| As most people know, the latest trend in | | | | low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will |
| construction is 'GREEN' or environmentally friendly | | | | release less gas and improve the indoor air quality. |
| buildings. As energy prices continue to soar and global | | | | HVAC systems with noise dampening ducting and |
| warming attracts more attention, the GREEN | | | | isolation systems will reduce the interior noise. |
| construction trend is likely to escalate. The goal of | | | | Daylighting can also improve the interior quality by |
| this paper is to provide a brief overview of the | | | | boosting the occupant's mood with natural light. |
| benefits of GREEN construction and illustrate how | | | | Use of Sustainable Resources |
| Off-Site Construction & modular buildings | | | | The use of recycled/reused materials helps to ensure |
| complement GREEN construction. | | | | the sustainability of resources. If virgin raw materials |
| Over the last several years, various GREEN projects | | | | are used for every new building project, these |
| have been designed and constructed, therefore | | | | materials will eventually be exhausted. As raw |
| customers and contractors are familiar with the | | | | materials become scarce, the prices will rise and/or |
| concept. Many users are initially interested in obtaining | | | | the materials will no longer be available. This trend has |
| the US Green Building Council's LEED Certification | | | | already begun as some raw material such as clear |
| (usgbc.org/LEED), however there are numerous other | | | | heart Redwood is no longer available and must be |
| tangible benefits which can be obtained by using | | | | obtained recycled from existing projects. Recycling |
| GREEN construction: | | | | reusing helps ensure that materials will be available for |
| - Reduction in energy/utility consumption | | | | future projects. |
| - Superior interior environment through noise | | | | Reduced Building Maintenance |
| reduction and improved air quality | | | | The final aspect of GREEN construction is reduced |
| - Use of reclaimed/environmentally conscious | | | | easier maintenance. Reducing maintenance activities |
| materials for sustainable construction | | | | such as painting saves the materials needed but also |
| - Reduced/easier maintenance | | | | the waste and environmental impact of the painting |
| Reduced Energy and Utility Consumption | | | | such as VOC gas release and water used in cleanup. |
| Energy/utility consumption can be reduced directly | | | | New, longer lasting materials are now available which |
| and indirectly through improved energy efficiency. | | | | need less frequent maintenance. Such materials |
| Direct reduction techniques include: | | | | include cement based exterior siding which does not |
| - Rainwater harvesting for use on landscaping | | | | require painting and recycled composite decking which |
| - Day lighting (large windows, tubular skylights) to | | | | resembles wood. Other products facilitate repair and |
| decrease the need for artificial lighting | | | | replacement such as carpet tiles which allow individual |
| - Photovoltaic panels for supplemental electricity | | | | sections to be exchanged without having to replace |
| generation | | | | the entire floor surface. Carpet tiles also reduce |
| - High R value insulation at the building envelope to | | | | waste during the installation process. |
| decrease HVAC loads | | | | Off-Site Construction is GREEN |
| - Operable windows to allow natural ventilation on | | | | In parallel to this greater acceptance of GREEN is the |
| temperate days | | | | growth in the Off-Site Construction process and |
| - Cool roof systems to reduce heat transfer and | | | | improved perception of modular buildings. Modular |
| reduce HVAC loads | | | | buildings and Off-Site construction are similar but |
| - Door/window HVAC interlocks which shut off | | | | Off-Site Construction commonly refers specifically to |
| HVAC system when doors/windows open for | | | | permanent buildings verses modular buildings which |
| extended periods of time | | | | can be either permanent or relocatable. Green |
| - Deciduous shade trees to prevent heat gain during | | | | features are available in all modular buildings but are |
| summer months | | | | considerably more common in Off-Site Construction |
| - Dual pane windows with low E coating to reduce | | | | due to the permanent nature. In recent years, |
| infrared radiation transfer and HVAC load | | | | Off-Site Construction has advanced and numerous |
| - Cool operating fluorescent bulbs to reduce HVAC | | | | innovations are now available. Such innovations include |
| loads | | | | more efficient production facilities, superior transport |
| Indirect energy consumption focuses on using energy | | | | systems, creative architectural designs and new |
| utilities more effectively and reducing waste. | | | | engineering technologies providing greater flexibility. |
| Improvements in efficiency include: | | | | Off-Site Construction merges well with the concept |
| - Energy management systems (motion sensors, | | | | of GREEN construction for a variety of reasons. The |
| timers, programmable thermostats, integrated home | | | | centralized construction location allows for much |
| systems) | | | | greater reuse and recycling of material as a set |
| - High efficiency appliances (Energy Star rated) | | | | collection schedule and policies can be established. |
| & HVAC systems | | | | Material waste due to weather damage is decreased |
| - Dishwashers and clothes washers which consume | | | | as the construction process occurs in weather |
| less water per load | | | | protected facilities. Waste water is easier to control |
| - Compact fluorescent light bulbs | | | | and collect as production facilities are paved and |
| - Lighter colors to reflect more light within building | | | | sloped to a collection area. Traffic and air pollution is |
| - Hanging pendent light fixtures combined with high | | | | reduced as workers drive shorter distances to the |
| reflectance ceiling covering | | | | factory verses traveling to various job sites. As |
| Each aspect has numerous components and can be | | | | materials for multiple jobs can be purchased in bulk |
| utilized in conjunction with one another. It is important | | | | quantities and delivered to a central location, the cost |
| to keep in mind the prerequisites must be met if | | | | of materials and number of deliveries can be |
| LEED certification is the goal. The time required to | | | | minimized. Off-Site Construction uses the same |
| recover the initial cost depends on size and location | | | | materials and designs as site built construction |
| of the structure and individual consumption patterns, | | | | allowing for easy incorporation of GREEN materials |
| as well as materials incorporated. | | | | and designs. |
| Superior Interior Environment | | | | Progressive builders and architects view Off-Site |
| In addition to reducing energy costs, GREEN | | | | Construction to be an integral part of the GREEN |
| construction should also provide a superior interior | | | | construction movement and the interest in GREEN |
| environment. Materials such as carpet, cabinetry | | | | Off-Site Construction has grown tremendously as |
| adhesives, paint and other wall coverings with no or | | | | GREEN is integrated into more diverse buildings. |