Page 273 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

HARD BARGAIN FARM, ACCOKEEK, MARYLAND 249

Although small, this project is a wonderful example of the trend in restorative and
regenerative design. It takes an understanding client, the right design program, an
experienced design team and a process that allows for insight and innovation to
make all of this happen. But, given that the size of the U.S. commercial and institu-
tional building market, even in a bad year, exceeds $200 billion, don’t we have
enough money (and time) to “do the right thing,” instead of just “doing things
right”? In the developed world, we have the design talent, builders who can build
just about any design, product manufacturers who innovate constantly, abundant
capital, financiers who can finance just about anything, all the right stuff. Why can’t
we build high-performance living buildings—in all of our market sectors—as our
legacy to future generations?
If you’ve read this far, you know that the answer is up to you and your colleagues.
This book has made the case for an integrated design process, and it has shown you
many examples of how it’s done. Now it’s your turn; good luck!