Research Guide: Green Building Projects in California

Overview

  Green building (also known as sustainable building) refers to the design and construction of buildings that have a minimal impact on the environment.  Green building projects in California has become a major issue of discussion over the past several years.  The state of California has been balancing the idea of sustainable building as a requirement for all building projects in order to fight climate change and protect the environment.  In the year 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a legislation that was meant to establish green building projects as law.  Recently on Friday July 21, 2008, California became the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide code for green construction practices.  All members of the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) voted in favor of new building provisions mandating reductions in energy use, conservation of water, job-site erosion control, recycling of construction waste and other wastes, and a number of steps to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).  These new requirements will take effect over the next few years in phases, beginning with energy efficiency.  The purpose of this guide is to provide several resources in which a student could perform accurate research regarding both current and past records of this topic.

 

Library of Congress Subject Headings

 

            The Library of Congress Subject Headings does not use the terms Green Building or Sustainable Building.

            The heading Green Products is a good, broad term, but it also encompasses household products like cleaners.

 

Narrower terms to locate green construction resources include:

·      Buildings -- Environmental aspects

·      Dwellings -- Environmental aspects

·      Building materials -- Environmental aspects

·      House construction -- Environmental aspects

·      Buildings -- Repair and construction -- Environmental aspects

 

Helpful dewey decimal classification numbers include:

·      Maintenance and repair: 720.288

·      Building materials: 691

·      Architecture and the environment: 720.47

 

Key Words

 

·      Sustainable development

·      Sustainable buildings

·      Green buildings

·      Land use regulation

·      Environmental law

·      Boolean operators:  Architecture and (or +) energy conservation, buildings and (or +) environmental aspects

 

Reference Sources

 

 

·      Dictionary of environment and sustainable development / Alan Gilpin. Chichester; New York: Wiley, c1996.

EnvDesign HC79.E5 G518 1996 Reference

Comprises of over 2,000 entries defining terms and concepts relating to   environmental planning, management, conservation and sustainable development.  Containing more entries than any other previously published dictionary of its     kind, this book is an essential reference for students.

 

·      Environmental encyclopedia / William P. Cunningham, eds. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, c1998.

EnvDesign GE10 .E58 1998 Reference

Includes definitions, cultural movements, biographies, regional events, community actions and a short bibliography for each entry.  Has entries related to sustainable architecture.

 

• Green Building A to Z: understanding the language of green building / Jerry Yudelson. Gabriola, B.C.: New Society Publishers, 2007.

ENVI TH880. Y633 2007 Reference

Offers the basics of green building and shows how it relates to key issues such as, water conservation, healthy buildings, use of recycled materials, reduction of carbon dioxide, and environmental site planning.

 

Print Books

 

·      Green Architecture (Architecture and Design)/ James Wines and Philip Dodidio. Köln ; New York : Taschen, ©2000.

            NA682.O73.W56 2000

Contains excerpts regarding the state of California and its involvement in sustainable building projects.  Also shares ecological history and how it has led to environmental architecture today.

 

·      Sustainable energy systems engineering: the complete green building design resource/ Peter Gevorkian. New York: McGraw-Hill, ©2007.

            696/GEVORKIAN

Contains information regarding the California Green Building Action Plan and       Rebate Incentive Plan.  Offers tips and techniques for maximum energy efficiency.

 

·      Pure California: 35 Inspiring Houses in the New California Tradition/ Aram Bassenian;  Laura Hurst Brown;  Bassenian/ Lagoni Architects (Firm).  Newport Beach, Calif. : Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, 2003.

            720 PUR

         Lists 35 houses built through sustainable architecture in California.

Periodicals

 

            The following periodicals can be accessed through ProQuest under sustainable architecture.  Each of these periodicals contain articles related to the subject of sustainable building projects and are extended in relation to the impact the projects have made on the state of California and the economy.

 

·      Krisandra Guidry (2004) How Green Is Your Building? An Appraiser's Guide to Sustainable Design, Copyright “Appraisal Institute,” Winter 2004, Vol. 72, Iss. 1; pg. 57, 12 pgs, Document ID: 548879881, Document URL

This periodical discusses the negative effects toxic wastes have had on the environment and how green design has evolved building standards in order to benefit the future of energy efficiency.  The materials involved are mentioned and described.  California is mentioned as being one of the first states to adopt detailed sustainable building construction policies.

  

·      Lynn Boyden and James Weiner (2000) Sustainable libraries: teaching environmental responsibility to communities, Copyright MCB UP Limited (MCB) 2000, “The Bottom Line,” Vol. 13, Iss. 2; pg. 74, Document ID: 84987681, Document URL

This periodical discusses different sustainable building projects, primarily libraries, some of which take place in California.

 

·      William McDonough (2006) DESIGN for LIVING, Copyright (c) Time inc., Nov. 13, 2006, “Fortune,” New York, Section: The Future of Design, Vol. 154, Iss. 10; pg. 145, Document ID: 1154553091, Document URL

This periodical uncovers how much energy buildings consume and what is being done to conserve energy in the future through new building construction policies and sustainable architecture.

 

Website Resources

 

 

·      The California Integrated Waste Management Board website contains a compilation of guidelines including performance instructions for designers and architects to use in construction projects.  It also provides a list of links to other resources, including a whole building approach, and environmental and public health issues.   This resource is geared toward a broader format of the subject, and could be used for information regarding typical steps for sustainable building.

 

·      The Global Green USA Organization website provides the most current news based on sustainable building.  This is the most current news related to California and its new building policies, and how it pertains to the future of sustainable building projects in California.

 

·      The Smart Communities Network Organization website provides a list of successful sustainable building projects, some of which are in California.  This resource will give the researcher valuable sources of information regarding the impact an environmentally efficient building has on the community.

Blog Reflection 5- Internet or Interaction?

Hello Everyone!!!

It has been a wonderful summer for me, and I am sad that it has to end, but I did learn a great deal from taking this course.

This is not the first online course I have taken.  I have taken COUNS1 and F_N 20 online courses prior to LIB 3, so I have some internet course experience.  I have found that the interaction with other students online is sometimes more effective than interaction face-to-face!  In some classes, especially general, instructors do not require students to interact with each other and get into groups.  I feel I have learned a lot more about people online than in traditional classes.  However, that is not always the case!  

The big difference between online courses and traditional classes is interaction with the instructor.  With the instructor being right there for you to ask questions, it is easier to understand what to do for a particular assignment or project.  

Some people find online courses easier and some find them more difficult.  I think it really depends on how much self-discipline you have as far as time management goes, and taking the initiative to put time and effort into reading your textbook during your own time to understand the material involved with the course.  I think a person has to be pretty literate, but it isn't required!  Some people learn better through hands-on observation rather than reading instructions and doing it on their own.

I have found online courses to be significant for me because I have a young child at home, so they save me time and money!  I have chosen only general education courses to take online because I am more of a hands-on type learner, so the classes I need to take for my major have been more important to take on campus.  General education courses have been a challenge to take online, but they do save me a lot of time!

I think that this course is an appropriate one to take online.  Although I did not have a face-to-face interaction with other students and the instructor, I was able to follow through successfully and learn a great deal of information that I was unaware of before!  I would have taken a face-to-face workshop for this course if one was offered to me, but only if it didn't interfere with my other classes and take away too much time with my son.  I am glad that I took the course the way I did!

Blog Reflection 4 - INFORMATION COMPETENCY

WHAT IS INFORMATION COMPETENCY?

It is recognizing the need for information, knowing where to obtain information, choosing the proper sources, knowing how to organize, analyze, and synthesize information, understanding categorization of information, and knowing how to use and communicate information.

IS INFORMATION COMPETENCY IMPORTANT?

Yes!  It is a critical skill for student success.  Research indicates that students who are information competent will have a greater success in completing their degrees.  It helps to ensure that we will be able to function successfully in our information age!

AM I AN INFORMATION COMPETENT STUDENT?

I think so!  Especially after taking this course, I have learned where to obtain information that comes from the proper sources and how to pinpoint accurate information.  I have gained knowledge on which sources to use and which ones are not always reliable, such as Wikipedia, a source I have used in the past!  I have learned about the categorization of information and how to better understand it, and how to use the information in my research.

This has been an exciting class for me, and I am glad that I took it during the summer because it has been the most fun online course I have taken so far!  I planned on having a fun and refreshing summer, and that is what has been happening for me, so I am ecstatic!  Thank you, Dena, for making this class enjoyable and for teaching me so many things in the process!

Blog Reflection 3- More Than Halfway Through!

All I can say is WOW! I have learned so much in this course that I would have never been able to accumulate on my own. The class has been just a bit overwhelming, but I enjoy reading and learning, and of course, surfing the internet. I have developed a greater respect for libraries and the internet and their resources. I am amazed at all the different ways I have learned to research. I do believe that the resources I have learned about are going to make researching much easier in the future. I am aware of some papers I will have to write in future general classes, and I am thankful that I chose to take this course during the summer, which will make things easier for me in the fall and spring. However, researching is never really simple. You have to work at it and know how to put things into your own words so that the instructor knows you understand the material and can apply it in your own way. I have always been a good writer, and I look forward to writing future papers. Someday I would like to write articles for an online newsletter, perhaps one I create on my own!

Blog Reflection 2- My Experience So Far

Hello Everyone!
I must say, we have all come a long way since the beginning of the course. So far, I have learned about Information Sources, Researching tips (both for the library and on the internet), Classification Systems, and Evaluating Information in the library, on the internet, or anywhere you go! I have visited many helpful websites, some very surprising. Then there was the visit to the library, which was an incredible experience, and made me think twice about libraries. I have never thought there was no need for a library with the internet available because the information on the internet is not always reliable. For example, Dena mentioned not to use Wikipedia for Assignment #4 because of its non reputable sources. But I have evolved a greater respect for libraries because of this course, and I think that it's wonderful because I am proud to walk down the street with my son and nephew to the Los Altos Branch Library (a very small library with mostly children's books) and help them select books they can check out and enjoy. I think everyone is doing an excellent job. I love the discussion forums and how everyone in the class interacts. I think it's wonderful that we can all teach each other a thing or two! :)
I look forward to learning more during the latter of this course.

Blog Reflection 1- What I have learned so far

So far this class has been fun for me! I have learned that libraries can actually be a fun way to do research, more fun than the internet. People tend to forget that there are still books, and not just that, the library can be a simple getaway.

I have learned that there are many ways to get information both at the library and through the internet. I am excited to learn more about search engines and how to find more resources. I do think that I need to get started on the Research Guide, but I am still having trouble deciding which topic to go with: Green Design, or Early Childhood Development?

When I figure that one out, I'll let you know! :)

A Luxurious Day at the Library

It was a Friday afternoon on the 20th of June when two of my friends, my son Kaleb and I entered the Cerritos Public Library. As I held my son's hand and walked through the doors, we all breathed a sigh of relief at that first brush of cool air. It was a hot day, but the visit to this library really altered our moods. It had been years since I stepped foot in this library. It was before the remodeling my last visit took place, so it was a surprise to walk in and experience the brightness. The Cerritos Public Library had been a dark and gloomy atmosphere before!

The first thing you notice when you walk through the entrance is the 15,000 gallon salt water fish tank that can also be viewed in the children's section of the library. My son is a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine, so we searched for a multitude of Thomas books. We then went up the escalator to the second floor, where we checked out our own private room. This was a major convenience, since my son is not the quietest child!

When I examined the library collection, I discovered that they had more than books available for check-out. These include DVDs, CDs and CD ROMS, atlases, and even e-books (which are expensive because you have to pay about $10 to check them out). Three services available at the library includes computer usage (internet), printing (which costs 15 cents per page and 50 cents to buy the print card), and private room check-out. The library also has significant lounge areas with a relaxing view, perfect for reading and studying. I caught a couple of people taking a nap there. The Cerritos Public Library uses the Library of Congress Classification system, arranged alphabetically by subject. The reference section consists of telephone books, encyclopedias, biography indexes, and several other lines of directories. There are numerous resources available right at the information center of the library, where all of the indexes are kept. The library provides several online resources, including Business & Company Resource Center, brought together by Infotrac, and Learning Express Library, a test preparation service.

What I liked best about the library is that it was built to be completely accessible by people with disabilities. There are products and services available to aid those with disabilities, and I felt that this was an enormous plus. All of the staff members are trained to understand the needs of the disabled patrons using the library. I also loved that the library offers six study rooms to card holders. The rooms can be checked-out or reservations can be made, and the rooms are available to use for two hours. Speaking of card holders, this is the only part that I did not like about the library. Non-residents interested in being a card holder must pay a one time fee of $100! Though it is understandable that non-residents almost always have to pay for the card when they decide to check out books from a library outside of their city, I felt that this was a rate that was unacceptable! Therefore I feel lucky to have a friend who lives in the city of Cerritos and is also a valued card holder. :)