The design, construction and maintenance of buildings have a tremendous impact on people and nature. Buildings consume 40 percent of the world's total energy, 25 percent of wood harvest, and 16 percent of water consumption, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development. The building industry is the nation's largest manufacturing activity, representing more than 50 percent of the nation's wealth and 13 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Energy and material consumption in building construction and operation can contribute significantly to global climate change.
Both policy makers and those in the development industry in the Pacific Northwest have a vested interest in ensuring that buildings are designed and constructed sustainably for the following reasons:
King County King Street Center
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- Reduced demand for resources lessens the environmental impact of providing public infrastructures (such as power plants, drinking water supplies, and landfills) and protecting clean air and water;
- The longevity of local resources is extended;
- Numerous studies indicate that sustainably designed buildings can result in increased worker productivity and reduced sick leave, and provide a more comfortable working and living environment; and,
- Demand for sustainable building materials and services creates new local industries and jobs.
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This Resource Guide has been developed to facilitate the selection of sustainable building materials and methods, many of which may be somewhat unfamiliar or difficult to access by building and development decision makers.
As the LEED™ Green Building Rating System is rapidly becoming the national standard by which "green" or sustainable buildings are measured, the Guide is organized around the five LEED™ commercial categories, with a sixth category to include materials and methods that overlap individual categories.
As "green" can become a desirable marketing ploy, the Guide also includes a checklist, which decision makers may use to determine for themselves how "green" a product or service is, as well as the "greenness" of the manufacturer, supplier or provider of that product or service.
Resource information as presented has been generated from internet web pages and promotional literature, modified only for purposes of consistent formatting in this document. Sources for the information are presented to facilitate access by users of the Guide.
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City of Seattle Municipal Building - under construction
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