Green by Design

  • By Deb Moore
  • 10/01/10
Sustainability, green, high-performance — different words, similar meaning. In the ‘60s, it was about the environment. In the ‘70s, it was about gasoline shortages and energy efficiency. Today’s green building movement grew out of the need and desire for both — energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Ten years ago, many thought that the green buildings movement would be a passing phase. History will show that it is not. This is one movement that has the buy-in of all age groups, from the flower children of the ‘60s to the young children of today. We have the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, the USGBC's Center for Green Schools, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and many other organizations leading the way.

A great deal of effort is going into educating people on the importance and benefits of green, and the message is not going unheard. On many college campuses, the green movement is student-driven. In K-12 schools, new buildings are being built as teaching tools, informing students about energy and the environment. The message is even reaching children who are not even old enough to go to school, just by watching TV.

Last year, Disney launched their Friends for Change: Project Green program. The aim of their program is to empower children to take charge when it comes to the environment, whether it's their own piece of the planet or a big picture approach. In 12 months, young children have made nearly two million personal promises to change their daily routines, from unplugging electrical devices when not in use, to taking shorter showers. With nearly two million promises, kids have pledged to annually cut 70,000 tons of carbon emissions, reduce/recycle 2.4 million pounds of trash and save 120 million gallons of water per month. With programs like this, we are ensuring that the green movement will continue to grow.

Going green is still a relatively new concept for most. To do our part, we have included a special section in this issue of the magazine that showcases good ideas in planning and design. If you turn to page 40, you will find the winners of our 2010 Sustainability & Innovation Awards. The objective is to recognize innovation, share best practice, provide schools and colleges access to inspirational ideas in green design and make our educational facilities better places to teach and to learn.

Featured

  • Electrifying Bus Fleets

    Now is an excellent time for K-12 “yellow” school buses, college campus transportation, and public transit systems to transition to zero-emission electric buses instead of traditional gas or diesel-powered models.

  • Case Systems makerspace

    Case Systems Launches Line of K–12 Learning Spaces Installations

    Case Systems recently announced the launch of SALTO, a line of classroom fixtures and installations for K–12 learning spaces like STEM labs, art rooms, and makerspaces, according to a news release. The product line is designed to provide teachers with flexibility and adaptability, enabling them to shift between collaborative and individual learning environments.

  • Massachusetts Charter School Opens New Academic Building

    The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, Mass., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new academic building, according to a news release. The 17,000-square-foot space will serve as a classroom and science lab building for the student population of almost a thousand in grades 6–12.

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    zSpace Introduces Headset-Free AR/VR System

    Immersive learning company zSpace has debuted the zSpace Imagine Learning Solution, a headset-free AR/VR laptop system designed for elementary education. The all-in-one platform integrates hardware, software, and hands-on lessons to create dynamic learning experiences for young students.