Building Green in California

The California Building Standards Commission recently voted to adopt changes to the state building code that will put CA at the forefront of green design.  While the measures adopted are by no means cutting-edge by themselves, it is an incredible precedent to incorporate this level of sustainability as a statewide regulation affecting all new construction.  This recent article from the Chronicle suggests that some supporters of sustainability are worried this represents a step backward for some municipalities that have stringent green regulations in place;  However, we think that is a non-issue as cities and counties will still have the right to use higher standards (as they always have).  The difference is that now green standards will be required in towns where no hardware store even offers low-VOC paints.  As of 2011, the California marketplace will have no choice but to offer materials that meet the new regulation, and builders will adopt new practices such as landfill waste diversion.  There will be a steep learning curve across the state.

For our firm, this represents little change.  Most of our projects have been subject to special green regulations for the past decade.  Local jurisdictions and public/private funding usually require these measures already – reduced water use, recycled-content carpets, and efficient energy use have been par for the course.  Alameda County Waste Management created the green standards which eventually became the statewide GreenPoint Rated program, and cities like Oakland have always asked recipients of city funding to follow this checklist.

We’re excited to witness California’s adoption of the greenest building standards in the US, and look forward to seeing sustainability become business-as-usual in the construction marketplace.