Sustainable Design and Green Building Flashcards

What certification system is most widely used for green building rating in the US?

Answer: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

LEED, developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the United States and globally.

What is passive solar design?

Answer: Designing the building to collect, store, and distribute solar energy as heat without mechanical systems

Passive solar design uses the building's orientation, thermal mass, glazing, and shading to collect and distribute solar heat without mechanical systems.

What does the term 'embodied carbon' refer to in sustainable architecture?

Answer: Greenhouse gas emissions associated with material extraction, manufacturing, and construction

Embodied carbon refers to the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with building materials and construction processes, from extraction through end of life.

What is a green roof and its primary sustainability benefit?

Answer: A vegetated roof system that reduces stormwater runoff and urban heat island effect

A green roof is a living vegetated system installed over a waterproofing membrane that reduces stormwater runoff, mitigates urban heat islands, and provides insulation.

What is the urban heat island effect?

Answer: Higher temperatures in urban areas compared to surrounding rural areas due to impervious surfaces and reduced vegetation

The urban heat island effect occurs when cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to dark paved surfaces, lack of vegetation, and waste heat from buildings and vehicles.

In LEED certification, which credit category typically offers the most available points?

Answer: Energy and Atmosphere

The Energy and Atmosphere category offers the most available points in LEED, reflecting the priority placed on reducing building energy consumption.