HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

10.3 Sustainable Design

The term embodied energy describes the amount of energy needed to produce a specific building material. The embodied energy of all materials in a building, plus the energy needed to heat, cool, operate, and light it equals its total energy budget over its lifespan. The designer should choose materials with low embodied energy to lower the total energy budget, and may wish to refer to the AIA Environmental Resource Guide, with supplements, for guidance.

The designer's material selection should show a clear intention of using products with low impact on the environment and children's health. The designer also should incorporate features and systems that will lower the use of energy in building operation. The designer should also suggest materials that will minimize the impact on the nation's waste stream, e.g., by using materials that have high salvage value or can be reused when the center is renovated in the future.