"Sustainable Criteria" Developed for Public Buildings

An environmental “Guidelines Team” has established criteria to be used in planning, designing, building, and managing “sustainable” public buildings. Among other things, the prototype guidelines call for a 75% reduction in energy use over code requirements; 50% reduction in water consumption over standard use; 65% reduction in energy operating costs; 75% reduction in general waste; and 85% reduction in construction waste. Other sustainability elements include increased durability, preservation of the natural, social, and cultural environment, and the use of environmentally safe methods to build, manage, and maintain such buildings.

The “21st Century: Environmental Design Guidelines for Public Buildings” were created by a group of architects, engineers, and environmentalists during a weekend think tank in June 1992 held at the Lighting Design Lab in Seattle, Washington.