Second Nature.

Beyond Greenwash: Blasting the myths of sustainable design Being green. Sustainability. Environmental sensitivity.

Let's cut to the chase -- just as one attendee did at the recent IFMA World Workplace convention.

"This green stuff sounds good, but how can I justify these costs to my boss? I need solid proof this works," he said. His statement was frank, but, frankly, one that was universally shared -- when considering the many nods of agreement from the audience attending the seminar on sustainable design.

As one of the industry's hottest buzzwords, what does green design really mean? Is it energy efficiency? A good neighbor policy? Durability? Nature-influenced design? Daylighting? Recycling? The answer is simple: All of the above -- and more.

Ergonomics, energy efficiency, life-cycle costs -- many of the components of green design have been around for a long time. In recent years, these principles and others have been combined under the green design umbrella. Preliminary studies have demonstrated the business benefits generated by sustainable design. Despite the perceived value, however, many facilities managers lack the necessary information about green design to make effective choices.

"There is a myth that green costs more ... that this is soft stuff that is not very important. We are making a shift. This isn't a trend; it's a reality," says Joyce LaValle, senior vice president, marketing and communications, Interface, Atlanta. Currently, research and guidelines are being developed to assist facilities managers and design teams in making sound choices. In the coming years, facilities and design professionals can use the principles of sustainable design to produce healthy, enhanced commercial environments.

What is Green Design?

According to Design Ecology, a project sponsored by Chicago's International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Collins & Aikman Floorcoverings, Dalton, GA: "Sustainability is a state or process that can be maintained indefinitely. The principles of sustainability integrate three closely intertwined elements -- the environment, the economy, and the social system -- into a system that can be maintained in a healthy state indefinitely."

By considering the complete picture -- the natural environment, life-cycle costs, and end-users' needs -- facilities professionals can create high-performance buildings. In addition to traditional criteria, the industry is asking (and asking itself) a whole new set of questions when it comes to maintaining facilities and selecting interior elements. "Green design is a holistic approach to design, taking into account if a product can be recycled, if a product is made from recycled content, the ramifications to indoor air quality ramifications, and maintenance ramifications to the environment" says Steve Hillis, vice president, marketing and national accounts, Mohawk, Kennesaw, GA.