Book Description
The “green building revolution’’ is happening right now. This book is its chronicle and its manifesto. Written by industry insider Jerry Yudelson, The Green Building Revolution introduces readers to the basics of green building and to the projects and people that are advancing this movement. With interviews and case studies, it does more than simply report on the revolution; it shows readers why and how to start thinking about designing, building, and operating high performance, environmentally aware (LEED-certified) buildings on conventional budgets.
Evolving quietly for more than a decade, the green building movement has found its voice. Its principles of human-centered, environmentally sensitive development have reached a critical mass of architects, engineers, builders, developers, professionals in government, and consumers. Green buildings are showing us how we can have healthier indoor environments that use far less energy and water than conventional buildings do. The federal government, eighteen states, and nearly fifty U.S. cities already require new public buildings to meet “green” standards. According to Yudelson, this is just the beginning.
The Green Building Revolution describes the many “revolutions” that are taking place today: in commercial buildings, schools, universities, public buildings, health care institutions, housing, property management, and neighborhood design. In a clear, highly readable style, Yudelson outlines the broader “journey to sustainability” influenced by the green building revolution and provides a solid business case for accelerating this trend.
Illustrated with more than 50 photos, tables, and charts, and filled with timely information, The Green Building Revolution is the definitive description of a major movement that’s poised to transform our world.
Review Quotes
"This is a must-read for both the seasoned practitioner and those new to the field of green building. Jerry Yudelson has been an important voice from the beginning of this movement, and here he draws on his vast experience to present green buildings in a compelling, accessible way. Decisionmakers at all levels will learn what they need to know to create buildings and communities that are fundamentally better places to live, work, and leave for our children."
Robert F. Fox, Jr. , partner, Cook+Fox Architects
"Jerry Yudelson's great gift is his ability to take gobs of complex information about green building, process it, and make it readable and useful for a wide and diverse universe of stakeholders. "He is green building's biggest cheerleader."
Robert Cassidy, editor-in-chief, "Building Design+Construction"
"The Green Building Revolution is a valuable primer that covers the basics of green building from single-family homes to entire neighborhoods in a clear and concise way. The economic and environmental rationale is presented with facts and figures to back it up. This book contains all the information you need to convince clients and colleagues to 'go green.' You will find yourself underlining text and taking margin notes for future reference."
Michael Deane, operations manager, Sustainable Construction, Turner Construction Company
"Seems hard to do, but Yudelson finds a way to deliver the straight facts without leaving you lost. Particularly, I was engrossed by three chapters: the business case for green buildings, the costs of green buildings, and the future of green buildings. He delivers a compelling case for green buildings and our future, and it's not just about the money."
Jetson Green
"Jerry Yudelson, one of the preeminent practitioners in the green development movement, has written ... The Green Building Revolution. Its major achievement—setting it apart from most other, similarly themed tomes—is that it is a manual for doers. The book provides a brief overview of the history of green buildings, as well as defines what constitutes a green structure... Reflecting reality, Yudelson also devotes a fair share of text to both the business case for green buildings and a number of cost studies that effectively delineate the price of building green. He then provides an outlook for green building, both domestic and abroad."
Urban Land
"Both a solid primer for construction and design professionals looking to tap the trend, and a book for anyone interested in the topic...concise and easy to digest."
Business Review
"Yudelson's discussion of green building costs and business motivations are (sic) well organized and convincing."
Alternatives Journal
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1. Green Buildings Today
Chapter 2. What is a Green Building?
Chapter 3. The Business Case for Green Buildings
Chapter 4. The Costs of Green Buildings
Chapter 5. The Future of Green Buildings
Chapter 6. The International Green Building Revolution
Chapter 7. The Revolution in Commercial Development
Chapter 8. The Revolution in Government and Nonprofit Buildings
Chapter 9. The Revolution in Education
Chapter 10. The Revolution in Housing
Chapter 11. The Revolution in Neighborhood Design and Mixed-Use Development
Chapter 12. The Revolution in Health Care
Chapter 13. The Revolution in Workplace Design
Chapter 14. The Revolution in Property Management
Chapter 15. The Revolution in Building Design and Construction Practice
Chapter 16. Join the Revolution!
Appendix 1. Resources for Revolutionaries
Appendix 2. Green Building Rating Systems
Endnotes
Index
About the Author
