Although enlightened corporations, institutions, and developers recognize the value of green design, many are still skeptical of investment in what they often see as “add-on” features or premium-priced equipment with limited economic benefits. Innovative, compelling green building and site techniques are valuable tools in defending a project’s overall green goals. Case studies will show that key sustainable moves can guard against budgetary and other pressures. Key factors in achieving this include intelligent green partnering, communicating in a way that inspires and educates disparate constituencies, and identifying and leveraging visible, integrated, and economically viable green practices.

   Learning objectives:

• Identify new possibilities for green design by considering full integration of typical architectural/site details and specifications as open to new refinements through design innovations created by the entire designer/constructor team
• Discuss approaches for identifying and creating visible, innovative, and economic green strategies as a “shield” for protecting less visible, more vulnerable features against value engineering cuts
• Appraise LEED criteria as a quantifiable starting point for green design thought and create new, project-specific sustainable design/construction ideas for almost every project