The New Hampshire Comparative Risk Project documented that the major hazards to the state’s environmental quality of life are linked to how we use land, energy, materials, and resources. As an extension of that project, a cross section of development professionals, along with natural scientists and public health experts are creating a set of voluntary recommended development practices at the site, building, grounds, neighborhood and town scales. The goal of this New Hampshire Minimum Impact Development Partnership is to demonstrate good development that minimizes: 1.) air, land and water pollution; 2.) energy use; and 3.) habitat loss.

The following annotated bibliography provides resources to help support discussion of minimum impact development at the scales of: 1.) Building; 2.) Site; 3.) Neighborhood; and 4.) Region. There is a section for each scale (although there is some overlap between the contents of various sections) and resources, if available, are listed within the following categories: A.) Projects; B.) Articles/Books/Writings; C.) Software; D.) Websites and Listservs; and E.) Organizations.

These references were gathered from a variety of sources and culled and edited to be useful for this project. Two particularly useful sources of information about minimum impact development are two email-based newsletters: GreenClips and Smart Growth News. The references taken from these sources are indicated below. The project managers encourage you to subscribe to these newsletters yourself.

Note: Web addresses are included for some references. Please keep in mind that some of these web addresses may no longer be correct, due to changes on the host website.

For additional information about the project or bibliography, please contact:

Katherine Hartnett
Director
New Hampshire Minimum Impact Development Partnership
The Jordan Institute
11 Stickney Avenue
Concord, NH 03301

Introduction

Table of Contents

Building
            Projects
            Articles/Books/Writings   
            Software
            Websites and Listservs
            Organizations

Site
            Projects
            Articles/Books/Writings
            Software
            Websites and Listservs

Neighborhood
            Projects
            Articles/Books/Writings
            Software
            Websites and Listservs

Region
            Projects
            Articles/Books/Writings
            Software
            Websites and Listservs
            Organizations

Appendix
            Original Items Obtained from GreenClips, Sustainable Design News by Email

Reference obtained from: GreenClips, sustainable design news by email; to subscribe: http://listserv.energy.wsu.edu/guest/RemoteListSummary/GreenClips

The Society’s headquarters. Self-guided tours available Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:00. Tel. 603-224-9945.

http://www.spnhf.org

http://www.buildinggreen.com/news/postoffice.html
http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/success/circle.shtml

http://www.ficus.usf.edu/orgs/fl_house/FL_HOUSE.htm

815 SE Clatsop, Portland, OR 97202, Tel. 503/222-2303

In Business. Volume 20, Number 6 (Nov/Dec 1998). p. 10.

Also at http://www.gggc.state.pa.us/building/scrob.html

http://www.montana.com/CRBT/recraft.html

http://urbanoptions.org/house/uohouse.htm

Tel. 512-505-3706

Identifies and guides the homeowner through choices about ecological principles including recycling, self-sufficiency, renewability, conservation and efficiency in one’s renovation project. Includes a checklist for making an ecological assessment of one’s home and has a resource section to locate "greener" products. Addresses: 1.) Space; 2.) Energy; 3.) Health; and 4.) Materials.

http://www.chelseagreen.com

An attractive picture book and overview of the environmental building movement, with profiles and case studies of important practitioners and practices.

Advocates the application of the principles of ecological design and engineering to real estate development. By applying the principles of the ecological revolution to the real estate industry, homes, workplaces and shops can be created that:

- Consume fewer material resources and use less energy yet enrich and invigorate the lives of their inhabitants;

- Provide shelter, water, light, heat, cooling and beauty while creating little or no air or water pollution;

- Are more durable and adaptable yet cost less to build; and

- Provide a sound foundation for future generations to improve upon. (The full text is online.)

This practical guide to designing energy-efficient buildings includes non-technical discussions of energy saving techniques for commercial, institutional, health care and high-rise residential buildings. Energy-Efficient Design and Construction of Commercial Buildings emphasizes technological aspects, including building envelope, glazing and solar control, HVAC equipment, heat recovery, cogeneration, electric lighting, controls and energy software.

Will show you a new common-sense approach to energy cost containment. This unique resource features a user-friendly format that takes you through a six-step process to identify savings potential and reach measurable cost savings. The graphic format is filled with charts, graphs, diagrams and worksheets.
It includes energy accounting methods for quantifying the dollars consumed by each significant energy use, strategies for discovering energy waste that typically goes undetected and expert guidance on setting up a process to minimize energy waste and continuously improve operating efficiency.

Some "green" homebuilders are advising real estate agents to support environmentally friendly construction and energy-efficiency programs, not only because they are ecologically responsible but also because they make good business sense. "Consumers are asking more questions about energy efficiency, and if they see a house as healthier and [believe] it uses less resources and takes less money to heat, it will help move the product faster"... Contrary to popular belief… building green homes does not necessarily have to cost more. Realtors can help educate buyers about green homes by learning about cost-saving energy packages available from local utilities and such green lending products as the one offered by the National Association of Home Builders and Fannie Mae… Also, green homes are typically healthier because they are constructed with environmentally conscious woods and carpeting that will not emit harmful chemicals.

McStain Enterprises is a home builder in Boulder, Colorado that follows environmental design principles focusing on land planning, New Urbanism, and resource-efficient building products and design, which have helped it take an environmental niche of the homebuilding market. For a detailed description, please see "Colorado Builder Embraces Green Principles" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

A database of over 600 green building materials and products selected specifically for their usefulness
to the design and building professions, rather than merely their green material content. The Guide is designed around four user interfaces familiar to architects: 1.) Site Plan; 2.) Elevation; 3.) Floor Plan;
and 4.) Section. Available as a manual or CD-ROM.

PO Box 3808, Redwood City, CA 94064

This landmark study makes a new economic case for green design in the workplace. Its message to corporate managers: while energy-efficient design can pay for itself in reduced energy costs alone, it may also produce vastly greater benefits in higher worker productivity, lower absenteeism, fewer errors, better quality and increased retail sales. Eight documented case studies show that productivity gains from green design can be as high as 16 percent.

Rocky Mountain Institute, 1739 Snowmass Creek Road, Snowmass, CO 81654-9199, Tel. 970/927-3851, Fax 970/927-3420

Increasingly, Americans are building energy-efficient homes constructed of ecologically sensitive, durable materials. Among the reasons for choosing this alternative are the desires to "build green," live in a building that does not compromise the environment or require much money to operate, and embrace nature. Another major driving force behind the interest in these homes is rising energy prices. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that the country’s 76 million residential buildings and 5 million commercial buildings, combined, account for a third of all the energy consumed nationwide and two-thirds of all electrical power. DOE’s Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development finds that energy-efficient housing could reduce the need for such high amounts of energy. Features of energy-efficient models can include poured-concrete walls, radiant heat in the inner walls and falls, an air exchanger to heat the home, and compact fluorescent lighting. Obtaining resources for such homes is still difficult, and such housing can be up to 8 percent more expensive than a conventional residence. In the end, lenders may be more willing to loan more money for these homes, knowing that the reduced energy bills will provide buyers with more disposable income.

This guide describes program development and green building techniques, discussing issues, costs, technologies, availability, practicality and additional references. Outlines local green building programs from six leading communities around the country. (The full text document is available as an Adobe PDF file on the website.)

400 Prince Georges Blvd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, Tel. 301-249-4000

Includes information on obtaining and building with recycled and other resource efficient materials.
Also contains information on resource efficient design and resources used in construction.

http://www.montana.com/CRBT/pub.html

Healthy House Building reveals the unsuspected sources of indoor pollution and provides readily available, real world solutions. This book covers every building component, including foundations, flooring, cabinets, paint, filters, ventilation, etc. Dozens of photographs illustrate many of the key points.

User-friendly summaries of cost-effective technologies and do-it-yourself measures to cut your home energy bill. Each four-page brief tells how to make your existing equipment work more efficiently and what to look for when choosing new equipment. Address many topics, including: 1.) Lighting;
2.) Windows; 3.) Appliances; 4.) Water heating; and 5.) Home cooling. (Available on the website.)

·     Homemade Money: How to Save Energy and Dollars in Your Home, First edition, by Richard Heede; Rocky Mountain Institute, Snowmass, CO. (1995). 258 pages.

A how-to guide for homeowners featuring hundreds of tips on weatherization, insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, hot-water heating, appliances, and lighting, plus advice on incorporating solar and other efficient design elements into new construction.

·     How to Build or Remodel Your Own "Green" House, by the Environmental Defense Fund; EDF Letter, vol. XXX, no. 3. (June 1999).

The Green Dream House is a dramatic demonstration of what any builder or remodeler can accomplish with recycled products today.

·     Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System Criteria,
by the US Green Building Council; San Francisco, CA

A voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven building rating system based on existing proven technology. It evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building’s life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a "green building." (This document is available as
an Adobe PDF file on the website -- although the file may be defective.)

·     The Natural House Book: Creating a Healthy, Harmonious and Ecologically-Sound Home Environment, by David Pearson and Malcolm Wells; Fireside Books. 1989.

Helps you redecorate any house or apartment to create a sanctuary that enhances personal well-being and minimize the environmental impact. Includes numerous illustrations.

·     The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live, by Sarah Susanka; Taunton Press. 1998.

The Not So Big House proposes design guidelines for homes that make us content and minimize the use of natural resources.

http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070259.asp

·     The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, by Steven Winter Associates. (1998).
291 pages.

This definitive book on designing passive solar homes supplies detailed information about all aspects of passive solar design and construction, including the information on the latest advances in material and assembly performance. In addition to a simplified manual calculation method, the book also profiles several computer design tools that take the drudgery out of the calculations. The book reviews passive solar space heating design principles, discusses the unique design opportunities offered by passive solar homes and describes "whole house" design. Important regional issues are addressed.

·     A Primer on Sustainable Building, First edition, by Dianna Lopez Barnett and William D. Browning; Rocky Mountain Institute, Snowmass, CO. (1995). 135 pages.

This book demonstrates how a holistic approach to design can result in a building even better than the sum of its parts. Topics include: 1.) Site and habitat restoration; 2.) Transportation integration; 3.) Edible landscapes; 4.) Energy-efficient design; 5.) Materials selection; 6.) Indoor air quality; and 7.) Cost implications. Includes an extensive bibliography and source lists.

·     ReCRAFT 90: The Construction of a Resource Efficient House, by the Center for Resourceful Building Technology; Missoula, MT. 56 pp.

This booklet provides field notes, lessons learned and materials selection and application information
in a narrative history from the construction of ReCRAFT 90 using forty recycled and resource efficient building materials. Photo illustrated.

·     Redesigning Buildings and Building Materials for Environmentally Intelligent Architecture, in: Eco-Pioneers: Practical Visionaries Solving Today’s Environmental Problems, by Steve Lerner; MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.

Architect William McDonough designs buildings based on three principles: 1.) "Waste equals food;"
2.) Take advantage of "current solar income" (minimize fossil fuels); and 3.) Respect and protect biological and cultural diversity. For example, avoid environmentally-destructive and toxic building materials and design building to work within nature. Article outlines McDonough’s work to build a green Wal-Mart in Lawrence, KS, addressing energy use, building materials, daylighting and aesthetics.

·     Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings, by John T. Krigger. (1996). 272 pages.

This manual, updated in June 1996, presents cost-effective and practical energy conservation measures for existing homes and multi-family buildings. With simple language and abundant illustrations, the book covers basic principles, materials, equipment and conservation measures.

·     The Search for Low-Impact Building Materials and Techniques, in: Eco-Pioneers: Practical Visionaries Solving Today’s Environmental Problems, by Steve Lerner; MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.

Article about Pliny Fisk III’s work to develop and utilize more environmentally-sensitive building materials, primarily through his Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems (Max’s Pot) in Austin, TX. The Center has constructed a test building, the Advanced Green Builder Demonstration, a 2000-square foot, $250,000 structure. Building materials minimize natural resource use and building design allows for easier renovation of the building in the future. Uses native building and landscaping materials.

·     Sustainable Building Sourcebook and Environmental Sustainability Checklist, by the Green Building Program, City of Austin, TX

Published by the acknowledged municipal leader in sustainable building design and review, Austin, TX, this sourcebook covers: 1.) Water; 2.) Energy; 3.) Building materials; and 4.) Solid waste. Used by builders to have their buildings certified by the city, through a voluntary process. The checklist helps builders, homeowners and business people reduce the environmental impact of their buildings through
the multiple phases of projects: 1.) Programming; 2.) Schematic Design; 3.) Design/Development; 4.) Construction Management; 5.) Commissioning; and 6.) Post Occupancy. (The full text of each section is available on the website.)

Tel. 512-505-3706

Checklist: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilder/commchklist.htm

·     Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Green Building Practices for Design, Construction and Operations, by the US Green Building Council; San Francisco, CA

This manual offers step-by-step guidelines for energy- and resource-efficient building during predesign, design, construction, operations, and management. It also includes chapters on sustainable building economics and future issues and trends. Addresses: 1.) Economics and Environment; 2.) Pre-Design Issues; 3.) Site Issues; 4.) Building Design; 5.) The Construction Process; 6.) Operations and Maintenance; and 7.) Issues and Trends.

110 Sutter Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel. 415/445-9500, Fax 415/445-9911

·     Three Steps to Greening Project Specifications, by Lynn M. Froeschle; The Construction Specifier. (October 1999). p. 53.

Green building specifications in the areas of procedures, products and applications can help create healthier and more environmentally sensitive buildings. This article outlines some considerations for changing building specifications. For a detailed description, please see "Three Steps to Greening Project Specifications" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability)

Software to help balance the environmental and economic performance of building products. BEES measures the environmental performance of building products by using the environmental life-cycle assessment approach of ISO 14000 standards. Economic performance is measured using the ASTM standard life-cycle cost method. Environmental and economic performance are combined into an overall performance measure. Addresses: 1.) Foundations; 2.) Basement construction; 3.) Superstructure; 4.) Exterior closure; 5.) Roofing; 6.) Interior finishes; and 7.) Site improvements.

US Green Building Council, 110 Sutter Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel. 415/445-9500, Fax 415/445-9911

·     Eco-Quantum, by IVAM
This computer software provides architects and building researchers with an easy and objective way to assess the full lifecycle environmental impact of a building and improve its design. For a detailed information, please see "Eco-Quantum: Building LCA Software" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     Energy-10: A Design Tool for Smaller Buildings
Software keeps the evaluation of energy performance simple so that it becomes feasible to painlessly incorporate these calculations into the design process of a small building.

The Architectural Machine, PO Box 3808, Redwood City, CA 94064

·     Heating-7 (and others)
This and other heat-flow modeling software programs help architects to observe and analyze energy loss caused by various building elements before construction begins. For a detailed description, please see "Simulations Plug Energy Leaks" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     Indoor Air Quality
This program explores how the environment of a typical home or office affects indoor air quality. Sources of various indoor air pollutants are discussed, along with associated health risks for each pollutant, and how to reduce pollutant levels. (This software is available for free on the website.)

http://www.epa.gov/seahome/indoor.html

·     REM/Design Energy Analysis Software, by Architectural Energy Corporation

User-friendly, yet highly sophisticated residential energy analysis and code compliance software. Developed for builders, remodelers and designers, REM/Design calculates heating, cooling, hot water, lights and appliance loads, consumption and costs for single- and multi-family designs in more than 250 North American cities. The software automatically analyzes the energy and economic performance of numerous energy design features including insulation, air leakage control, duct leakage, active and passive solar systems, mechanical ventilation and more. REM/Design automatically determines compliance with the Model Energy Code and ASHRAE 90.2 for both the prescriptive and performance paths. Includes User Guide and 247 climate files.

·     Residential Energy Efficiency
This program shows effective ways to reduce home energy consumption. Topics include insulation, windows, doors, weather-stripping, and caulking. Allows users to calculate how much they will save
by making their homes more energy efficient. (This software is available for free on the website.)

·     Residential Water Conservation Techniques
This program shows effective ways to save water inside and outside the house. Topics include: efficient toilets, showerheads and faucets; leak detection; and water efficient lawn care and gardening. Allows users to calculate how much they will save by installing water efficient devices in their homes.
(This software is available for free on the website.)

·     Water Efficient Landscape Planner
This program covers the basics of water efficient landscape planning and provides guidelines and suggestions to help users select the most appropriate plants for their needs. (This software is available
for free on the website.)

http://www.epa.gov/seahome/landscp.html

·     Energy Center of Expertise
This is a website of the federal government’s General Services Administration, through which the GSA helps other federal agencies be energy efficient and purchase environmentally clean energy.

http://www.gsa.gov/pbs/centers/energy

·     Energy Efficient Housing Construction
Part of the online Residential Energy Efficiency Database (REED). Addresses topics such as:
1.) Foundations; 2.) Exterior Walls; 3.) Windows and Doors; 4.) Roof Construction; 5.) Heating Systems; 6.) Ventilation; 7.) Water Conservation; 8.) Lighting and Appliances; and 9.) Home Maintenance.

http://www.its-canada.com/reed

·     Green Architect section of the Architectural Record website
A section devoted to sustainable design. With both original web-only content and information from the magazine, The Green Architect will look at newly built structures and those on the boards that are designed to respect and enhance the environment. The section will also feature green products based on criteria ranging from durability to recycled content to emissions.
http://www.archrecord.com

·     Big Green
This is an email discussion listserv focused on making large construction projects more sustainable. For a detailed description, please see "Green Building Discussion Forum Launched" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     GreenClips, Sustainable Design News by Email
An email-distributed summary of news on sustainable building design and related government and business issues published every two weeks by consultant Chris Hammer.

Tel. 415-928-7941

·     Homebuyers’ Green Scale
Today’s homebuyers often have environmentally friendly options from which to choose (E Magazine).

·     Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN), US Department of Energy

Provides information for homeowners, building operators, designers, public officials and others on building energy consumption, use of alternative energy and energy efficiency. Great issue overviews and ideas to consider. May be very useful in the development of chapter content.

http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings

·     Solstice: Sustainable Energy and Development Online.
Solstice is the Internet information service of the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST), providing information on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable living. Much of the information focuses on sustainable building practices, such as passive solar.

http://solstice.crest.org

·     Whole Building Design Guide
A comprehensive, Internet-based portal to a wide range of federal and private sector building-related guidance, criteria and technology. This interim version of the WBDG (version 1.5) provides users with guidance and resources on Sustainable Design. While major branches of the WBDG are still under construction, the information associated with Sustainable Design is largely complete and available for inspection.

http://www.wbdg.org

·     Alliance to Save Energy, Washington, DC
A nonprofit coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit the environment, the economy and national security. Provides resources for areas such as: 1.) Residential Energy Efficiency; 2.) Industrial Energy Efficiency; 3.) Commercial Energy Efficiency; and 4.) Energy Efficiency in Schools.

1200 18th Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036, Tel. 202/857-0666, Fax 202/331-9588,

http://www.ase.org

·     American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC
AIA’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) provides a forum for compiling, exchanging, and disseminating the environmental information that is essential to creating sustainable buildings and communities. The AIA’s Environmental Resource Guide provides a comprehensive compendium
of information on environmentally responsive design with a life-cycle focus on the environmental effectiveness of building materials.

1735 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006, Tel. 202/626-7300

http://www.e-architect.com/pia/cote/home2.asp

·     Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems (Max’s Pot), Austin, TX
A nonprofit education, demonstration and research organization with experience in the application of appropriate technologies and sustainable design practices to meet the needs of a broad range of users, from individual home builders to regional planning and natural resource agencies.

8604 F.M. 969, Austin, TX 78724, Tel. 512/928-4786, Fax 512/926-4418, Email: center@cmpbs.org

·     Center for Resourceful Building Technology, Missoula, MT
A nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible practices in construction. Constructing and operating buildings consumes more materials and energy than any other single activity in the United States.

http://www.montana.com/CRBT/mis.html

·     Energy Rated Homes of Vermont
This program helps Vermont homeowners bundle financing for cost-effective, energy-efficient home improvements into a home mortgage loan. ERH-VT’s services include conducting pre- and post-improvement energy ratings, obtaining contractor bids, overseeing the contractor’s work and
preparing documents needed to secure the mortgage. (by Mary James, Home Energy, July/Aug 1999, p. 12)

http://www.erhvt.org

·     Green Builder Program, City of Austin, TX
The nation’s first environmental building rating system. The Green Builder Program goal is to influence building practices to become sustainable: 1.) Conserve energy, water and other natural resources; 2.) Preserve the health of our environment; 3.) Strengthen our local economy; and 4.) Promote a high quality of life for the citizens of Austin.

·     Green Building Alliance, Pittsburgh, PA
A nonprofit organization that provides expert services and reliable information to facilitate green building solutions. Helps evaluate green building at four levels: 1.) Building; 2.) Site; 3.) Community; and
4.) Region. Maintains an in-house library.

64 South 14th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, Tel. 412/431-0709, Fax 412/431-1432

·     Green Building Financial Initiative
Fannie Mae and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will begin working with home builders, lenders and other community partners to test and develop a menu of mortgage financing products based on environmentally efficient green building criteria. This menu of mortgage options
would allow the consumer to capture the benefits of environmentally-responsible construction,
including lower operating costs, reduced maintenance and increased durability.

·     ICLEI and the Green Buildings Project, Toronto, Ontario
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) is an association of local governments dedicated to the prevention and solution of local, regional, and global environmental problems through local action. The goal of the Green Buildings Project is the pioneering of new methodologies for reducing energy consumption in municipal buildings, including the development of innovative strategies for financing comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits. One of the sub-projects is the Energy $mart Cities Initiative: a partnership between ICLEI, Public Technologies Inc., and the Climate Institute, formed to promote energy efficiency among municipalities throughout the United States.

·     New Hampshire Environmental Guild of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Architects, builders and developers promoting environmentally-responsible built environments in New Hampshire. Contact Paul Leveille (see you participant list) for more information.

·     Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc., Lexington, MA
A nonprofit regional organization founded to increase and coordinate energy efficiency efforts in New England, New York and the mid-Atlantic region. NEEP’s primary goal is to reduce the harmful pollution that results from energy use. NEEP’s initiatives address: 1.) The residential sector (energy efficient residential lighting; high efficiency clothes washers and Energy Star appliances; residential HVAC equipment and practices; and energy codes) and 2.) The commercial and industrial sector (premium efficiency motors; packaged HVAC equipment and practices; DesignLights Consortium (commercial lighting); and energy codes). NEEP is also considering other initiatives.
5 Militia Drive, Lexington, MA 02421

http://www.neep.org

·     Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Greenfield, MA
Regional organization promoting responsible built environments, energy policies and alternative transportation.

http://www.nesea.org

·     Resource Conservation Program, Montgomery County, MD
A strong engineering focus and awareness within the facilities management arena has led to impressive levels of savings in both new construction and existing County-owned buildings. Staff understand that buildings must be treated as dynamic systems.

·     US Green Building Council, San Francisco, CA
The building industry’s only balanced, nonprofit, consensus coalition promoting the understanding, development and accelerated implementation of green building policies, programs, technologies, standards and design practices.

110 Sutter Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel. 415/445-9500, Fax 415/445-9911,
Email: info@usgbc.org

·     Miller SQA Building (commercial), Holland, MI
A 295,000 square foot office, manufacturing and distribution center that is a crescent-shaped single-story structure that follows the natural contours of the site, adjoined by a created wetland that processes and purifies the building’s stormwater. The building is heated and cooled passively and is equipped with state-of-the-art ventilation systems. A daylit interior "street" serves as the spine of the building, encouraging interaction among employees. The entire building is brightly daylit, with roof monitors, skylights and sloped glazing. Photo sensors control artificial light, substantially reducing energy consumption. Parking is organized along an access road, limiting paved surfaces to heavily trafficked areas. Cars and trucks are shielded from the view of nearby residents by large earthworks and a newly planted forest. The building, although quite large, disappears into its landscape due to its shape and profile. The passive solar heating and natural ventilation, high-efficiency lights with electronic sensors, natural drainage, native plantings, constructed wetlands, and commitment to recycling have substantially increased both worker productivity and quality of work, decreased natural gas consumption by 7%, water and sewer costs by 65%, and electric costs by 18% when compared to their previous facility. Built at $49/square foot, this building could pay for itself through increases in worker productivity alone.
The Miller SQA building has won numerous awards for its design.

·     Site Planning Demonstration Project, Chesapeake Bay watershed
The Center for Chesapeake Communities and the Chesapeake Bay Program will select a parcel of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed on which three site planning scenarios will be developed and analyzed to determine which development design and pattern is most sustainable. An advisory team and a technical team, consisting of representatives from all levels of government, universities, the home builders industry and a developer will lead the preparation and analysis of the site plans. Will complete an analysis of the economic, ecological and quality of life impacts of each of the site plans to determine the most sustainable design. Will also develop site planning guidelines for developers interested in promoting sustainable patterns and densities of development.

Center for Chesapeake Communities, 209 West Street, Suite 201, Annapolis, MD 21401,
Tel. 410/267-8595 or 800/826-5359, Fax 410/267-8597

http://www.chesapeakecommunities.org/support.html

·     Consensus Agreement on Model Development Principles to Protect Our Streams, Lakes and Wetlands

Twenty-two model development principles provide design guidance for economically viable, yet environmentally sensitive development. Developed to provide planners, developers and local officials with benchmarks to investigate where existing ordinances may be modified to reduce impervious cover, conserve natural areas and prevent stormwater pollution. These development principles identify areas where existing codes and standards can be changed to better protect streams, lakes and wetlands at the local level. The development principles are divided into the three following areas: 1.) Residential Streets and Parking Lots (Habitat for Cars); 2.) Lot Development (Habitat for People); and 3.) Conservation of Natural Areas (Habitat for Nature).

http://www.pipeline.com/~mrrunoff/mldp.htm

·     This addition to the Wiley Series in Sustainable Design is a collection of essays on ecological planning and landscape architecture, with an emphasis on ecological preservation and enhancement of a site.

·     Filling In: Builders Using Smaller Sites to Meet Demand, by Jack Snyder; Orlando Sentinel, October 19, 2000, p. B1.

Several years ago, homebuilders wanted only large-scale projects, but the recent surge in demand for houses closer to good schools and employment centers has had developers scrambling for smaller sites. The demand for closer-in locations is so high that if buyers cannot find a new house, they will buy an existing one instead. "The motivation is, a lot of the market is demanding more convenient housing," explains Jim Lewis, president of Charles Wayne Consulting Inc., a Maitland, Florida, real-estate research company. What was considered useless 10 years ago may be in high demand today.

·     For Shopping Malls, a Return to Wide-Open Spaces, by Michael White; The Boston Globe, June 21, 1998, p. F15.

Developers are designing new retail shopping malls that are open-air and pedestrian-oriented, like former Main Street stores.

·     Green Development: Literature Summary and Benefits Associated with Alternative Development Approaches, by the US EPA; Document 81-B-97-001. (Sept. 1996).

Reviews the potential savings in cost and natural resources from green development and provides resources, including a large annotated bibliography, for additional information. Indicates that green development has the potential to improve quality of life, increase property values, expand local businesses, encourage alternative transportation, and reduce development and maintenance costs.

·     Low-Impact Development Design Manual, by the Department of Environmental Resources of Prince George’s County, MD; (Nov. 1997).

This manual outlines the goals and operations of the County’s site development review, especially related to water quality and quantity and other natural resource issues. Promotes the use of less expensive, more natural on-site stormwater management techniques. The goal of low-impact development site planning is to allow for full utilization of the property while maintaining the predevelopment hydrologic regime (volume, frequency, peak runoff rate) to the greatest extent possible.

·     Moribund Mall Set to Breathe New Life as Tree-Lined Town Center, by George Homsy; The Boston Globe, (unknown date).

Eastgate Mall in Chattanooga, TN will be redesigned to include public space, community facilities and even a church to re-create it into a new town center.

A demonstration of how a residential development can be constructed, using a comprehensive water management approach, to result in limited or insignificant impacts to the existing biological ecosystem… Tries to design a site in such a way so it will function hydrologically as its pre-development conditions. By reducing changes to existing grading, minimizing destruction of valuable forest, wetland and riparian habitat, and providing additional water quality benefits on each residential lot (operates at micro level), the relative impacts to the site’s existing ecosystem will be reduced significantly. Added benefits of public outreach and education to control residential activities such as fertilizer and pesticide applications. Uses Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Competitive grant funding assistance.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/czm/nps/Mp96sum.html

·     Sustainable Site Design Philosophy

Written for National Park Service properties, thus it is focused on visitor/tourist destinations, but includes valuable site design considerations: 1.) Site selection; 2.) Site access; 3.) Utilities and waste systems; 4.) Site-adaptive design considerations; 5.) Construction methods and materials; 6.) Native landscape preservation/restoration; 7.) Visitor safety and security. (The full text is available on the website.)

·     Tree Selection (brochure), by the International Society of Arboriculture; Urbana, IL. (1991).

Helps site developers choose and utilize trees for shade, energy savings, wind breaks, privacy and other purposes.

·     RUSLE2 (and others)

Various computer programs can help landscape architects evaluate and mitigate potential soil erosion due to wind or water. For a detailed description, please see "Software Predicts Soil Loss by Wind and Water" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     Site, Solar and House Planning

Part of the online Residential Energy Efficiency Database (REED). Addresses topics such as: 1.) Initial Planning; 2.) Solar Planning; 3.) Passive Solar; 4.) Solar Spaces; 5.) Interior Planning; 6.) Room Layout and Traffic Flow; 7.) Adapting a Plan to Your Family; and 8.) Adapting a Plan to Your Site.

http://www.its-canada.com/reed

III.A. Neighborhood: Projects

·     Civano, Tucson, AZ
A master-planned community. Three tenets of Civano: 1.) Create a sense of place that fosters community and connect people to one another and their natural environments; 2.) Aspiring to tread lighter on the land through innovative design; and 3.) Introducing sustainable construction materials and new technologies to advance our quality of life. Energy and resource conservation is carefully planned into all aspects of Civano from the ground up, to provide a unique, healthy environment.

·     El Dorado County, CA
Developers are laying pipes that will irrigate front and back yards of an El Dorado County community with recycled water. Wastewater from toilets, faucets and other ordinary household sources will be piped to a treatment plant, then pumped back to homes in pipes that are distinct from those that carry potable water. The pipes carrying recycled water will be linked to front and back yard sprinkler systems.
(by Nancy Vogel, The Sacramento Bee, July 19, 1999)

·     Farmview, Yardley, PA
An open space subdivision within permanently preserved farmland and forest, including multiple small villages and appropriate design considerations. Article also includes a valuable review of the subdivision’s marketing program.

Project Reference File, April/June 1993, Volume 23, Number 7, The Urban Land Institute, Washington, DC

·     Haymount, Caroline County, VA
A 1,600-acre residential and commercial development. Designed similarly to the traditional towns of early Virginia, the community is laid out as a series of neighborhoods, with home, work and shopping needs within a five minute walk. Eventually, Haymount will contain approximately 4,000 residential units, 500,000 square feet of office space and light industrial/flex space and 250,000 square feet of retail space. Planned with environmental and social goals in mind. For example, the site plan includes details about advanced wastewater treatment, including the use of constructed wetlands and other biotechnical measures… Haymount will include a farmers’ market and an organic farm. Will have playgrounds and parks in each neighborhood. Native plant species will be used in the landscaping and 70% of the land will be left in its natural state.

·     Hidden Springs, near Boise, ID
This new master-planned community is composed of three distinct neighborhoods that provide a sense of small-town, rural living in a way that embraces principles of sustainability. For a detailed description, please see "Idaho Development Embraces Sustainability Principles" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     Jackson Meadow, Marine on St. Croix, MN
A 145-acre parcel of high ground in open meadows and wooded hills. Utilizes a cluster-housing model, allowing for the preservation of over 70 percent of the site as open space. Housing and street patterns are derived from existing models in Marine, and the development is organized topographically with neighborhoods oriented toward a central green. In lieu of typical suburban streets, each neighborhood block shares a pedestrian way located between the fronts of houses. Each pedestrian way connects directly to over five miles of walking and cross-country skiing trails and residents are within a ten-minute walk to the local elementary school and Marine’s downtown village center. Development rights were transferred from the land designated as environmentally sensitive to the area where the housing has been clustered. Conservation easements, legal agreements protecting specified property from ever being developed, were placed on 170 acres of adjacent land. Communal constructed wetlands, which remove
up to 95 percent of pollutants from wastewater before it enters the infiltration area, are used in place of conventional individual septic systems (where only 40 to 50 percent of pollutants are removed prior to discharge). Stormwater runoff is reduced through narrower road widths, shorter driveways, and mown rather than paved pedestrian surfaces. (The website provides a good overview of the project.)

http://www.jacksonmeadow.com

Suburb in Disguise, by Alex Marshall; Metropolis. (1996).

http://jya.com/amarsh.txt

·     Poundbury, Dorchester, UK
A residential development in England that features housing with 18^th and 19^th century designs, narrow streets and a more village-like feel.

One Prince’s Cause is Another Man’s Castle, by Warren Hoge; The New York Times, Thursday, June 11, 1998, pp. C1, C7.

·     Prairie Crossing, IL
New residential development with homes built in venacular farmhouse style; community center, open space and agriculture; walkable neighborhoods; and energy-efficient design (based on the US Department of Energy’s Building America Program). Individuals were determined to build a community where people could enjoy the beautiful open landscape near the Liberty Prairie Reserve. The community will have only 317 single-family homes on 667 acres of gently rolling countryside, with more than 350 acres devoted to gardens, prairies, pastures, farm fields, marshes and lakes. There will be more than 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking, riding and cross-country skiing and an underpass connecting the trails directly to the Liberty Prairie Reserve. A 22-acre lake offers swimming, fishing and canoeing. Three prominent Chicago architects have designed sixteen different homes for Prairie Crossing residents, inspired by local farmhouses.

http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/building_america

http://www.isdesignet.com/Magazine/Apr'97/Dawn.html

·     Sharyland Plantation, TX
Developers of Sharyland Plantation plan to provide future residents with the option to power their homes with fuel cells, a less polluting electricity source than fossil fuels. For a detailed description, please see "Texas Developer to Offer Residential Fuel Cells" in the GreenClips section of the Appendix.

·     Sorrento Cay, FL
Forty-six houses in that will be environmentally sensitive to native greenery and other natural surroundings. The homes will be certified with an Energy Star label from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy; and they will include a number of energy-conserving features, such as thermal windows, solar water heating and compact fluorescent lighting. The stricter energy standards on the homes may increase their cost by about 12 percent; but lower utility bills will offset these premiums. Developers say the community is designed to blend with the surrounding land and encourage a natural habitat. (by Dorothy Stockbridge-Pratt, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, December 5, 1999, p. 1I)

·     Village Homes, Davis, CA
Village Homes is a planned unit development of single-family homes, apartments, a community center and office building on a 60-acre site… Village Homes features solar water and space heating, natural cooling systems, agricultural areas and greenbelts, cooperative maintenance of common areas, a well-used bicycle and pedestrian path network, and a natural drainage system… The project serves as a national model for environmentally sustainable development, energy-conserving planning, architecture and engineering, and community planning. Energy consumption is one-third to one-half that of neighboring development. Homes sold quickly when the development was first built. (The full text
is available on the website.)

·     Best Development Practices: Doing the Right Thing and Making Money at the Same Time, by Reid H. Ewing, et al.; Planners Press, Chicago, IL. (1996). 180 pages.

Draws upon case examples of some of today’s most acclaimed developments… and recommends "best practice" guidelines to help developers create vibrant, livable communities -- and still make money.
The 43 practices outlined in this book cover four areas of development: 1.) Land use; 2.) Transportation; 3.) The environment; and 4.) Housing. They apply to a broad range of development projects, including small planned communities, residential subdivisions and commercial centers. The book’s recommendations are based upon the experiences of successful developers and supported by empirical research.

http://www.planning.org/bookstore

·     Builders Test Traditional-Neighborhood Concepts, by Rich Laden; Miami Herald Online.
(Sept. 26, 1999).

·     Can Smaller Be Better?, by Elizabeth Bennett; Philadelphia Business Journal Online.
(October 11, 1999).

New Urbanism is taking hold in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The philosophy represents a departure from conventional, vehicle-dependent housing and commercial development patterns. New Urbanist communities are built more closely to the way towns were developed prior to World War II, enabling people to bike or walk to work. The principle, which calls for housing to be built within 2,000 feet of the community’s commercial center, is largely a response to sprawl. An example of the New Urbanism concept at work is the Hankin Group’s Eagleview complex in Exton, PA. The development covers roughly 800 acres and will feature 250 homes built with detached garages and alleyways. The plan also includes a town center, a retail center and an undisclosed number of civic buildings. Several big-name companies have already opened offices at Eagleview, including Xerox and ViroPharma. Eagleview’s homes come in a number of styles and designs so that people and families of different tastes and economic status can live there.

·     Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks,
by Randall Arendt; Island Press, Washington, DC. (1996). 184 pages.

Proposes a step-by-step approach to conserving natural areas by rearranging density on each development parcel as it is being planned so that no more than half the buildable land is turned into houselots and streets… Allows the balance of property to be permanently protected and added to an interconnected network of green spaces and green corridors. Provides model zoning and subdivision ordinance provisions and site plans.

·     Conservation Subdivision Design: A Four-Step Process; Natural Lands Trust, February 1995, 8 pages.

Concise overview of open space subdivision design. Text and drawings convey concepts and provide examples.

Hildacy Farm, 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, PA 19063, Tel. 610-353-5587, Fax 610-353-0517

http://www.natlands.org

·     Creating Open Space Networks: Through an Integrated Set of Land-Use Techniques, by Randall Arendt; Natural Lands Trust, Media, PA

Another overview of open space subdivision design.

·     Developers Find Thinking "Green" Makes Good Sense, by Carl Cronan; Business Journal of Tampa Bay Online. (Sept. 6, 1999).

Today’s homebuilders… ar