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Green Building

MARC supports local green building efforts because of their significant impact on protecting the environment. A “green building” is an environmentally responsible and healthy place to live and work.

Architectural design and construction practices can significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of a building on the environment and its occupants through:

• Sustainable site planning
• Safeguarding water and water efficiency
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Conservation of materials and resources
• Indoor environmental quality

Green building efforts exist both at the local and national level.

Local Efforts

• Heart of America Green Builder Program
  The Metropolitan Energy Center's (MEC) mission is to promote sustainable, efficient, and environmentally healthy communities in the Kansas City region. Through this program, they bring together a multitude of stakeholders from a variety of professions in the interest of promoting support for, and development of, green building practices and projects in the area.
  
  MEC has developed a Green Building Tool Kit for Local Governments CD-ROM. This tool kit will serve as an educational and instructional instrument for green building advocates seeking to promote the development and adoption of green building policies and incentives at the local government level. The tool kit contains
  • a model green building ordinance
  • a green building marketing presentation
  • local and national case studies
  • links and other resources.

  For more information, contact Bob Housh at 816/531-7283.

• The Greater KC Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council - This organizationl is a coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.
• Build Green
  This voluntary program developed by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City aims to bring together local buyers interested in green homes with the local builders that construct them. Members of the Build Green Council are homebuilders who have made a commitment to encourage homebuyers to build their next home with Build Green elements in mind.
• Heartland Green Sheets
  This Web site provides useful information about regionally-produced, recycled-content building products to architects, contractors, developers and manufacturers in the Kansas City region. It features a searchable database of recycled-content building products within a 500 mile radius of Kansas City and evaluates the products according to 10 specific criteria. The project can help local builders meet certain LEED™ certification requirements, a rating system for green buildings. The project is supported by the Kansas City Design Center with faculty at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Design.

National Efforts

• U.S. Green Building Council
  This coalition of leaders from across the building industry promotes buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Council members work together to develop LEED™ products and resources, the Greenbuild annual International Conference and Expo, policy guidance, and educational and marketing tools that support the adoption of sustainable building. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. LEED recognizes achievements and promotes expertise in green building through a comprehensive system offering project certification, professional accreditation, training and practical resources.
• American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE)
  provides the AIA with a body of knowledge on environmental and energy-related issues and advises them on related policy matters affecting the practice of architecture nationwide. The Committee supports cooperation with manufacturers, government agencies, environmental organizations, and industry groups in developing and testing environmentally sound materials.
• Healthy Building Network
  a national network of green building professionals and environmental and health activists. This site offers information on green alternatives to some traditional -- and potentially harmful -- building materials.
• GreenerBuildings.com
  A free resource on all aspects of designing, building, and operating buildings in ways that align environmental responsibility with more efficient, more healthful, and more profitable buildings. The site offers a wealth of news, tools, organizations, case studies, and other resources. This site is a partnership between the U.S. Green Building Council and GreenBiz.