Bruce and GB Listers:
I previously suggested the outline contents below for postings of
case studies. I have modified the original posting (January 4, 1997, or
thereabouts) which was focused on a prospective report on cabinets. I still
think this would be an extremely valuable way to inform about the specific
project and advance the general state of knowledge at the same time.
An excellent way to contribute would be to share what you learned in
planning, designing, financing, constructing, operating, maintaining,
renovating, or demolishing a building.
The critical elements for me would be the following:
1) the information you obtained that most influenced your decisions,
and what you could not obtain as well,
2) the process used to obtain the information that you relied on most
(phone, product literature, books/references, GB Listserv, other web sites,
etc.)
3) the criteria you used to make your selection including, if you had
it, the priorities you used to consider trade-offs among the various
elements of your total criteria set, any basis, rationale, or background
for selecting those criteria, (E.g., Was global climate change considered
more or less important than preserving natrual resources or reducing waste
generation? Was ozone depletion potential considered more or less important
than preserving biodiversity? Were human health needs of manufacturing
workers considered more or less important than those of building occupants?
Was there a ranking of environmental goals or an actual numerical weighting
used to make trade-off decisions? If so, was it LEEDS, BEPAC, BREEAM,
EcoIndicators, or some other?
4) the process to apply the criteria. (E.g., was this one person's
judgment based on information on hand, were others consulted, was a formal
evaluation process involved, if so, what, etc.?)
5) the most difficult challenges you faced in the process. (E.g.,
finding suitable alternative designs, products, etc.; getting reliable data,
interpreting data, making trade-off decisions, etc.)
6) your final choices and any reservations or concerns that might
remain in your mind about their environmental soundness.
7) What would you do differently if you had it to do over again?
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it sure would allow a
very focused dialogue to ensue on some fundamental principles and issues
surrounding "green" buildings.
Hal Levin <hlevin@cruzio.com>
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