• Introduction
• The "Green Building" principles
• The "Green" Mountain Equipment Co-op
• The "Green" Mountain Equipment Co-op 2
• Other Stores
• References

The "Green Building" Principles:

The "Green Building" is an example of sustainable development that reduces the ecological footprint of new construction. Many design elements were considered to minimize the resources that the building uses and the energy that the building may waste. A green building leaves a much smaller ecological footprint. This is an integral component of sustainable development as "human beings remain integral components of the ecosystems that support them" (Rees, 1998).

Managing the design of "green buildings" as a form of sustainable development should:

• link the site within the urban ecosystem as a whole
• design buildings and landscapes in a manner that conserves energy and reduces wasteful ouputs
• make use of the site's unique microclimatic, geological, hydrological, and biological character (Spirn, 1984)
  

The design of green buildings must incorporate the character of the surrounding area and built form. The building should complement the design character of the surrounding built environment. This promotes historical character, site functionality and neighbourhood integrity.

Relationship with the natural environment:
"Green building" design incorporates features and processes within the local ecosystem. Features of the natural environment, such as solar radiation, may allow for alternative sources of energy to be exploited. This supports a sense of 'place' within the existing built urban form and promotes the idea that natural processes exist within the realm of human activity. A link is created between, human activity, the built form and environmental processes and character.

Relationship with alternative forms of mobility
"Green building" considerations for site location facilitates choices in mobility. The downtown location promotes pedestrian and cyclist mobility and the use of public transit. rather than requireing the use of the private automobile.

Reduction of material input
The reuse, recycling and reduction of building materials in the construction process is a key element in sustainable "green building" design. The construction of "green buildings" requires the least amount of input material feasible. Reducing the amount of input material into the construction process requires that building materials are reused from existing sites and recycled from preexisting buildings or areas.

2002 Green Building Challenge
The 2002 Green Building Challenge is a competition that calls for the submission of "Green Building" designs from various groups throughout the world. The competition evaluation is based upon the following 3 principles of "green" design:

• 1. Advancing state-of-the-art in building environmental performance methodologies.
• 2. Maintaining a a current perspective on the issues of sustainability to ascertain their relevance to "green building" in general, and to create a framework for the structuring and content of environmental assessment methods.
• 3. Showcasing the performance assessments of environmentally progressive buildings.