Session 3: Eco-Housing and Green Building/Businesses

Reading: Please read chapters 7 & 8 of "The Natural Step for Communities" before meeting with your study circle for Session 3.

Questions: Please consider the following questions while reading the relevant chapters of the book, and use them to guide discussion during your study circle.

  1. See what your local government's master or comprehensive plan recommends for future housing policy for your community or region. Does it call for increasing the supply of affordable housing? Does it encourage green building? Does it call for combined approaches?
  2. How might an existing single-family (or multi-family) dwelling be altered to make it more sustainable? (Hint: Use the four sustainability objectives as a renovation guide.)
  3. Are there examples of green businesses or green buildings in your area? What are their green features? Consider visiting these. Are they being showcased as good examples? How do they meet (or not meet) the four sustainability objectives?
  4. Does your local government's planning and development department have a green building program? Have they ever thought of this?
  5. Taking either an actual or hypothetical non-residential green building as an example, consider this building in light of the fourth sustainability objective. Whose human needs are associated with a building? What are some of these? Are human needs elsewhere on the planet involved, and if so, how? What are some of those needs?
  6. See what your local government's master plan calls for in terms of business and/or economic development. What types of tools are proposed to encourage desired economic development? Does the plan call for any type of green or sustainable business development? Does your local government have community development or economic development staff? Do they offer any green business programs or incentives for greening business? Are they familiar with the concept of green businesses or green buildings?

Portsmouth Public Library

The new Portsmouth Library which opened in Jan. 2007, is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) municipal building in the state of NH and the first newly constructed LEED building in New England. The library will feature an energy efficient heating design with a super envelop of insulation to save energy. It has double paned glass windows that will not allow heat or cold in. All offices have at least one window and there are many windowed public spaces. The furnishings were made with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood. The library features a glassed in porch and an open courtyard. Waste from the Armory, the previous building on the site, was sorted into separate categories and most of the material recycled. Slate from the Armory was used on the roof of the top tower. A favorite feature for the employees is a bathroom with a shower so they can bike to work.

Study Guide Chapters

Select from the sections below to view questions:

  • Overview: Guideines, Facilitators, Openings and Circle Questions
  • Session 1: Introducing the Natural Step Framework and Sustainability (Chapters 1, 2 & 3)
  • Session 2: Changing to Renewable Energy Resources and Alternative Transportation (Chapters 5 & 6)
  • Session 3: Eco-Housing and Green Building/Business (Chapters 7 & 8)
  • Session 4: Eco-Economic Development and Ecological Schools/Education (Chapters 9 & 10)
  • Session 5: Sustainable Agriculture and Dealing with Waste (Chapters 11 & 12)
  • Session 6: Protecting Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use and Planning (Chapters 13 & 14)
  • Session 7: What Gets in the Way of Change and Three Change Processes That Work (Chapters 15 & 16)
  • Session 8: Steps to Change and Process Leader (Chapters 17 & 18)

Further Resources and Readings

A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa and Murray Silverstein (1977)

The Natural Step for Business: Wealth, Ecology and the Evolutionary Corporation by Brian Nattrass and Mary Altomare (1999)

NH Sustainable Energy Association: Helps customers incorporate renewable energy and sustainable technologies into their lives. It sponsors solar home tours featuring houses or businesses in NH.
www.nhsea.org

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
www.nesea.org

Safe Climate for Business: Helps businesses understand and take action on climate change. You can calculate your organization's emissions and learn how to reduce your climate impact.
www.safeclimate.net

U.S. Green Building Council: The council works to transform the way buildings and communities are designed. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a nationwide consensus-based rating system used to develop or renovate sustainable homes, neighborhoods and commercial buildings
www.usgbc.org

NH Office of Energy & Planning
www.nh.gov/eop/