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.