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The paperwork involved in 'Going Green'

Seems like some kind of oxymoron, doesn't it?

But in order to create a new building lots of papers get signed, sent, edited, resent, negotiated, resent, signed, copied, and filed.
Some standard papers that you'll see in any construction project include: permits, site plans, blueprints, contracts, and something called Masterspec- which I just became intimately acquainted with a couple of weeks ago.

Masterspec is an 80-page booklet- just for the table of contents- titling all the different categories of stuff that are involved in building. So, it became a dandy little project when my boss asked me to take all of our researched materials and cross file them: First by contractor item then by Masterspec ID number. I didn't even know there was such an official book.

So for example, now you see folders that say: Concrete, Grout, Steel, etc. Then when you pull out grout there is a label on the front that says: 03 60 00: Grouting. Beyond being helpful in specifically filing things- I'm not completely certain what it's use is yet. but that's why I am here learning!

Living Building Challenge uses Masterspec numbers to help clarify their definitions for material allowed at each 'Distance Zone'. So something Like membrane roofing (Masterspec 07 50 00) can come from 3,100 miles from the project site whereas Natural Roof Coverings (Masterspec 07 33 00) can only come from 1,240 miles from the project site.

Without the Masterspec number clarification, Living Building's differentiation would be confusing and often misinterpreted.
(They say the membrane roofing belongs in the group of 'assemblies that actively contribute to building performance and adaptable reuse once installed'. Then they put Natural roof coverings in the 'light or low density materials' zone.)

My off topic note:
All the additional work Green Building requires on top of the standard comes because we don't trust that things we don't do right now will be effective. For example, The Willow School has a large constructed Wetland that filters all of the site's stormwater runoff and all grey water from the bathrooms. To get that approved by the state took multiple trips by the school's founder. They turned him away and said it wasn't doable- now they bring other groups here to see our success.

Why is it so hard for the average person to believe that it is possible for nature's elements to do exactly what they were designed to do? Wetlands are nature's kidneys- they are intended to filter water, and recharge groundwater. So everytime we take a pee here- we're improving our ecosystem; as opposed to common systems that flush into a combined sewer overflow that heads to a wastewater treatment plant (if there's not a rainstorm in which case it washes with all of our toxins and street pollution directly into our waterways) then it sits in a big cement pot and stirs and separates until we pump it full of bleaches and flourides and send it our into the freshwater systems.

Millions of years went by without an entire career field dedicated to breaking down, sorting, and sanitizing my poop. Cities have required human intervention- but what about keeping in mind the minimal energy and maximal output of nature herself?


ok anyway back to the paperwork.

So because we don't trust more 'natural technologies' every single element of this new school building must be carefully monitored, documented, certified and approved. Then, in order to earn recognition for all of the efforts- we must additionally document, certify and detail every aspect of the projects for the USGBC LEED certification committee and then Cascadia Living Building Challenge committee.

Each group requires registration fees, membership charges, review fees. Each contractor and design team member requires extra money for the additional documentation work. So there are 3 times more contracts, negotiations, bills and receipts... and for me- that means 3 times as many things to file, copy, read and understand. All hoping that you certify the project before the newest version of the certification process comes out.

Unfortunately, within this blog- I am not sure I know a solution to make it an equal or lesser amount of work for those who want to engage in a sustainable building project- But am absolutely open to ideas, thoughts, existing work being done on the topic.

In order for people to want to build green before doing 'business as usual' we have to make it just as easy

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