Friday April 29, 2005 Houston hosted an event unlike any other the city has seen. The event was a one day symposium held at the George R. Brown Convention Center to take a close look at green building on the Texas Gulf Coast. Gulf Coast Green, organized by the American Institute if Architects Houston Chapter Committee, the U.S. Green Building Council and others, brought in an incredible line-up of local and national speakers that included engineers, contractors, and commercial and residential architects. The event also featured a Construction Technology Expo showcasing the latest green building products, services and technologies from vendors.
The program was broken down into three separate panel discussions on commercial building, residential building, and analytical and design tools. Each session was aimed at investigating and focusing on approaches and technologies geared towards those attending.
Green Building is a building practice that builds upon sustainable ecological and environmental principals creating a healthier indoor and outdoor environment. Green building is a culmination of sustainable practices that are incorporated into a building’s life cycle which include land- use, building design, and construction strategies that work to reduce adverse environmental consequences. While green building has faced many opponents in recent decades, technological improvements have led it to become widely accepted among major cities throughout the country due to their ability to be both affordable and aesthetically pleasing.
The green building movement has become more widely accepted now that costs differentials and bottom line results are much more evident. Now corporations are starting to see green building has not only environmental but also financial rewards. By saving resources, energy and water there is an economic incentive and a greener image.
Mayor White also made an appearance and addressed an audience of more than four hundred. He expressed his desires to move Houston forward by applying green construction technologies that will benefit the city both socially and economically. He stated “the challenge is to attract more businesses and consumers to green building.” The goal is to appeal to a broader base by being affordable and accessible. Mayor White explained that but “full life cycle cost of a building will be reduced because of decreased energy consumption,” however getting people’s attention to build green is still a challenge.
Houston has already adopted the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification standards for new city projects over 10,000 square feet or renovations. While Houston is making significant progress in commercial green building, we do not have enough residential green buildings.
LaVerne Williams, local green residential architect, stated the turnout to the conference “shows that there is a broad interest in green building that’s generating a lot of enthusiasm. It seems to be the direction Houston is moving in.” In further discussing Houston’s green direction, Williams says “the key is that we have to grow with integrity.”
