Get-Going Green Construction
John Chrzanowski, partner and director of design at King-Casey Inc., a Westport, Conn.-based architect and design firm, gives first-step suggestions for moving toward environmentally friendly construction.
By Lisa Bertagnoli, Contributing Editor -- Chain Leader, 3/1/2009
Architects prefer the word "sustainable" over "green"; it speaks to a holistic approach, which encompasses reusing existing materials, recycling construction debris, careful choices that take into account a material's carbon footprint, and the building's long-term impression on the environment. If that sounds overwhelming, consider this advice: "Start doing little things," says John Chrzanowski, partner and director of design at King-Casey Inc., a Westport, Conn.-based architect and design firm. "It's becoming the price of entry for responsible dining." Here are some suggestions:
- Flooring: Recycled wood, which is attractive but expensive, or a lower-cost alternative, vinyl composite tile made of recycled plastic. Ceramic tile is naturally green.
- Paint: Low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint is cheaper and more readily available than it was even two years ago.
- Awnings: In warmer climates, awnings can cut air-conditioning use. Green "isn't always about recycling," Chrzanowski points out.
- Lighting: LED (light-emitting diode) lights "are as efficient as you can get," he says. The lights are more expensive than conventional bulbs, but deliver a trifecta of benefits: They last four to six times longer than conventional bulbs, use little power and generate little heat.
- Reuse of existing materials: In remodels, consider keeping what's there, be it a wood or concrete floor, instead of replacing it. Reuse means less debris destined for the dump and lower building costs.
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