Give me the low-down on green building

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by: Elise.Fendmeyer
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In our world today, people throw around the term "green" quite often. For example, we can be "green" by driving hybrid cars, reusing shopping bags, and recycling cans and bottles. 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. Folks have done it. 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.
Consider the following: 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. Okay, so I am being a bad guy and using lumber, but even worse, I am using so much fuel to have that lumber trucked in. It is crucial 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.
Ive also heard in recent news that many people are opposed to mining gravel used in the building of 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. My point is this: you need the gravel either way. Either you purchase the gravel locally, promote local economy, and save fuel, or you can spend a lot of money on trucking, not promote the local economy, and have the same product.
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.

About the Author

Find more information regarding green architecture, read aia.org.

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<h1>Give me the low-down on green building</h1> <p> In our world today, people throw around the term "green" quite often. For example, we can be "green" by driving hybrid cars, reusing shopping bags, and recycling cans and bottles. Can our homes be included in our green lifestyle? Does green architecture exist? <br />Yes, you could be a hero and use recycled materials to build your home. Folks have done it. 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. <br />Consider the following: 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. Okay, so I am being a bad guy and using lumber, but even worse, I am using so much fuel to have that lumber trucked in. It is crucial 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. <br />Ive also heard in recent news that many people are opposed to mining gravel used in the building of 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. My point is this: you need the gravel either way. Either you purchase the gravel locally, promote local economy, and save fuel, or you can spend a lot of money on trucking, not promote the local economy, and have the same product. <br />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. <h2>About the Author</h2> Find more information regarding <a href="http://aia.org/" Title="Architect, green architecture ideas">green architecture</a>, read aia.org. </p>

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