Inevitably, it seems, when I mention green building to someone they immediately start talking straw bales or adobe. Yes, both are green building techniques; neither are particularly suitable for the Pacific Northwest climate. The one exception is the new adobe flooring systems, which works well everywhere (so far as I know). But green building isn’t about straw bales, adobe floors, or cord wood construction — though all of them are valid building techniques when used at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way. In fact, green building isn’t really about any specific building technique at all. What it is about is resource management.

California Green Builder, the premier certifier of green builders and green building in California lists the following as factors in designating a building project as “green.” This is a summary, of course:

• The home will use 15-20 percent less energy (heating, cooling, lighting).
• Water usage will be reduced by at least 20,000 gallons/year compared to the average home.
• Diversion of at least 50%, sometimes as much as 80% of on-site construction wastes to recycling, reuse, or reclamation. (Our own Pacific Builders received the 2006 WRAP award for its waste recovery and diversion efforts in the building of the new Co-Op.)
• Use of advanced HVAC designs with MERV filtering.
• Use of low VOC materials and coatings.
• Use of sustainable forest certified wood products. (Four are currently recognized: Sustainable Forestry Initiative [SFI], American Tree Farm System [ATFS], Canadian Standards Association’s Sustainable Forest Management System Standards [CAN/CSA], and Forest Stewardship Council [FSC].)

Note that choices in building materials and methods of construction are not listed. The focus is on air quality and efficiency: Efficiency in the use of energy, materials, and the reclamation of the same. This allows for innovation, both in the development of new materials and methods, and in more efficient use of old (sometimes ancient) methods. The result is a home that is considerably healthier and much more energy efficient.

But the choice of (green) methods and materials for your renovation or new home project remain right where they belong: With you and your project team.

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