Technology’s Impact on Green Buildings
Okay, I’ve been negligent about blogging lately. But 2008 has started with a bang and I’m scrambling to keep up with everything….
A few weeks ago, our conference planning team was having a telephone call to discuss our new Clicks & Bricks conference — which was originally scheduled for May 2008, but has now been moved to June 2009 (more info on this to come!). The idea for this two-day event is to explore the issues of technology and building design and help healthcare executives anticipate and plan for the future.
One of the interactive discussion tracks is green design and technology. At first, I was having trouble making the connection between the two, but when we started talking about how almost every aspect of green design and operations involves technology, it suddenly “clicked” for me. Here are some examples:
–The automatic faucets and toilet flushers (which never seem to work for me) that save water came about because of technology.
–Energy-efficient HVAC systems and trash to energy systems wouldn’t be possible without technology.
–Eco-sensitive products and materials engineered and fabricated using new technology.
What’s even more exciting are the new innovations ahead for green products that are being driven by nanotechnology. Green Guru Penny Bonda recently wrote a fascinating article on this subject for Interior Design LiveWire that explains it much better than I can.