Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2010 - (Page 9)

HOW DO WE MOVE THE PRACTICE OF INTEGRATED DESIGN FORWARD? n order for green building to become the norm in the design and building industry, integrated design must be embraced. Without this shift, green building will continue to be perceived as a costly tack-on and will not be implemented in a manner which illustrates its true benefits. Although, at times, it can seem nearly impossible to shift the inertia of a long-standing routine of fragmented design, there are two simple methods to help move integrated design into the mainstream: 1) talk about it, and 2) emphasize cost shift. Talk about it. This sounds too simple, but the power of conversation and education is often underestimated. Instead of getting frustrated at not being able to implement integrated design on a current project, the answer is to persevere and educate, educate, educate. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the reason for not embracing green building strategies and/or integrated design is lack of awareness, lack of understanding, or concern of cost increase, not lack of desire to do good. Continuous, informed discussion with team members, colleagues, and clients, can reap amazing results. One Rushing client began pursuit of LEED® with skepticism, but after a year of working together and learning the process, they began calling to ask innovative questions like “Can we put a goat on our green roof?” Now they are determined to pursue LEED Platinum for their next project. In addition, after having experienced a project where sustainability strategies were added late, design of systems was duplicated, and unnecessary expense was added, this developer won’t start another project without the entire team at the table from day one. The project at hand does not necessarily need to be the place to make a big change. Instead, it can be seized as the ultimate opportunity for educating and creating the groundwork for integrated design to be executed on the next project. Second, emphasize cost-shift. When it comes to the discussion of integrated design, the knee-jerk reaction tends to be, “But that will cost me more!” Not true. Integrated Design does not cost more; it requires a shift in cost from the frantic problem-solving stage after construction has begun, to the beginning of the design phase where these problems can be addressed before they become problems. Addressing energy efficiency measures, for example, after a design has already been established leads to a broken process in which energy “Band-Aids” are added to a building design. Investment, early on, in a shoebox energy model which studies the whole building system; orientation, envelope, ventilation, heating, cooling, occupant behaviors, etc, saves the money wasted on redesign often associated with the Band-Aid approach and leads to a more cohesive, innovative, inspiring solution. The moral of the story? Be patient, educate, and set the coststory straight. We’ll get there.” Alexandra Ramsden, LEED ® AP BD+C, CSBA Director, sustainable design consultant, Rushing /Blackbird, Sea�le, Washington LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR SUMMER 2010 9 I I ntegrated design requires taking a holistic approach, not just to the creation of individual buildings but also to the impact that those buildings have on their surrounding ecosystem. For it to be successful there needs to be a strong leadership voice that unites the public and private sectors behind this vision. In Chicago, Mayor Richard M. Daley has been a consistent and leading voice focused on incorporating integrated design into our famous skyscape. From LEED buildings, to support for integrated green space, to clean and renewable infrastructure, Chicago has continued to push the boundaries of innovative design and planning. There is no better example of this than the green roof, which has become a core component of architecture in the city. With over seven-million square feet of green roofs either installed or planned, Chicago is a premier city for this important technology. Through their ability to decrease surface temperatures, insulate interiors from heat loss and gain, reduce interior noise, manage stormwater, provide habitat, and offer a natural amenity for city dwellers, green roofs illustrate urban integrated design. This green roof revolution has been primarily accomplished not through mandates, but instead because of Mayor Daley’s vision for what Chicago can become, and his unending passion for the benefits that this technology can bring to Chicago. It is this type of leadership that is required to move integrated design forward.” Suzanne Malec-McKenna Commissioner, Department of Environment City of Chicago “When it comes to the discussion of integrated design, the knee-jerk reaction tends to be, ‘But that will cost me more!’ Not true.” Alexandra Ramsden http://www.turfdiag.com http://www.turfdiag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2010

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2010
Contents
From the Founder
Strata
On the Roof With...
What is Integrated Design?
How Do We Move the Practice of Integrated Design Forward?
West Coast Integrated Design
Integrated Design for Solar & Green Roofs
Do Green Roofs Improve the Efficiency of PV Panels?
An Invitation to CitiesAlive! in Vancouver this Fall
GHRC Professional Development Calendar
Roof to Plate
Research Showing Early Promises
Advanced Green to Roof Maintenance Course to Launch
New GRPS
New Online Tools
New Corporate Members
Making Government Programs Work Harder

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2010