Carpentry & Building Construction

Unit 7: Construction Specialties

WebQuests

The Future of Green Building

Introduction
Buildings have an immense impact on the natural environment. They account for significant energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, material use, and waste output. Additionally, the construction process can be very disruptive to the environment around a building site. More and more, building owners and residents want buildings that are sensitive to surrounding ecosystems, reduce waste, and use fewer natural resources. Green building practices help builders construct buildings that are better for the environment and healthier for the people who live and work in them.

The Task
In addition to environmental benefits, green building practices also have economic advantages. While a green building may cost more up front, they often save owners money over the long run. Green buildings are designed to be more energy efficient, requiring fewer utility costs. Employees who work in green buildings report fewer sick days and greater productivity. That is because green buildings are built to be healthier and designed to be efficient for their inhabitants.

For this WebQuest, you are co-owner of a growing construction company. You want to take the company in a new direction, specializing in green building. Your challenge is to convince the other company owners that specializing in green building is a smart move for your company and for the environment. Your proposal will consist of the following four parts

• an overview of the latest developments in green building;
• the environmental benefits of green building;
• the economic benefits to your company, should it choose to specialize in green building;
• how new construction materials and technologies are responding to the demand for green buildings.

The Process
To write your green building proposal, you will need to complete the following steps.

• In class, form groups of four to six students. Each student will be responsible for researching and writing one part of the presentation.
• Research your chosen topic online. You can start by visiting the following websites.
California Integrated Waste Management Board
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Green Building Council
World Green Building Council

• Take notes while you read.
• Write a brief report that summarizes your findings.
• Prepare two to four presentation slides to accompany your part of the report.

Guidance
Here are some suggestions to strengthen your proposal.

1. Find out if any companies in your area have build green buildings. Is there a demand for green buildings in your area?
2. Are there any drawbacks or risks to your plan? Try to anticipate concerns from your fellow co-owners, so you will be ready to respond.
3. What investments in time and money will your company need to make today, if they want to be a leader in green building construction in five years?

Conclusions

• As a group, assemble everyone's contributions into one cohesive document. Put the reports in the order that makes the most logical sense.
• In the same way, combine the team's presentation slides into one presentation for the company owners.
• Present your proposal to your classmates. Each team member should present his or her contribution to the proposal. Spend two minutes after the presentation taking questions from others students.
• Turn in your reading notes, written report, and presentation slides to your teacher.

Questions

• Green buildings have obvious advantages for the environment and for building inhabitants. What, if any, are the advantages for the construction companies and workers who build green buildings?
• Green buildings are hot right now. What signs do you see that this movement will have lasting impact?
• Summarize the challenges to building a green building.
• Would you be more likely to work for a company that specializes in green building construction?