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Building Green - Good for you and for the Environment
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Many people here on South Whidbey are interested in knowing more about how to build new or remodel with the environment in mind. Green Building is gaining wide recognition across the country, and there are many local resources, classes, and examples of structures that are functional, aesthetic, and easy on the land and natural resources.
Green building applies principles of resource and energy efficiency, healthy buildings and materials, and ecologically and socially sensitive land-use to achieve "an aesthetic sensitivity that inspires, affirms, and ennobles." (International Union of Architects "Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future)
Green building requires an integrated, multi-disciplinary design process and a "whole-building" systems approach that considers the building's entire life-cycle (from planning, design, and construction to operation and maintenance, renovation, and demolition or building reuse). Together, these provide the means to create solutions that optimize building cost and performance.
Here are some resources as you consider building or remodeling with the environment in mind.
A resource for design and planning your green building project
What's Working. Here you can also order the book Green Remodeling - Changing the World One Room at a Time by David Johnston.
Each month, Second Use Building Materials diverts 60-100 tons of reusable materials from the waste stream and resells them at affordable prices to the public. You may find the perfect piece for your remodeling project there!
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