A new, interactive software tool, the Green Building Advisor (GBA), helps users identify strategies for reducing the environmental impacts of a building project, while ensuring healthy and productive indoor spaces.
The interactive CD-ROM is designed for architects, builders, and designers or anyone planning a new structure or renovation that is interested in ensuring that the design team considers green building opportunities and benefits. It features more than 700 green building strategies, 18 detailed case studies, listings of 1300 green building products and nearly 300 annotated bibliographic references.
GBA is an "expert system"--that is, the output from the software is derived using sophisticated calculations based on user input. Despite the inner complexity, the software is easy to use. Based on information the user enters about a building project, the program selects and recommends appropriate design strategies organized into five broad areas of environmental impact. Details on each strategy are available at the click of the mouse. These include:
- an explanation of the strategy,
- a discussion of the environmental benefits and possible drawbacks,
- information on relative cost and applicable building phases,
- useful references for additional information, and,
- specific case studies where a similar strategy has been used.
In addition, the CD contains detailed information in leading-edge green building projects throughout North America, including an extensive photo library.
Developed in partnership by the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, Environmental Building News, and the architecture firm Design Harmony, the CD costs $179 and is available for Windows and Macintosh. To order or get more information call CREST at 888/442-7378.
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