IT ISNT ALWAYS EASY BEING GREEN Design with Envi-ronmental Mindfullness Tara L. Gray, ASID Director, Interior Design Program Pikes Peak Community College.

IT ISN’T ALWAYS EASY BEING GREENDesign with Envi-ronmental Mindfullness

Tara L. Gray, ASID

Director, Interior Design Program

Pikes Peak Community College

What is Sustainable Interior Design?

The philosophy of designing physical objects, built environments and services to comply with the principle of minimizing their impact on the natural world. 

Applying green design concepts means being mindful about using limited resources, reducing waste, pollution, and environmental damage.

Green design considers energy and water efficiency and utilizes healthy materials and construction methods.

Can sustainable design concepts be used in both commercial and residential design projects?Absolutely.  A sustainable approach to design (for every

project type) should: Create buildings and interiors that are healthier for people

and enhance productivity Be built at a competitive rate and cost less to operate Use fewer fossil fuels which conserves energy, generates

less global pollution and saves on operational costs by requiring less maintenance

Use less water Manage waste at the highest productive level Minimize the use of materials and processes and use

materials and processes with the lowest environmental impacts

What is fairtrade? 

Fairtrade certification is a market-based model of international trade that benefits over one million farmers and farm workers in 58 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Fair Trade certification enables consumers to vote for a better world with their dollars, simply by looking for the Fair Trade Certified label on the products they buy.

Fairtrade partners empower craftspeople across the globe by preserving their rich cultural traditions and create better lives for their families and communities.

Each time we purchase a fairtrade product, we forge a connection with these inspiring artisans, helping them to achieve livable wages, skills training and sustainable business development, while breaking the cycle of poverty. 

There are many types of products available through fairtrade; including jewelry, furniture, textiles, clothing and food items.

"Be the change you want to see in the world"  -- Mahatma Gandhi

According to the Worldwatch Institute, as much as one-tenth of the global economy is dedicated to constructing, operating and equipping buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) states that the built environment is growing globally at a rate that is three times faster than the growth of the population and that buildings have a huge ecological impact - consuming between 30 and 40 percent of all energy used, adding 30 to 40 percent of atmospheric emissions, and using up 30 percent of all raw materials. Further, it estimates that one-third of all buildings have serious indoor air quality problems, making them unhealthy environments for occupants and expensive for business.

Who is USGBC?

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.

What is LEED ?

The LEED® green building certification program is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for buildings designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Anshen + Allen Turns Containers Into Clinics. International architecture firm Anshen + Allen is showing its altruistic side by providing pro-bono design services for a portable health clinic prototype. The San Francisco-based outfit has teamed with nonprofit foundation Containers 2 Clinics & modular builder Stack Design Build to turn out-of-use shipping containers into preventive care units for poor & rural communities.

PROJECTS WITH MINDFULLNESS

It's the brainchild of Containers 2 Clinics founder Elizabeth Sheehan, a Boston-area physician's assistant, who founded the organization after years of living in developing countries and witnessing the staggering lack of preventive care, and absence of basic medications like antibiotics. 

The steel shipping containers, culled from an estimated 20 million castoffs worldwide, address four key challenges to mobile healthcare delivery: space, heat, hygiene and security. In addition to the ubiquity of used containers, they proved appealing to C2C because the low-cost forms can be easily replicated in large-scale configurations, due to their universal size of 8-by-20 feet. Including transport, equipment, medications, and salaries for a local doctor and staff of six, Sheehan estimates each unit will cost approximately $100,000.

Anshen + Allen and Stack Design Build's standard design includes two examination rooms, a diagnostic lab, pharmacy and break area for clinic staff. The self-contained units will be outfitted with heat-reflective paints, solar fans, and photovoltaic powered lights—even a false wall with an automatically locking door for security.

Mannington To Recycle 3M Olympic Graphics Into Flooring- Approximately 200,000-square-feet of the vinyl graphics will be diverted from a landfill. If recycling was an Olympic sport, Mannington Commercial would win the gold medal. The Calhoun, Georgia-based flooring manufacturer is once again bolstering its green bona fides with its latest plan—a joint project with 3M Canada to turn the international technology company's vinyl graphics for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games into flooring.

PROJECTS WITH MINDFULLNESS

Approximately 200,000 of the graphics—seen everywhere from main venues like the Richmond Olympic Oval and the Pacific Coliseum to official Olympic vehicles—will be diverted from the landfill and remanufactured as the Mannington's Premium Tile for use in commercial healthcare, education, and retail applications—or other eco-sensitive setting.

Jean Michel-Gathy and Kelly Wearstler's Viceroy Snowmass Debuts. The pair's collaboration is on track to become the first LEED Silver-certified hotel in the Colorado resort region.

PROJECTS WITH MINDFULLNESS

Located at the base of a mountain in the town of Snowmass. just outside of alpine hotspot Aspen, the Viceroy is on track to become the first LEED-Silver certified hotel in the area, one of only two in Colorado, and one of only eight in the United States.

This ecological achievement is even more impressive considering the scope of the project—173 residentially appointed accamodations, the Eight K restaurant, lounge, full-service spa, fitness room, boutique, conference and event space. The pool comes complete with café, bar, terrace and permanent cabanas.

Green credentials were chalked up in several innovative ways. All dirt removed from the construction site was saved and reused. Construction workers were transported to the site by bus, reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. The Viceroy also provides reusable and washable water bottles, hand towels, and shampoo and conditioner bottles. A saline pool creates its own chlorine through the use of salt and electrical current. There's even a gratis on-site electric car charging system.

An important tool in the effort to build greener buildings and live greener lives is the selection of products that were made using environmentally friendly processes and are used in environmentally friendly ways.

Green products are available for just about any daily need, and the ways they are green are many and varied: They are energy or water efficient; they use healthy, non-toxic materials; they are made from recycled or renewable sources; they make current products you use more efficient or more durable; and they are recyclable or biodegradable, among many other things.

But among all the truly green products comes the risk of “greenwashing;” that is, products that are advertised as green without truly offering environmental or health benefits.

Green Product Directories

• GreenSpec Directory: The online GreenSpec® Directory lists productdescriptions for over 2,100 environmentally preferable products. Products are chosen to be listed by BuildingGreen editors. They do not charge for listings or sell ads.

• GREEN BUILDING PAGES: Green Building Pages is an online sustainable designand decision-making tool for building industry professionals and environmentally and socially responsible consumers.

• GREEN2GREEN: Green2Green.org features comprehensive information regardinggreen building products, materials and practices. The site offers side-by-side comparisons of products using a variety of environmental, technical and economic criteria.

• OIKOS: Oikos is a World Wide Web site devoted to serving professionals whosework promotes sustainable design and construction.

• THE GREEN GUIDE: National Geographic’s Green Guide offers staff-writtenreviews of a host of products, ranging from appliances, home furnishings and home improvement products to personal care and pet supplies.

• GOOD TO BE GREEN: Good To Be Green is a directory of green building products,sustainable building materials and green building service providers. Products must: be made out of recycled materials; ensure a low environmental impact during the construction, operation and/or demolition of the building; conserve natural resources like energy, wood and water; and improve air quality.

The Bath collection by Bazzeo is crafted from sustainable materials and features modern European appeal made locally in the U.S.

PRODUCTS WITH MINDFULLNESS

Sina Pearson Textiles Big Dots and Eco-Pile Fabrics with recycled content

The CAS1 by Reeves Design fabricated from 100% recycled aluminum engine components.

The Scrap Light by Seattle-based Graypants made from recycled corrugated cardboard boxes.

Teragren Traditional Bamboo Countertops

Robert Allen Pure Style Fabrics Allstate Rubber Au Natural Flooring

Panelite Bonded Series Steelcase Cogent Group

LumicorHigh Performance, recycled resins containing up to 60% recycled material.

Fossil Faux StudiosCreated with 50-80% recycled post-consumer content. Renewal Resin is incorporates cast off materials from daily production – like craps of bubble wrap, cork, wire, tea and paperclips.

Stone Source Man-made tile created from post consumer materials

Hirsch Glass Corp. Silhouette Glass Mosaic

Bio-Luminum by Coverings, Inc. comprises 100 percent recycled aluminum from the exterior shells of WWII aircrafts and incorporates recycled wood and cork accents

The Ribbon Light by ECCO Design features CCFL technology and will last approximately 15,000 hours.

Phosphoria Deisgn Oyster LED light fixture. Created from FSC woods

Area Industries Ceramiche Tegolasolare – clay roofing system with integrated solar panels

Hunter Douglas Duette Architella – honeycomb window shades with 10 times more heat protection than standard shades.

Momentum Textiles Bestow – made with from post consumer polyester and natural dyes. For commercial use.

Mod Green Pod Delight wallcovering – printed on recycled content paper with natural dyes

Hugh Hayden Design Hex Tennis Doggie Bed

The Greenplay Bubbles Activity Station by Skyline Design features sustainably harvested woods and no-VOC paints and finishes.

The Cortica cahise lounge by DMFD is comprised entirely of cork.

Straight Line Designs Split Pine Beetle Barrels & bamboo seating features recycled woods, 0-VOC paints and finishes.

BedRock IndustriesCreates tile from 100% recycled glass

This illustrated, green, interior design how-to manual is the definitive new guide to the state of the art. From indoor air quality and resource conservation to identifying the lowest-impact materials and reducing construction waste, it’s all here in a volume that’s as hands-on accessible as it is comprehensive.

“ We must ask ourselves, Why is everything that is supposed to be good for us termed an “alternative” – alternative healthcare, alternative medicine, alternative food. Sustainable design should no longer be considered an alternative; it is simply the responsible way to live and conduct good business. “ – Sustainable Residential Interiors.