A point that made an impression is the recovery time needed to offset the the carbon expended during the construction of a new green home; 35 - 50 years for a new home and 82 years for a demolition and rebuild of a green home. Certainly very close to the life span of the home it self!
So the question that needs to be answered: "Is the time and energy required to build a new green home really worth it?"
My answer is no because the payback for the energy consumed during construction is to long. And after 35 - 50 years, certainly after 82 years, the home will most probably be needing a rebuild or at least a remodel further extending the carbon / energy payback possibly to the point that there is no payback at all.
My conclusion:
Go a head and build New Construction "Green", it can't hurt and everyone can benefit from the acquired knowledge and experience; especially since New Construction projects far out number the Remodel / Rehab / Reuse projects.
The "Green Community" which includes Architects, Builders, Clients, and maybe most important, (for they can drive policies with more impact), Governing Municipalities, Zoning Commissions, Neighborhood Associations, Trade Organisations NAHB etc. need to concentrate on a policy of "Green And Save" existing buildings in order to receive the most bang for the buck.
Sep 16, 11 12:34 am
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QUANTIFYING THE VALUE OF BUILDING REUSE
It is kind of a long way to go to confirm some common sense thought.
Find lecture here http://www.aia.org/VirtualConvention/index.htm click on See the Courses Now
A point that made an impression is the recovery time needed to offset the the carbon expended during the construction of a new green home; 35 - 50 years for a new home and 82 years for a demolition and rebuild of a green home. Certainly very close to the life span of the home it self!
So the question that needs to be answered: "Is the time and energy required to build a new green home really worth it?"
My answer is no because the payback for the energy consumed during construction is to long. And after 35 - 50 years, certainly after 82 years, the home will most probably be needing a rebuild or at least a remodel further extending the carbon / energy payback possibly to the point that there is no payback at all.
My conclusion:
Go a head and build New Construction "Green", it can't hurt and everyone can benefit from the acquired knowledge and experience; especially since New Construction projects far out number the Remodel / Rehab / Reuse projects.
The "Green Community" which includes Architects, Builders, Clients, and maybe most important, (for they can drive policies with more impact), Governing Municipalities, Zoning Commissions, Neighborhood Associations, Trade Organisations NAHB etc. need to concentrate on a policy of "Green And Save" existing buildings in order to receive the most bang for the buck.
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