Green building issues
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by: Elise.Fendmeyer
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In our world today, people throw around the term "green" quite often. Greenness is often through of as driving a hybrid car, reusing shopping bags, or recycling. Can our homes be included in our green lifestyle? Does green architecture exist?
Yes, you could be a hero and use recycled materials to build your home. There are people who have done that. But really, would you trust the structural integrity of a home built from scrap metal and cork? Probably not. I would much rather have a conventional home. However, even though I would build a "normal" home, I can support green architecture.
Imagine I am building a new home. I want to save money on lumber, so I get a company to truck it in from a few hundred miles away as opposed to spending a little more to buy local. I am the enemy squared…not only am I using trees for my lumber, but I am also using a lot of fuel to truck in my lumber. The key here is to buy local. You are both stimulating local business as well as our environment. You hear everyone these days moaning and complaining about gas prices-well stop using so much! Rather than going to national chain stores, go to mom-and-pop businesses that are supplied with local products.
Another thing that I have heard about recently is about how people are opposed to mining to build homes. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but consider this: In order to construct most homes, you need gravel. I am aware that a gravel mine in your back yard would be unpleasant. But heres the thing: you need the dirt either way. A. You can purchase it locally, stimulate the local economy, and conserve fuel or B. You can have the same dirt trucked in from 200 miles away, spend an arm and a leg on fuel, and do nothing to support your local economy.
The point that I am making with all of this ranting is the fact that many times, green architecture can be found where we least expect it. Yes, most people would think of a building made out of recycled materials with a Prius sitting out front when they think about greeness, but there are more subtle things that the average person can do to promote green architecture. The easiest thing for a consumer to do… buy local.
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For more about architects, goto www.AIA.org/walkthewalk.
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