March 28th, 2008

REGREEN: Guidelines for Sustainable Home Improvement

Posted by Jessica Jensen

The ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Foundation and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) have just launched a new program called REGREEN.  They have partnered on the development of best practice guidelines for sustainable home improvement projects. 

This purpose of the program is to increase understanding of sustainable renovation project practices and benefits among homeowners, residents, design professionals, product suppliers and service providers.

REGREEN seems to us to be a good addition to the LEED program of the USGBC, in that the LEED program focuses on new construction and REGREEN focuses on improving existing homes.  (They also reference LEED standards in many areas.) We particularly like the latter’s focus because the most eco-smart thing one can do is to improve and existing home rather than build a new one from the ground up. Renovation generally takes less energy, fewer resources and generates less trash than a new-build project.

The REGREEN guidelines are quite intuitive– they go through each room of the house in separate sections (bedroom, kitchen, basement, etc.) and highlight what eco-smart considerations should be included (e.g., using FSC certified woods, EnergyStar appliances, non-toxic paints and sealers, etc.). The also cover “major additions” and “gut rehabs” for bigger home remodel projects.  They would be quite helpful to both the homeowner looking to go green in a remodel and to a professional in design/build field.

We suggest you read through the PDF of the guidelines in some detail if you are seriously interested in green design and home improvement. But if you want to check out some shorter pieces, we really like the case studies they offer on the REGREEN site. The case studies show examples of green design in practice.  Have a look at the case study on home energy retrofit, kitchens, and/or outdoor living.  The also offer an extremely useful Green Product Checklist to help you select sustainable, healthy products for your home.

If you are contemplating a home renovation project and want to go green with your plans, please consider contacting one of the great pre-screened green professionals listed here at Low Impact Living. They can help you make your green dream home a reality!

To find green interior designers near you, please click here.
To find green builders and contractors near you, please click here.
To find green architects near you,please click here.

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