"All
too infrequently does the perfection of nature and creativity of man intersect
in absolute harmony. At Princeville Resort, however, they blend gloriously."
"Visitors
here often refer to the "Princeville Experience." Share it with us
just once, and you'll be back." Why not make your dream house come to life
here?
"Many
more family activities are located near Princeville. You and your family will
enjoy miles of hiking trails, kayaking down Hawaii's only navigable rivers,
mountain biking along scenic ridges, horseback riding on secluded trails and
taking part in a myriad of ocean activities."
What Makes a Building Green?
A green building, also known as a sustainable building, is a structure that
is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient
manner. Green buildings are designed to meet certain objectives such as protecting
occupant health; improving employee productivity; using energy, water, and
other resources more efficiently; and reducing the overall impact to the environment.
What Are the Economic Benefits of Green Buildings?
A green building may cost more up front, but saves through lower operating
costs over the life of the building. The green building approach applies a
project life cycle cost analysis for determining the appropriate up-front
expenditure. This analytical method calculates costs over the useful life
of the asset.
These and other cost savings can only be fully realized when they are incorporated
at the project's conceptual design phase with the assistance of an integrated
team of professionals. The integrated systems approach ensures that the building
is designed as one system rather than a collection of stand-alone systems.
Some benefits, such as improving occupant health, comfort, productivity,
reducing pollution and landfill waste are not easily quantified. Consequently,
they are not adequately considered in cost analysis. For this reason, consider
setting aside a small portion of the building budget to cover differential
costs associated with less tangible green building benefits or to cover the
cost of researching and analyzing green building options.
Even with a tight budget, many green building measures can be incorporated
with minimal or zero increased up-front costs and they can yield enormous
savings (Environmental Building News, 1999).
What Are the Elements of Green Buildings?
Siting
Start by selecting a site well suited to take advantage of mass transit.
Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features. Select plants
that have low water and pesticide needs, and generate minimum plant trimmings.
Use compost and mulches. This will save water and time.
Recycled content paving materials, furnishings, and mulches help close the
recycling loop.
Energy Efficiency
Most buildings can reach energy efficiency levels far beyond California Title
24 standards, yet most only strive to meet the standard. It is reasonable
to strive for 40 percent less energy than Title 24 standards. The following
strategies contribute to this goal.
Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance.
These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design,
and the use of natural lighting.
Develop strategies to provide natural lighting. Studies have shown that it
has a positive impact on productivity and well being.
Install high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls.
Include motion sensors tied to dimmable lighting controls. Task lighting reduces
general overhead light levels.
Use a properly sized and energy-efficient heat/cooling system in conjunction
with a thermally efficient building shell. Maximize light colors for roofing
and wall finish materials; install high R-value wall and ceiling insulation;
and use minimal glass on east and west exposures.
Minimize the electric loads from lighting, equipment, and appliances.
Consider alternative energy sources such as photovoltaics and fuel cells that
are now available in new products and applications. Renewable energy sources
provide a great symbol of emerging technologies for the future.
Computer modeling is an extremely useful tool in optimizing design of electrical
and mechanical systems and the building shell.
Materials Efficiency
Select sustainable construction materials and products by evaluating several
characteristics such as reused and recycled content, zero or low off gassing
of harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, sustainably harvested materials,
high recyclability, durability, longevity, and local production. Such products
promote resource conservation and efficiency. Using recycled-content products
also helps develop markets for recycled materials that are being diverted
from California's landfills, as mandated by the Integrated Waste Management
Act.
Use dimensional planning and other material efficiency strategies. These strategies
reduce the amount of building materials needed and cut construction costs.
For example, design rooms on 4-foot multiples to conform to standard-sized
wallboard and plywood sheets.
Reuse and recycle construction and demolition materials. For example, using
inert demolition materials as a base course for a parking lot keeps materials
out of landfills and costs less.
Require plans for managing materials through deconstruction, demolition, and
construction.
Design with adequate space to facilitate recycling collection and to incorporate
a solid waste management program that prevents waste generation.
Water Efficiency
Design for dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing or a gray
water system that recovers rainwater or other nonpotable water for site irrigation.
Minimize wastewater by using ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads,
and other water conserving fixtures.
Use recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution.
Install point-of-use hot water heating systems for more distant locations.
Use a water budget approach that schedules irrigation using the California
Irrigation Management Information System data for landscaping.
Meter the landscape separately from buildings. Use micro-irrigation (which
excludes sprinklers and high-pressure sprayers) to supply water in nonturf
areas.
Use state-of-the-art irrigation controllers and self-closing nozzles on hoses.
