Greenbuild 2005: Is Georgia on your mind? USGBC’s Conference & Expo Article provided by the U.S. Green Building Council

Over five percent of the current commercial construction taking place in America today is green, illustrating that the once-fringe idea is growing mainstream and becoming the foremost trend in building and design. The main group behind the push for environ-mentally friendly building is the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization of over 5,600 member companies and associations that has set the benchmark for how buildings qualify as green.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a consensus-based standard designed by USGBC member committees that awards points to structures for each green building technique utilized, such as the use of recycled building materials, the incorporation of light sensitive window blinds and the encouragement of carpooling. Once the USGBC determines the total points earned, a building may receive one of four certification levels (Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum). Four LEED programs currently exist—New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Existing Buildings and Core & Shell. The USGBC is currently conducting pilot studies of its LEED-Homes initiative. The popularity of LEED has grown at an exponential rate since its conception in 2000. Presently, there are 188 buildings in the United States that are LEED certified, and almost 1,800 more are registered for certification upon their completion.

With the growing interest in green building, the USGBC entertains “green” experts and novices alike at the world’s premier conference on green building—the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Greenbuild 2005 will be held November 9-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Greenbuild allows building professionals to convene at a single meeting place annually, providing an open forum for discussion and debate of issues facing the building industry. Greenbuild provides the opportunity for individuals to become exposed to new processes and products that support sustainable design, construction, operation and maintenance. Since its inaugural year, 2002, Greenbuild attendance has skyrocketed, growing from an initial 4,200 attendees from the architecture, building and design industries to over 8,000 attendees at Greenbuild 2004 in Portland, Oregon. Each year the conference features two keynote speeches as well as a master speaker series by pioneers in green building. The 2004 conference included a session by author and organic winemaker Paul Dolan on meeting corporate environmental and social obligations while increasing profitability. In addition, famed environmentalist and architect Glenn Murcutt also addressed the Greenbuild audience. The upcoming conference promises speakers from equally diverse backgrounds who will explore the most pertinent matters in the world of green building.

Greenbuild educates attendees through educational sessions such as:

Workshops including:

Atlanta serves as Greenbuild 2005 Host City

Atlanta may not be the first city that comes to mind when most people think of green building. However, with 25 certified and registered LEED projects, the city leads the South in the amount of existing and planned green construction. Atlanta is home to 81 USGBC member companies and organizations, ensuring that the number of green buildings in Atlanta will continue to increase in the coming years. Additionally, the Atlanta Regional USGBC Chapter is an active community in itself—with ongoing roundtable discussions and regular socials. And Southface, one of six USGBC affiliates, is based in Atlanta and plays an active role in coordinating conference outreach and education. Southface’s annual Greenprints Conference will co-host Greenbuild 2005.

At Greenbuild 2005, attendees will have the chance to tour many of the LEED certified buildings in Atlanta. Greenbuild offers 12 workshop-tours, six full-day tours and two half-day tours for conference participants and others wanting to see LEED buildings and green homes first-hand.

Greenbuild 2005 is Atlanta’s opportunity to show the world that it is a leader in the green building movement. For more information on Greenbuild 2005, please visit www.greenbuildexpo.org.