Sustainability in Housing: The Final Project

Creating a completely sustainable building is an admirable task, but it can also be a very daunting one.  Organizations like the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program provide a system of checklists and qualifications for consumers to create an environmentally friendly building, but the process of becoming certified is often time consuming and very costly.  Furthermore, even “Platinum Certified” buildings have considerable room for improvement.  When this project first began, I initially wanted to theoretically design the perfect green building.  But as I began my research, I not only realized that this was not only a difficult task, it was actually impossible, since there is no such thing as a perfect green building. Too many factors are involved and new technologies are constantly emerging, meaning that a “perfect” sustainable building is obsolete almost immediately after it is built.  In addition, the costs of creating a new or remodeling an existing building to be “perfectly” green are often prohibitive.  Yet I strongly believe that many people want to do something to help the environment, and achieving sustainable housing is one of the most significant ways an individual or family can do so.  My goal shifted and became about finding ways for the average person to live more sustainably.  Since the US Green Building Council details five major areas of importance, I investigated how best to improve within these areas, as well as factoring in other ways to aid in creating a more sustainable building.

Sustainable building starts before the physical building is even constructed.  Site development is the first main area of importance. According to the LEED website, the sustainable sites category seeks to limit a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways.  It lists several ways of doing this, such as developing on previously developed land, using regionally appropriate landscaping, controlling storm water runoff, and limiting construction-related pollution (“What LEED Measures”, 2011).  If a person is building a new house, some of these examples are easier to implement than others, such as choosing a site that has already been developed.  However, with an existing house, it can still be possible to make a difference.  If a person is willing to invest more time and money, they could replace their concrete driveways with permeable or porous paving as a way to decrease erosion.  Pavers like pervious concrete allow rainwater to penetrate the ground, making the site as a whole more sustainable (“Permeable and Porous”, 2011).  Another straightforward way is through landscaping.  Choosing local trees and plants will ensure that they are right for the climate and plant hardiness zone, and won’t require extra maintenance or excess water to live.  Similarly, planting trees and shrubs rather than spreading mulch or gravel will help to reduce erosion.  Having a garden is helpful, but it is even better if you re-route your rain gutters so that storm runoff will water that area.  Placing rain barrels under downspouts to collect water after a storm is a simple and easy way to gather water for plants and gardens (Loehrlein, 2011).

The water efficiency category is important as well, both inside and outside the building.  Using water-conscious landscaping outside can make a significant difference.  However, it is also possible to achieve water reduction through more efficient appliances, fixtures, and fittings, as well as psychological changes to how people approach water use.  For those that have the financial means to purchase more efficient appliances, there are a wide range of technologies.  High-efficiency washers have become a popular way to conserve large amounts of water.  However, because the majority of a household’s water is used in the bathroom, looking for ways to improve water usage there will most drastically affect the overall sustainability of the house. Generally, toilets are responsible for 27% of total water use (“U.S. indoor water use”, 2011).  By installing dual flush toilets, where two different amounts of water are used for solid and liquid refuse, it severely decreases the amount of water wasted per flush.  However, since these toilets can be rather costly, another simple way to conserve water is to purchase cheap, ultra-low flow showerheads and faucet aerators.  By introducing air into the stream of water, it can cut water use by about 40% (“Bathroom water use”, 2011).  What will make the biggest difference however, is a shift in way of thinking of the inhabitants.  Taking shorter showers, turning off the water while brushing teeth, etc., are all simple measures that would result in significant changes from people actively trying to conserve water.  Though it is difficult to change a pre-existing mentality, if people understand the environmental and fiscal savings of changing small steps in their water-usage routine, water efficiency would be drastically improved.

Because limiting energy usage is a huge way to reduce our ecological footprint and live more sustainably, the LEED website lists many ways to improve energy efficiency.  Most importantly are efficient design and construction, efficient appliances, systems and lighting, and use of renewable sources of energy.  A significant amount of energy use in houses is through heating and cooling systems.  Ideally, houses should be well-designed and insulated at construction to limit excess loss of heat.  However, for existing homeowners, there are several steps that they can take to reduce heat loss.  Better insulation can have a major effect.  Especially in older homes, most heat is lost through the attic, so repairing, replacing, or increasing the amount of insulation in the attic and walls will result in better heat retention and lower energy costs (“Improved insulation”, 2011).  Windows are another significant source of heat loss.  High-efficiency windows, such as triple-paned windows, have been put into use and have become a better way to retain heat.  Additionally, energy-efficient appliances are designed to drastically cut energy use.  Over a decade ago, the Energy Star program was created with the purpose of creating appliances that operated on less power, and this technology has been constantly changing and improving (“Energy star history”, 2011).  Choosing Energy Star approved appliances is an easy way to cut energy costs and usage.  On a smaller scale, replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs will extend the lifecycle of the bulb in addition to consuming less electricity (“Energy-efficient lighting”, 2011).  However, like with water efficiency, the most drastic change that can be made when considering energy efficiency is a psychological one.  Changing people’s approach so that they shut off the lights, unplug electronics, or turn down the thermostat when not in use will make the biggest overall impact.

The next category, materials and resources use, is a category which can be applied throughout a building to make it more green.  This category “encourages the selection of sustainably grown, harvested, produced and transported products and materials.  It promotes waste reduction as well as reuse and recycling…” (“What LEED measures”, 2011).  There are thousands of ways that greener materials can be incorporated into a house.  For example, installing hard wood flooring could be made more sustainable if the wood selected is easily renewable or locally grown, which would cut down on deforestation and pollutants during transportation (“Green and eco-friendly hardwood flooring”, 2011).  Or, if carpet was selected, choosing a type of carpet that is recyclable at the end of its lifetime is a way of selecting for better materials.  One way to ensure the best use of materials is to select for durable materials that will have a longer lifespan and are not quickly replaced.  That way, transportation is limited and packaging that will be disposed of is reduced.  Additionally, choosing Cradle to Cradle certified materials will ensure that they are safe, eco-friendly, and able to be recycled at the end of their lifetime (“Cradle to cradle certification”, 2011).  Some materials, especially paints, release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can be harmful if inhaled, so it is important to select materials that emit low VOCs.

Selecting environmentally friendly materials and resources will also lead to improvement in the final category, indoor environmental quality.  This category promotes strategies that improve indoor air, natural daylight and views, and approve acoustics.  Since the amount of natural daylight and acoustics is generally based on the existing architecture, the easiest way for people to make improvements in this area is through an improvement in air quality.  The elimination of pollutants is the main goal, so avoiding activities with high amount of fumes like painting or varnishing is crucial, as is limiting VOCs (“Indoor environmental quality”, 2006).  Since it is inevitable that some pollutants will exist, the best way to improve the air quality is to simply open a window.  Introducing air flow from an outside source and moving it through the building using a fan increases ventilation, therefore improving quality of life.

The five major LEED certification categories merely scratch the surface on ways to make buildings more sustainable.  When constructing buildings from scratch, there are so many different factors to consider and implement, such as passive design, construction practices, and materials.  However, since sustainability can involve any amount of change, any improvements made are a step in the right direction.  Ideally, if a person desired to make their house more sustainable, they would implement one or more of these suggestions from each of the categories.  Yet, even if they make changes in only one area, they are still making an effort and are on the right track towards creating a more sustainable building or lifestyle.  Personally, I don’t have the ability or resources to build a completely sustainable house.  Nevertheless, because I sincerely believe that it is necessary to make changes to improve our environment for the future, I take these suggestions and enact them whenever possible, and have encouraged my family and friends to do the same.  Discovering all of these inexpensive, simple ways to help make buildings more sustainable has inspired me to share them with others, and hopefully make a difference improving the sustainability of housing.

Works Cited

Energy-efficient lighting. (2011). Retrieved from http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm

Energy star history. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_history

Green and eco-friendly hardwood flooring. (2011). Retrieved from http://green.findanyfloor.com/hardwood/AboutHardwood.xhtml

 Improved insulation. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes_features.hm_f_improved_insulation

Loehrlein, M. (2011). Sustainable landscaping. Retrieved from http://thesustainablelandscape.com/

McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. (2011). Cradle to cradle certification. Retrieved from http://www.mbdc.com/detail.aspx?linkid=2&sublink=8

National institute of building sciences: Indoor environmental quality. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq/intro.cfm

Permeable and porous pavers. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/porous_concrete_pavers/

United States Environmental Protection Agency, (2011). U.S. indoor water use. Retrieved from website: http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html

Utah Division of Water Resources. (2011). Bathroom water use. Retrieved from website: http://www.conservewater.utah.gov/IndoorUse/Bathroom/

What LEED measures. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1989

Sustainability in Housing: The Introduction

Of all of the basic human necessities, as renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow stresses in his Hierarchy of Needs, the need for shelter is among the most important (Mcleod, 2007).  In the past thousands of years, humans have evolved from living nomadically in caves and huts, to eventually establishing stable communities with permanent structures in which to live.  Previously the main and often only concern in choosing housing was survival.  Yet in today’s society, technological and social advancements mean that people now have the responsibility to not only worry about their own shelter, but how their choices in housing influence the world and environment around them.  While the overall concept of creating completely sustainable housing is an almost impossibly daunting task, there is still a way to achieve it.  Improving the sustainability of housing is an effort that could be carried out at many levels and has the potential to greatly impact the environment as a whole.

In order to determine what exactly sustainable housing consists of, it is first necessary to define the meaning of sustainability.  In 1987, the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (“Framing sustainable development,” 2007).  Essentially, sustainability combines this definition with the use of materials and methods that won’t deplete resources to ensure the future preservation of the area (Hendrickson, Conway-Schempf, Lave & McMichael, 1999).  Green Building emerged from this definition out of a desire to limit the negative impact on the environment when building homes or other developments.  Specifically, Green Building seeks to promote design, energy, water, materials, and waste efficiency while constructing or renovating buildings.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the oil price increase of the 1970’s and the environmental movement of the 1960’s combined to create a desire to explore more environmentally-friendly strategies (“Green building: Basic information,” 2010).  As environmentalists, builders, and consumers gradually became conscious of the need to create sustainable developments, in the 1990’s, numerous agencies were created to regulate and determine standards of building.  The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), one of the forerunners in the field, seeks “to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life” (“About USGBC,” 2011).  In 2000, the USGBC created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, a certification system that provides a set of strategies and qualifications for sustainable building (“What LEED is,” 2011).  By creating standards of performance in several key areas, LEED-certified buildings are not only better for the environment, but they have economic and health benefits for their occupants as well.  Based on a 100 point scale, LEED works with the building developers to ensure that every step of the project is completed in the way which best affects the environment, assigning a certification level to each completed project.  There are different sets of qualifications for various types of buildings, and the qualifications are updated quarterly to reflect any new technologies or changes (“LEED rating systems,” 2011).  Achieving LEED certification, regardless of the level of qualification, is a success because it represents the start of awareness for Green Building measures.

In recent years, as a supplement to LEED certification, Lifestyle Cycle Analysis (LCA) has emerged as a way to assess the impact of a material or method of development from its creation to its disposal (“Life cycle assessment research,” 2011).  What this means is that building materials, for example, are examined and analyzed on how efficiently they are able to be obtained, used, and either recycled or disposed of at the end of their life cycle.  LCA looks at the impact of this process as a whole on the environment as well.  Though still in its preliminary stages of investigation and use, LCA has the potential to categorically identify green materials to help improve sustainable building as a whole process.  When LEED, LCA, and other existing technologies, such as Energy Star appliances, are combined, they have the potential to completely revolutionize the standards for Green Building.

On a large scale, there are several ways to use these standards to achieve Green Building, one of them being passive design.  Passive design concepts are used by architects and designers to utilize the shape of the building and its location to reduce its ecological footprint (“Energy savers: Whole-house approach,” 2011).  For example, the design of the building, its positioning on the lot, and the insulation used can cut energy costs up to 90%, which is one of the main goals of sustainable building (“What is a passive house?”, 2011).  Passive design can also incorporate other areas, such as using solar-powered lighting in combination with window design to maximize lighting and eliminate energy waste (“Solar energy at home,” 2011).  Additionally, passive landscaping can be implemented by selecting plants that will eliminate the need for irrigation and water waste.  While passive design is typically used in new buildings, the potential for use when remodeling a building also exists, making it a viable way to achieve sustainable housing, even in older structures.

Though many of these programs seem to focus mainly on large-scale construction projects, there are many small components that can make a significant difference when considering the overall sustainability of a building.  LEED’s main areas of focus are sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality, so making small changes in these areas is an important step to beginning to make a building more green.  For example, materials selection is an area which is easily improved.  Making a better materials selection could range from anything to using more easily renewable wood when selecting furniture or selecting carpeting that can be recycled at the end of its lifetime.  One way to ensure this is to use Cradle to Cradle certified materials, which means that the material is safe, eco-friendly, and is able to be recycled for future use (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, 2011).  Additionally, indoor environmental quality can be improved by something as simple as eliminating harsh chemicals or using a fan to improve air circulation within the home (“An introduction to indoor air quality,” 2010).

Given the vast array of potential solutions or actions that are able to be taken to achieve Green Building, there is no question that it is possible to do so.  The question that must be asked then, is why is sustainable building so important?  As the first environmentalists noticed, everything in the environment is connected.  That is why, when a building is constructed, it not only affects the area on which it is built, but the wide area around it from which materials and resources are gathered or transported.  By promoting Green Building, people have the potential to control serious environmental issues, such as greenhouse gasses, soil runoff, deforestation and much more.  While at the present, the cost of implementing green materials can be significant, in the long run, they will actually have an economic benefit.  Green Building makes huge impacts on the environment, but is better for the consumer as well, as it promotes healthy living and helps to cut costs of heating, cooling, and more.  With these benefits, it is a wonder that the effort to achieve sustainability in housing has not already become a major issue in today’s society.

 

Works Cited

About USGBC. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=124

An introduction to indoor air quality. (2010). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/is-imprv.html

Energy savers: Whole-house approach. (2011). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Energy website: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10370

Framing sustainable development: The brundtland report-20 years on. (2007). Retrieved from United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development website: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/csd15/media/backgrounder_brundtland.pdf

Green building: Basic information. (2010). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/about.htm

Hendrickson, C., Conway-Schempf, N., Lave, L., & McMichael, F. (1999). Introduction to green design. (Carnegie Mellon University) Retrieved from http://www.ce.cmu.edu/GreenDesign/gd/education/gdedintro.pdf

LEED rating systems. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222

Life cycle assessment research. (2011). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/lcaccess/lca101.html

McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. (2011). Cradle to cradle framework. Retrieved from http://www.mbdc.com/detail.aspx?linkid=1&sublink=6

Mcleod, S. A. (2007). Maslow heirarchy of needs. Simply Psychology, Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Solar energy at home: Passive solar energy. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.solar-energy-at-home.com/passive-solar-energy.html

What is a passive house? (2011). Retrieved from http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PassiveHouseInfo.html

What LEED is. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988

 

Sustainability in Housing: The Introduction

Of all of the basic human necessities, as renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow stresses in his Hierarchy of Needs, the need for shelter is among the most important (Mcleod, 2007). In the past thousands of years, humans have evolved from living nomadically in caves and huts, to eventually establishing stable communities with permanent structures in which to live. Previously the main and often only concern in choosing housing was survival. Yet in today’s society, technological and social advancements mean that people now have the responsibility to not only worry about their own shelter, but how their choices in housing influence the world and environment around them. While the overall concept of creating completely sustainable housing is an almost impossibly daunting task, there is still a way to achieve it. Improving the sustainability of housing is an effort that could be carried out at many levels and has the potential to greatly impact the environment as a whole.
In order to determine what exactly sustainable housing consists of, it is first necessary to define the meaning of sustainability. In 1987, the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (“Framing sustainable development,” 2007). Essentially, sustainability combines this definition with the use of materials and methods that won’t deplete resources to ensure the future preservation of the area (Hendrickson, Conway-Schempf, Lave & McMichael, 1999). Green Building emerged from this definition out of a desire to limit the negative impact on the environment when building homes or other developments. Specifically, Green Building seeks to promote design, energy, water, materials, and waste efficiency while constructing or renovating buildings.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the oil price increase of the 1970’s and the environmental movement of the 1960’s combined to create a desire to explore more environmentally-friendly strategies (“Green building: Basic information,” 2010). As environmentalists, builders, and consumers gradually became conscious of the need to create sustainable developments, in the 1990’s, numerous agencies were created to regulate and determine standards of building. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), one of the forerunners in the field, seeks “to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life” (“About USGBC,” 2011). In 2000, the USGBC created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, a certification system that provides a set of strategies and qualifications for sustainable building (“What LEED is,” 2011). By creating standards of performance in several key areas, LEED-certified buildings are not only better for the environment, but they have economic and health benefits for their occupants as well. Based on a 100 point scale, LEED works with the building developers to ensure that every step of the project is completed in the way which best affects the environment, assigning a certification level to each completed project. There are different sets of qualifications for various types of buildings, and the qualifications are updated quarterly to reflect any new technologies or changes (“LEED rating systems,” 2011). Achieving LEED certification, regardless of the level of qualification, is a success because it represents the start of awareness for Green Building measures.
In recent years, as a supplement to LEED certification, Lifestyle Cycle Analysis (LCA) has emerged as a way to assess the impact of a material or method of development from its creation to its disposal (“Life cycle assessment research,” 2011). What this means is that building materials, for example, are examined and analyzed on how efficiently they are able to be obtained, used, and either recycled or disposed of at the end of their life cycle. LCA looks at the impact of this process as a whole on the environment as well. Though still in its preliminary stages of investigation and use, LCA has the potential to categorically identify green materials to help improve sustainable building as a whole process. When LEED, LCA, and other existing technologies, such as Energy Star appliances, are combined, they have the potential to completely revolutionize the standards for Green Building.
On a large scale, there are several ways to use these standards to achieve Green Building, one of them being passive design. Passive design concepts are used by architects and designers to utilize the shape of the building and its location to reduce its ecological footprint (“Energy savers: Whole-house approach,” 2011). For example, the design of the building, its positioning on the lot, and the insulation used can cut energy costs up to 90%, which is one of the main goals of sustainable building (“What is a passive house?”, 2011). Passive design can also incorporate other areas, such as using solar-powered lighting in combination with window design to maximize lighting and eliminate energy waste (“Solar energy at home,” 2011). Additionally, passive landscaping can be implemented by selecting plants that will eliminate the need for irrigation and water waste. While passive design is typically used in new buildings, the potential for use when remodeling a building also exists, making it a viable way to achieve sustainable housing, even in older structures.
Though many of these programs seem to focus mainly on large-scale construction projects, there are many small components that can make a significant difference when considering the overall sustainability of a building. LEED’s main areas of focus are sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality, so making small changes in these areas is an important step to beginning to make a building more green. For example, materials selection is an area which is easily improved. Making a better materials selection could range from anything to using more easily renewable wood when selecting furniture or selecting carpeting that can be recycled at the end of its lifetime. One way to ensure this is to use Cradle to Cradle certified materials, which means that the material is safe, eco-friendly, and is able to be recycled for future use (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, 2011). Additionally, indoor environmental quality can be improved by something as simple as eliminating harsh chemicals or using a fan to improve air circulation within the home (“An introduction to indoor air quality,” 2010).
Given the vast array of potential solutions or actions that are able to be taken to achieve Green Building, there is no question that it is possible to do so. The question that must be asked then, is why is sustainable building so important? As the first environmentalists noticed, everything in the environment is connected. That is why, when a building is constructed, it not only affects the area on which it is built, but the wide area around it from which materials and resources are gathered or transported. By promoting Green Building, people have the potential to control serious environmental issues, such as greenhouse gasses, soil runoff, deforestation and much more. While at the present, the cost of implementing green materials can be significant, in the long run, they will actually have an economic benefit. Green Building makes huge impacts on the environment, but is better for the consumer as well, as it promotes healthy living and helps to cut costs of heating, cooling, and more. With these benefits, it is a wonder that the effort to achieve sustainability in housing has not already become a major issue in today’s society.

Works Cited
About USGBC. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=124
An introduction to indoor air quality. (2010). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/is-imprv.html
Energy savers: Whole-house approach. (2011). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Energy website: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10370
Framing sustainable development: The brundtland report-20 years on. (2007). Retrieved from United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development website: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/csd15/media/backgrounder_brundtland.pdf
Green building: Basic information. (2010). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/about.htm
Hendrickson, C., Conway-Schempf, N., Lave, L., & McMichael, F. (1999). Introduction to green design. (Carnegie Mellon University) Retrieved from http://www.ce.cmu.edu/GreenDesign/gd/education/gdedintro.pdf
LEED rating systems. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222
Life cycle assessment research. (2011). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/lcaccess/lca101.html
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. (2011). Cradle to cradle framework. Retrieved from http://www.mbdc.com/detail.aspx?linkid=1&sublink=6
Mcleod, S. A. (2007). Maslow heirarchy of needs. Simply Psychology, Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Solar energy at home: Passive solar energy. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.solar-energy-at-home.com/passive-solar-energy.html
What is a passive house? (2011). Retrieved from http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PassiveHouseInfo.html
What LEED is. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988

Project Proposal–Sustainability in Building

While it is easy to push aside vague warnings of things like “global warming” and “deforestation” as problems for the next generation to solve, our world is so
interconnected that what happens in one part of the world is bound to affect another.  That is why it is important, rather it is imperative, that we all care about what is happening around us.  That is why I will choose to focus my project on the topic of sustainability through housing.  While there are many ways to achieve sustainability, one of the ways in which everyone could take part is by improving the place in which they live.  This could take several forms.  For some people, making changes such as turning off lights when not in use or slightly turning down the thermostat can go a long way towards making their home more sustainable.  For others, purchasing energy-saving appliances or adding insulation to their houses is a better option.

Primarily, I will be identifying several unique ways in which the average person can make their home more sustainable, and implementing those in my own life.  In addition, I will be researching ways to build entirely new houses in a sustainable way.  This would entail using recyclable or renewable materials when building, eliminating harmful chemicals when selecting paint or fabric, and improving insulation and indoor quality.  Even the structural design of the house could make it more energy efficient and eliminate wasteful use of resources.  For example, when the UW Education Building was remodeled, it achieved the highest level of green-built building by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Using this and other buildings as an example, and going off of the guidelines given by LEED, I will be looking into what it will take to make more buildings sustainable.