Green Building is the practice of increasing the efficiency and living environment of buildings, while reducing the overall impact to the environment and the use of our natural resources through energy conservation, wastewater and water supply management, and the selection of eco-friendly materials and construction methods. Building or renovating green reduces the impacts on the building user’s health while protecting the environment through sustainable design and building systems

A green building project starts with proper site selection weighing options for the use of mass transit, commute distance to employment, and utility options. Building orientation and shape is taken into account with regard to sun angles, prevailing winds, natural lighting, and the use of active and passive solar methods. Natural vegetation should be incorporated into the landscape design, as well as the selection of “Xeriscape” or low water use plants.

Building materials are specified that are not only eco-friendly but also are produced locally when possible, thus reducing transportation fuel costs. Construction materials and interior finish products with low or zero emissions should be specified to improve indoor air quality. Many conventional building materials and even cleaning products emit toxic gases, such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde. These gases can have a detrimental impact on the occupants' health and productivity

The selection of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems should provide adequate natural ventilation with a high-efficiency energy rating. Heating and cooling systems that ensure adequate ventilation and proper filtration can have a dramatic and positive impact on indoor air quality.

The amount of construction waste materials must also be considered, in an effort to reduce the effects on landfill waste and fuel costs to transport. Modular dimensions can be used in the building design to minimize material waste product.

All of this incorporated to create ecological harmony with the building’s natural surroundings, in an eco-safe living or working environment.

Green building projects must also be sustainable. Throughout the life of the building, the occupants should experience reduced operating costs with regard to energy and water usage, lower maintenance costs, and improved occupant health. Even at the end of the building’s life the demolished materials must again be recyclable.

The economic benefits of building green most often proves to require a higher initial investment to the owner. Consideration must be given not only to the pay back time – the result of the initial investment, but the immediate benefits of an improved living environment, less operating costs to the users, and one’s contribution to improve the environment. A building life cycle cost analysis will prove the benefits of building green, but only accurate when all other benefits are included weighed.