What Makes a Building Green? The Hanover Principles
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.14.06
These are older than some of our readers- Bill McDonough wrote them in 1992. Some sound like Bill was drinking a bit too much H2Om but given when they were written it is revolutionary- asking architects to "Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co-exist."- they didn't teach us that in school.
1. Insist on rights of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition.
2. Recognize interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend upon the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects.
3. Respect relationships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness.
4. Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co-exist.
5. Create safe objects of long-term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance of vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creation of products, processes or standards.
6. Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems, in which there is no waste.
7. Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate the energy efficiently and safely for responsible use.
8. Understand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled.
9. Seek constant improvement by the sharing of knowledge. Encourage direct and open communication between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers and users to link long-term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility, and re-establish the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.
::William McDonough Hanover Principles (Big PDF) via ::How to Save the World.
The hard part is not just knowing these principles. It is keeping your focus, unwavering, on them as a goal. It is easy to be distracted by:
making money
not doing thing that are hard
pretty things that are not good for the planet
being tired of being hard to deal with for vendors
expediancy
frivolity
greed
At least that is my main challenge. Not everyone can do it, one needs to have the natural style that thrives on challenge, research, opposition, and uniqueness. Not everyone is meant to be a change agent.
That is why I like the stars of the green building movement, incl. Mr. McDonough*. Cool will sell more stuff than smart ideas. We must use everything we have to make green building popular. Star power helps make this stuff cool.
* Plus he is wicked smart and cogent.