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets–
These simple attachments use significantly less water than traditional faucets.
Water Efficient Appliances- Energy Star dish washers and washing machines.
Energy star provides efficient appliances which promote conservation of water and energy.
Click to view Energy Star
Air Quality Systems:
HEPA Filtration System: Pulls contaminants out of the air before the air is recirculated.
Dehumidification System– Pulls humidity out of the air to prevent mold growth.
Ultra Violet Light System– Cleanses the air of bacteria and other pollutants.

Directory of Related Links

Green Building

Green Building in SW Florida

Below is a List of Resources About Green Building.

Common Green
Building Materials

Directory of Related Links

United States Green Building Council
This is the lead group paving the road of the green building movement. It describes green building, national/global involvement and explains LEED certification.

Florida Green Building Coalition
FGBC is a nonprofit Florida Corporation dedicated to sustainable development. It is comprised of about 500 members from all over Florida who’s goal it is to define “green building.”

FGCU/ WCI Green Building Center
This link provides an interactive demonstration of the development of WCI’s Green Building Demonstration and Learning Center.

Sustainable Sarasota
Sarasota is one of the “green” leaders in Florida. They have adopted sustainability language in their comp plans. They also offer solutions for local business who want to be “green”.

Florida Learning House
The Florida Learning House was built in the 1990’s to demonstrate green building and eco-design. It is located in Sarasota.