An Introduction to Green Building

The document outlines a framework for 'green building' that prioritizes materials with low embodied energy, minimal toxicity, and high recyclability. It argues that the Industrial Revolution's reliance on fossil fuels and non-local materials has stressed global life support systems and degraded indoor air quality. The author recommends specifying low-VOC products, utilizing local masonry or adobe, and considering the high carbon footprint of cement, which accounts for over eight percent of human CO2 emissions worldwide. The guide also compares the energy efficiency and environmental trade-offs between steel and wood framing, while advocating for engineered wood products and reclaimed timbers to protect old-growth forests.

• The production of cement is a significant driver of global climate change, with worldwide production accounting for more than 8% of human CO2 emissions. In the United States, cement manufacturing accounts for approximately 0.6% of total energy use, and every ton of cement produced releases 1.25 tons of CO2.
• Building materials vary significantly in their embodied energy (the energy required for production). Virgin aluminum has the highest embodied energy at 191.0 MJ/kg, while baled straw has the lowest at 0.2 MJ/kg. Recycling is particularly effective for aluminum, saving 95% of the energy required for virgin production.
• Steel framing presents a major energy-efficiency challenge compared to wood due to 'thermal bridging,' where steel studs act as conductors. Steel is 400 times more conductive than wood, which can reduce the overall R-value of a wall with cavity insulation by half.
• To improve indoor environmental quality and reduce toxicity, the author recommends using low-VOC paints, adhesives, and millwork, and avoiding wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which is toxic during production, transport, and disposal.
• Engineered wood products, such as glu-lam beams and prefabricated trusses, are more sustainable than solid-sawn lumber because they utilize up to 80% of each log, compared to only 50% for solid-sawn lumber, thereby reducing pressure on old-growth forests.

APA

Karolides, A. (2003). An Introduction to Green Building. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_D03-16_EnviroSenstv.pdf

Chicago

Karolides, Alexis. An Introduction to Green Building. RMI, 2003. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_D03-16_EnviroSenstv.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Karolides |first1=Alexis |title=An Introduction to Green Building |publisher=RMI |date=March 2003 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_D03-16_EnviroSenstv.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{karolides2003introduction, author = {Karolides, Alexis}, title = {{An Introduction to Green Building}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2003}, month = mar, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_D03-16_EnviroSenstv.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }