Structural Technologies - Green Building

Article by: Alan Bernstein AIA, ASLA, LEED AP

October 1, 2009



Jonathan Wirthlin, Structural Engineer, AIA Member, Structural Engineering Association of Southern California Sustainable Design Committee, and LEED AP with Coffman Engineers did an outstanding job presenting at the AIA COTE Committee Meeting of September 3, 2009, on how structural engineers can make a project green.



Wirthlin focused on commercial buildings. The Engineers role creates a substantial cost impact on all projects and there are very few LEED points associated with structural engineering. By savings on materials, additional engineering calculations and changes to the building code, the engineering for buildings can become greener. Wirthlin promotes the Green Globes approach rather then the LEEDS, because it is more comprehensive in its approach.


Greener Concrete

Currently a lot of concrete products that are not “green” still have some fly ash content in them. By increasing the fly ash content to 20 to 70% of the cement mixture we are reducing the amount of fly ash that goes to landfills. Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal for energy, it use to be sent up into the sky before environmental regulations finally stopped or reduced the fly ash into the atmosphere. As a result there is a lot of fly ash in the chimneys coal fire plants. (The best way to reduce fly ash is to reduce coal fire plants.) If a 50% fly ash mixture where used widely, it would reduce the world’s CO2 production by 4% (that is big).



By adding fly ash to the concrete mix we are creating a concrete that works differently than regular concrete, it does not make it worse, and it is less expensive than cement. It takes longer to set and dry- so the engineer needs to create a time line for the “working strength” of the concrete so the job can continue while the concrete is still curing. It takes less water, requires different admixtures, and can have more shrinkage cracks.


Material Reduction

By using fewer materials we can reduce the environmental impact. But there will be more labor involved in carefully calculating each beam individually, as opposed to the current standard of consistent and repetitive beam sizes. This could also reduce the quantity of bolts, welds, reduce shear wall length, and change stud spacing to 24 or 32” on center.



By use of a higher strength concrete, material can be reduced by thinner slabs, shorter and thinner shear walls, reduce deflection, and ultimately building weight.



Using high strength steel is not very practical. Standard steel shapes usually use standard steel strengths. It would be better to reduce the steel weight by increasing the depth of the beams for less deflection and widths of the posts for more efficient strengths.



Less material can reduce construction cost. There will be a learning curve for labor to be more attentive to small and frequent detail changes. More detailed plans will require more construction management and coordination. Wood projects or advance framing techniques will probably benefit the most from these changes. Concrete would benefit the least.


Advanced Systems

Advanced systems like energy dissipaters, system isolators, buckling restrained braced frames and steel plate shear walls can reduce materials and effects of earthquake damage on buildings. These systems require additional engineering and cost.



To justify these costs we need to consider the Life Cycle the building? How long is the building to last? Would it be better to spend more on materials and have a longer building life? Can the building adapt to other uses? And what will be the impact on the building when the earthquake hits – tear it down or replace some isolators?


Green Aspects of Structural Materials

Current LEED credits for engineering are gained in these areas:

Fly ash counts as pre-consumer recycled content, MR4.

Significant use of fly ash has been awarded Innovation in Design credit, ID1.

Crushing existing concrete for aggregate counts as post consumer recycled content credit, MR4.

Using special aggregates, pozzolans and add mixtures can help achieve Innovation in Design credit, ID1.

Showing the extended life of the building may also help achieve Innovation in Design credit, ID1.

LEED does not look at the life cycle, flexibility or reuse of a building.



Recycled wood can go into particleboard, mulch, fuel and firewood. Larger members can be reused, but smaller members like 2x4s will split apart when nailed. Windows and doors can be recovered and reused. Wood is easily deconstructed and reused in some manner. Wood is the greenest building material. Trees store carbon. Wood comes from a “rapidly” renewable resource. The creation of lumber uses relatively low amounts of energy sometimes their own sawdust (biofuel) creates the energy to mill the timber.



Steel is the most recycled material in the world. Over 80% of the steel comes from recycled product. Reusing steel beams is fully practical. Steel can be constructed with deconstruction in mind by using less weld and more bolts. Avoid unusual or custom shapes that are more difficult to reuse. Steel is the strongest per volume building material used. Steel manufacturing has been dramatically cleaned up, most hazardous waste associated with manufacturing is being recovered and used beneficially. Steel is produced more efficiently yet still takes a lot of energy to melt.



Concrete can be reused as base material, gravel, aggregate for new concrete, and the steel can be recycled. Concrete slabs and walls cannot be recycled for structural use. Concrete has the largest carbon footprint. The production and pouring of one ton of concrete creates 1.25 tons of CO2 and significant heat. One 90-pound bag of cement creates 22291 cubic feet of CO2 (a volume equivalent to 28 cubic feet).



Using an existing building can be greener then building a new green building. When we consider all the waste from demolition, existing embodied energy in materials, labor, transportation and time in an existing building we can save more energy through reuse.

Reusing a building has social, economic and cultural impacts. Adding life, strength and safety to an old building often has less impact on the environment. Building design and structural systems should allow for easy reconfigurations and different uses. The envelope or curtain wall system should be removable to allow future renovated or modernized exterior. Simple building shapes would save in renovation costs.



Again special thanks to Jonathan Wirthlin of Coffman Engineers for his presentation.

Thanks to Jonathan Vogel, President of Spectra Contract Flooring for hosting our meeting and providing food. We are always looking for new attendees, please contact Blaire Seibert, AIA, LEED AP, Verde Concepts via email blair@verdearchitects.com for the date and time of our next meeting. Looking forward to seeing you there.



Reminder, The Greenbuild 2009 International Conference and Expo will be held in Phoenix Arizona, November 11 –13. This is a great conference and an incredible number of exhibits about all things green. It attracts a mix of people from all aspects of the construction industry and related fields. Visit www.usgbc.org for further information.





Alan Bernstein is a licensed Architect, licensed Landscape Architect, U.S. Green Building Accredited Professional (LEED, AP) and Certified Green Building Advisor. For questions or comments contact Alan Bernstein at (818-707-9215) or email at alan@abarchitects.com



http://www.concretecontractorlosangeles.wordpress.com



http://www.mikepearsonconstruction.com

Mike Pearson Masonry Contractor Los Angeles

CMU Walls - Concrete Masonry Units

The Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA) was established in the year 1979. It includes concrete block providers in southern Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and companies supplying cement, mortar mix, aggregates, equipments, services to the masonry industry and admixtures. Its objectives are creating a superior standard in the manufacturing of concrete masonry, collecting information and publishing bulletins of educational and promotional character, and encouraging the use of concrete masonry products.

The Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association is an important trade association. It is devoted to encouraging the use of concrete masonry products. It also supports its members by giving them opportunities for networking, as well as support in marketing, research and government relations. This association focuses on the enhancement of product knowledge of masonry block applications in the industry for concrete retaining walls and commercial buildings. The CCMA website is an important resource for builders, architects and engineers. More and more people are using the website for this purpose.

Concrete masonry units are in great demand because of the durability, structural advantages, economics, energy efficiency, minimal maintenance and fire-resistance that they provide. Brick, marble, concrete block and limestone are the common materials used in masonry construction. Masonry contractors use this kind of material for constructing steps, walkways, durable brick patios, walls and masonry structures. Masonry construction is highly durable, but many factors can affect the durability and appearance of the masonry construction including the quality of material and mortar used, the quality of the workmanship, and the way the materials are laid.

Retaining walls are also built by residential masonry contractors. These walls are vital for proper drainage as well as maintaining a level grade for your landscape. By using cement blocks, concrete or any kind of field and rock stones, masonry contractors can provide a wide variety of landscaping choices. Retaining wall blocks provide great compressive power. Some concrete blocks offer even greater power for masonry structure as they have cores with steel reinforcement.

Concrete masonry units are large rectangular blocks utilized in the construction of retaining walls or other structures. Concrete blocks make laying the block walls much quicker as these units are much larger than bricks. In addition, concrete blocks have lower water absorption rates than bricks. Concrete blocks are used as a structural core for the walls of factories, garages and industrial buildings. Sometimes, river rock can be utilized as a surface layer.


Mike Pearson Construction, Inc. - Decorative Concrete and Driveway Contractor Los Angeles

Mike Pearson Construction, Inc. - CMU Wall and Retaining Wall Contractor Los Angeles

Mike Pearson Construction, Inc. - Masonry and Brick Contractor Los Angeles

Concrete Masonry and Sustainability

CCMA stands for Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association. It is a non-profit trade organization. This association focuses on promoting the premium utilization of technical information, masonry materials, the benefits as well as economics using masonry and codes for the commercial and housing construction markets.

Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association offers not only education but also promotional assistance and advocacy to all its members. Concrete masonry product has advanced characteristics. It does not have any negative impacts on the environment. Furthermore, it has insect and fire resistant characteristics.
Using this environment friendly product for creating new looks become superior. There are couples of reasons why to use concrete masonry. First, one is the Green building and another is Sustainability.

First, we will look at what is the sustainability. It is the tolerance capability to experience, suffer or undergo without yielding or surrendering. Throughout its all the stages in the life span from raw material manufacture to destruction, concrete is an ally of the environment. Concrete masonry builds the rust free structures that will never burn or rot. They help to build long-lasting structures having great durability. It is very amazing to know that concrete building products have twice or thrice times the life span as compared to other building materials. That is why they are used for sustainable house construction. Day by day, these products are gaining increased popularity.

Another interesting thing about concrete masonry is it stays cool in the summer season and hot in the winter season. This is because the thermal mass of concrete permits it to store up the energy. Furthermore, utilization of concrete masonry products can help to save the utility bills over than 3%. Limestone is the most significant raw material used in the cement of concrete masonry. Moreover, the mineral ‘limestone’ is found in great quantity in nature. However, various waste by-products from different steel mills, manufacturing units and power plants can be used for the production of concrete.

Like wood, when exposed to the elements, concrete does not rot or warp. Its sustenance capability to all weather damages makes it to have a longer life. With concrete masonry used for building house, there are fewer chances of termites, rodents and ants to invade your home.

Sustainability of the concrete masonry makes it useful for long lasting and resistant construction. CCMA provides assistance to enhance the entire industrial viewpoint and knowledge towards the use of masonry products. It focuses on the use of block masonry applications for concrete viable buildings, paving walls, concrete masonry, retaining walls, etc. for further enhancement in the construction sector. It has helped to change our vision towards the utilization of several products, which are environment friendly.

Mike Pearson Construction - Hardscape Contractor Los Angeles

Mike Pearson Construction - Concrete Contractor Los Angeles

Rethink Recycle Rebuild

Rethink Recycle Rebuild
Article by: Alan Bernstein AIA, ASLA, LEED AP
September 1, 2009



“A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff”
George Carlin, “A Place for your Stuff”, Braindroppings, 1977

During World War II we created an industrial and manufacturing machine. The machine after the war needed to continue to feed and support the growing population. These industries changed from wartime to peacetime. Air bombers became passenger planes, nitrogen bombs became fertilizer and tanks became tractors. Designers of the war machines became industrial designers.

In the 1950’s designers developed the idea of planned and perceived obsolescence. This would keep the industrial machine operating producing goods. The machine is still running, it has expanded to Japan, India, China and elsewhere. Every year there is a new faster and neater cell phone we have got to have!

Annie Leonard, in the “Story of Stuff” processes simply moves along these stages: “extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal. All together, it’s called the materials economy.” It is a linear process and we are running out of materials very quickly. “We live on a finite planet and you can not run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely”. Paul Hawkin, Armory Lovins and Hunter Lovins say “In the past three decades, one-third of the planet’s resources, its ‘natural wealth’, has been consumed.”

Mining for iron ore, drilling for oil and harvesting trees that destroy large tracks of land. Transporting materials all over the world leaves a trail of pollution and smoke. Processing the raw materials dumps waste products in rivers and dumpsites. Manufacturing creates all sorts of toxic chemical waste and products that are indefinitely in the web of life such as dioxin and DDT.

Labor paid at minimum wage receive no health insurance or any other benefits to support their family or later years in life when they are sick from the toxic work or manufacturing in poor conditions destroys eyesight and health.

Big box stores then sell the product for a very low amount like $5.00 for a portable radio or CD player at Radio Shack. Do you ever ask how can they make that product so cheaply? The cost is being deferred in planet health and resources. We look at these products as low cost one time consumption products. When they are done we throw them away and add more to the garbage dumps. Someday soon I think we will start mining the dumps.

“To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.”

Theodore Roosevelt, Seventh Annual Message, December 3, 1907

In “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we make things”, by Architect William McDonough and colleague German chemist Michael Braungart, there is a call to transform industry to a more ecological design. Carpet manufacturing has a huge impact on our garbage dumps and toxic waste. Interface Carpet has rethought the life process of carpet tiles. At the end of the tile’s use they can be easily pulled apart rubber backing from fabric and made into new tiles. McDonough and Braungart call for a process to rethink this and make carpet so it can be recycled and made into a new carpet and given life again. Companies like Interface Carpet, Steel Case and Herman Miller are changing the way we think about manufacturing so less ends up in the trash and has less toxic materials.

The authors “insist on the rights of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse, and sustainable condition”. And that humans can live beneficially with the environment.


Alan Bernstein is a licensed Architect, licensed Landscape Architect, U.S. Green Building Accredited Professional (LEED, AP) and Certified Green Building Advisor. For questions or comments contact Alan Bernstein at (818-707-9215) or email at alan@abarchitects.com

www.mikepearsonconstruction.com

Hot, Flat, and Crowded

“Hot, Flat, and Crowded” and Broke

I would like to recommend book, “Hot, Flat, and Crowed
Why we need a green revolution –and how it can renew America”
By Thomas Friedman

This is a book about the state of America, how we lost our way, and what we need to do our groove back to be on top of solving the world’s problems. Government is having difficulty dealing with large national problems such as financial markets, health care, social security, and energy let alone deal with the world’s problems. Friedman states, “Green is not just a new form of creating electric power. It is new form of creating national power. It is not just about lighting up our house; it is about lighting up our future”

The world is hot. Al Gore was wrong, we are not heating up exponentially, we are heating up faster. The LA Times (January 2009) noted that each 1” of rise in sea level in Los Angeles is a loss of about 40” of beach.

The world is Flat, Technology and the Internet has created an equal playfield for countries around the world. The country that dominates energy and technology will be the most successful country.

The world is Crowded. Today there is 6.7 billion people in the world, by the middle of this century the population will increase by estimated 40 to 45% to 9 billion people. In twelve years, by 2020 we will add I billion people to the world. The Los Angeles Times states “L.A. County alone will top 13 million by 2050, an increase of almost 3.5 million residents.”


Friedman states that the five trends that will define the 21st Century are:

1. Energy resources supply and demand. Now so many people can live like Americans. But if everyone in the world lives like an American the energy resources and material requirements will require 5 planet earths.

2. Petro-dictatorships. The Freedom House “Freedom Index” shows that as price of oil goes down there is more freedom in the world. As the cost of the oil goes up then there will be less freedom as we empower through our spending the petro-dictators.

3. Global Warming. We have introduced so much CO2 into the atmosphere we do not know if humans or god made it hot. Who caused Katrina was it caused by man heating up the earth or was it an act of god? The ice caps melting was predicted to be complete by 2020, it appears to be happening faster. What is going to happen with all the coastal populations?

4. Energy Poverty. 1 out of 4 people in the world have no energy. If they cannot get to the Internet and will be left behind.

5. Biodiversity loss. One species is lost every 20 minutes. Species we do not or will not ever know or even be aware of. We as a generation will have to act as Noah to save these species.

To make the changes will be difficult because we have cheap oil and gas fuels. The new administration needs to step in and make sure we are charging the full environmental cost of the oil and gas fuels. We need to define the true cost of burning coal, oil and gas. We need leadership that sets up the new rules and principles with authority. Or we will have nothing.

Friedman states that, we have exactly enough time starting now! This is an “Incredible opportunity masquerading as problems”. We can solve the issues with the abundant reliable clean solar electrons; this is the next great global green industrial revolution. The new energy technology revolution is not going to be easy. To change the energy use from oil to clean energy, will be the most difficult task. It is like we are starting the NASA space program when SouthWest Airlines already flies to the moon. We need to create an era similar to that of Space Exploration, only in alternative energy exploration.

Friedman quotes that we need to “Avoid the unmanageable and manage the unavoidable”.

See Friedman speak on the Internet at the “Sixth and I” Video Program
http://fora.tv/2008/09/23/Tom_Friedman_Hot_Flat_and_Crowded

Thanks to Alan Bernstein, AIA, ASLA

Alan Bernstein Architects

Mike Pearson - Stone Masonry Contractor Los Angeles

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers
Their Role In Green Construction

We all understand the value of permeable pavers in terms of their ability to give us a hardscape surface that allows water to seap into the water table. But we thought it would be nice to to share some specific information based on our experience with permeable pavers, which will allow you to highlight the important pros and cons related to this product for your customers, specifically in terms of its role in the arena of sustainable design. Below is a general outline of the main points related to this subject, and it should be a quick and easy way to and to put some of the basic facts and figures at your fingertips. If you wish to print this outline, it will also be available on our website as well.

The outline describes, in general, the basic problems with impervious surfaces, what Low Impact Development (LID) is, and how it seeks to address this problems with impervious surfaces, the role of permeable pavers in Low Impact Development, some specific facts about how permeable pavers function in eco-friendly construction, how they conform with ADA standards, and some pointers on how to use permeable pavers to score points in LEED projects.

Problems with Impervious Surfaces: Surfaces that do not permit the penetration of surface water cause two main problems:

1. Overworked storm drains, causing excess, untreated water to run to rivers and lakes.
2. Suspended sediments and heavy metals run directly into storm drains without being filtered by the natural system.

Low Impact Development (LID): A design strategy with the goal of "maintaining and enhancing the pre-development hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds." (Taken from the Low Impact Development Center website: www.lowimpactdevelopment.org) One of the goals of Low Impact Development is to reduce the percentage of impermeable surfaces in new construction.

Permeable Pavers Role in LID: Permeable pavers allow water to pass through the upper layer of the pavement and then enter the sub-base reservoir, which acts like a sub-surface infiltration basin. Storm water is therefore treated through filtration, volatilization, microbial activity, storage and ion exchange. The storm water then slowly infiltrates into the sub-grade soils, instead of overunning or storm drains and/or adversely affecting the water supply.

Infiltration: There is considerable debate on the infiltration rate of permeable pavers. The infiltration rate must be calculated based on the overall infiltration that occurs once the pavers have been installed (i.e., when the infiltration rate of sub-surfaces and soil are all factored in.) One study showed a mean infiltration rate of 3.5 inches of water per hour, for clean pavers (free of debris.) This study is here:
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/stormwater/PublicationFiles/ICPIreport2004.pdf

Some suppliers and manufacturers will claim much higher infiltration rates, including the rate you would expect from the pavers alone (before they are set on soil.) Beware of unreasonably high infiltration claims.

Exfiltration: Rainfall may exceed the exceed the infiltration rate of the soil below. For different densities of soil, different exfiltration methods may be utilized in order to completely re-route water:

Full exfiltration: For use when the soil is expected to fully exfiltrate all of the surface water. All of the water exfiltrates into the soil below, with no additional sub-surface drainage.

Partial exfiltration: For use when the soil may not exfiltrate all the surface water. In this case, a sub-surface perforated pipe is used to redirect the water.

No exfiltration: For use when the soil below has low or no permeability. In this case, an impermeable membrane is used at the bottom and sides of the system, in addition to a sub-surface perforated drain pipe.

Reduction of Pollutants: The aggregate filters and sub-grade soils the allow sedimentation to occur, and contribute through bacterial treatment of the pollutants and cation exchange. Growth of "good" bacteria has been found on established aggregate bases. in addition, because water immediately enters the permeable surface, it maintains a lower temperature, which means that unnaturally heated water does not enter the water habitats of wildlife, where it can cause shock or death.

Where Not to Use Permeable Pavers: Pavers should be installed at least 100 feet from water supply wells, streams and wetlands. They should not be installed in facilities where the by-products of products may contaminate groundwater, such as industrial facilities that store
hazardous wastes, or gas stations.

In addition, permeable pavers are highly subject to clogging when exposed to sediments or fines. The effectiveness of permeable pavers can be significantly reduced due to clogging. (As a side note, permeable pavers should be cleaned on a recurring basis in order to maintain maximum permeability.)

Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act: There is no express rule for paver spacing in order to satisfy ADA requirements. However, the rule of thumb is that the spacing should be a vertical maximum spacing of 1/2".

LEED Credits:
Credit 6.1 and 6.2: Stormwater Design - 2 possible points (for achieving the appropriate percentage of permeable surface.)

Credit 7: Heat Island Effect Non-Roof - 1 possible point (for using light colored, high albedo materials)

MR Credit 4: Recycled content - 2 possible points (when using pavers that contain fly ash or blast furnace slag)

MR Credit 5: Regional materials - 2 possible points (when using materials that are extracted, processed, and manufactured regionally.


This article is intended as a general overview only. There are a myriad of other factors that we can explore in relation to permeable pavers, and we have included some useful links for those of you who wish to explore the subject in more detail. We always welcome your comments and feedback.

The above article was based in part on information found at the following web links, which you may find useful:

http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/stormwater/PublicationFiles/ICPIreport2004.pdf
http://www.icpi.org/faq/48
http://www.aecdaily.com/en/1647234

Green Construction - Earning a Repuatation for Building Green

The market makes many demands of the construction industry. We are judged not only by the price and quality of our services, but by social and environmental factors as well. Construction and design firms in California are at the center of the drive to think, design, and build in a way that is environmentally responsible. It is increasingly important to our customers that we are "green." Firms that can legitimately make this claim will undoubtedly gain more market share, strengthen their reputation, and gain the loyalty of their consumer base.

But what does this really mean, to be "green?" What are the measurable factors we can point to in order to establish in a truly legitimate way that we are one of the companies that is responding to this call to design and build in an eco-friendly way? What are the specific things that we can do to establish a real reputation for being a "green" company?

Any company wanting to gain a reputation for "Green" building will want to become aware of the following two organizations: The U.S. Green Building Council, and The Green Building Certification Institute.

Many of us already have various levels of awareness about these organizations, and some of us are members of USGBC. (California has over 5000 members, comprised of architects, contractors, and manufacturers.) For those of us who don't really know about these two organizations and what they do, here are the basics:

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC that provides education to individuals in the construction industry. In addition to providing education, the U.S. Green Building Council has created a comprehensive program for rating the design, construction, and operation of green buildings.

The Green Building Certification Institute is an organization that administers project certification for commercial and institutional buildings and tenant spaces under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating Systems™ addressing new construction and ongoing operations. The Green Building Certification Institute also administers the exams required for an individual to receive various levels of LEED® certification. (The study materials for the exams are available through various third party providers which have been pre-approved by GBCI.)

The websites for these two organizations are here:

USGBC
GBCI

Anyone in the construction industry can easily become a member of USGBC. There is an annual fee, based on your company's revenue. This entitles you to claim that you are a member, and gives you the option to display their logo on your website and in your publications. They also offer discounts on various products and services for their members. Of course, simply becoming a member does not require or indicate any action beyond membership.

If one wants to make a serious effort towards education, GBCI offers courses and accreditations. Individuals recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system are permitted to use the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) acronym after their name, indicating they have passed the accreditation exam given by the USGBC. Many professionals in our field have this certification.

Lastly, you may submit your project to the certification process that the GBCI oversees. This requires that the project be designed and built within the guidelines established by USGBC, and judged by GBCI. While the standards are complex and require a great deal of investigation and education, the general process is fairly simple.

The rating system and details are on the USGBC website, but I have included a link to a PDF file here:

LEED Green Building Rating System (PDF)

Once you have familiarized yourself with the rating system and guidelines provided by USGBC, you can then register your project with GBCI. The GBCI will then rate the project based on the parameters outlined in the rating system. Once the project has been officially deemed LEED certified, you are entitled to the following:

• A formal certificate of recognition
• Information on how to order plaque and certificates, photo submissions, and marketing
• Inclusion in an online directory of registered and certified projects
• Inclusion in the US Department of Energy High Performance Buildings Database

What this means is that by perusing and completing the education and/or certification provided by The Green Building Certification Institute, you can claim in a clear and thoroughly substantiated way that you are an active participant in the push to create environmentally sound, sustainable, and energy efficient structures. You can call attention to your accreditation and certification in all of your marketing efforts, and represent yourself as an active and cognizant participant in the green building movement.

We certainly welcome your feedback on the topics discussed above, and we especially welcome any additional insights, tips, or information from anybody that has additional first hand experience navigating the waters of this newly emerging field. It is our hope that we can expand and share our knowledge of topics such as these by sharing our experience with each other. Please feel free to forward this article to anyone who may find the information interesting or useful.

Come visit us here:


Mike Pearson Construction, Inc.