CHAPTER 2
 LITERATURE REVIEW

 Our literature review explored the growing momentum of sustainable design and

green building in today's construction industry. Sustainable design is defined as "Design

that seeks to create spaces where materials, energy and water are used efficiently and

where the impact on the natural environment is minimized" (Means 2004). While

sustainable design extends far beyond physical structures, the built environment is

perhaps the largest component of sustainability. At its current state, sustainable design is

a young phenomenon of which the defining parameters are constantly changing.

Designers are learning with each sustainable undertaking, and through the occasional

mishap that "one who accepts an opportunity to design a project without clearly

understanding the concepts and costs involved places the owner-not to mention the

A/E's reputation and economic stability- at risk" (Wyatt, 2004, p.33) Adding to the

problem is the vast amount of information available on the topic of sustainability; some

of which is useful, most of which is not (Wyatt, 2004). Despite what is believed by many

professionals, sustainable design is not achieved by simply amassing green products

under one roof, but is achieved through a much more systematic approach that deals with

not only bricks and mortar, but the entire environment, life cycle, and performance of the

project.

 Once the designer has a grasp of the intent of the sustainable design at hand, he or

she must look closely at several factors. These factors are common to any type of

construction design, but have additional implications for green buildings. For example, in