Carlson Pitch

GOING GREEN (Carlson): Pitch
Are green buildings practical in an age of terrorism? Can sustainable principles be effectively coupled with existing fire and building codes? Do green buildings actually provide a higher level of safety than non-green buildings?The rise in importance of environmental issues has brought into question how to accommodate current fire and building code regulations within the broader context of sustainability. Building permitting agencies struggle to reconcile environmentally responsible practices with the patchwork of existing prescriptive regulations -- likely including those established through Local Law 86 and other post-9/11 requirements.The most well-known organization to have developed standards to address sustainable development is the United States Green Building Council. The council launched the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system in 1998. However, while developers and builders seek to go green, it has become clear to some that sustainability standards do not mesh well with established regulations in certain instances. For example, there are often maximum densities, allowable heights of structures, and parking/road requirements that cause difficulties in ensuring that LEED design principles are being met. Also, some green designers have contemplated installing under-floor ventilation or using straw bale construction as a way to gain LEED points; however, these practices have yet to be approved for safety.Specifically, I would like to investigate the construction of the Freedom Tower which is set to meet Gold level LEED standards. In fact, the tower project has achieved this certification by creating the World Trade Center Sustainable Design Guidelines. Furthermore, I would like to ascertain or at least bring up the question as to whether green buildings can actually provide a greater level of protection from air or fire emergencies.
Posted by Kathryn Carlson at 5:50 PM