Connecticut Brick & Connecticut Stone Company
Bringing Masonry Projects to Life since 1830
(860) 627-6625
Green Building
“Sustainable developments are those which fulfill present and future needs (WECD, 1987) while [only] using and not harming renewable resources and unique human-environmental systems of a site: [air], water, land, energy, and human ecology and/or those of other [off-site] sustainable systems.” (Rosenbaum 1993 and Vieria 1993)
Or, as Robert Gillman, editor of In Context magazine, simplifies-“Do onto future generations as you would have them do onto you.” [1] The sustainable lifestyle is here to stay. The design and construction industry is embracing sustainability in all aspects of the construction process. Several states have mandated sustainable design criteria for state funded projects. Whether you are fully versed in sustainable design and materials or you are exploring these options for the first time, we feel that it is important to our community and would like you to consider sustainable design in your project. Please contact Mack Brick for more information on how masonry products can fit into your sustainable project.
Using USGBC’s LEED® rating system, here are a few of the many areas of sustainable design to consider when specifying masonry products:
- ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE-Optimize energy performance: masonry’s substantial thermal mass can contribute to lower energy usage.
- MATERIALS & RESOURCES- Recycled content: Points can be earned if the value of the recycled material is at least 10% for one point, and 20% for two. Some manufacturers (Rockcast, Cunningham Brick, Calstar Products, and others) now include recycled material in their product in sufficient quantities to contribute to MR Credits 4.1 and 4.2. Regional Materials: Points can be earned for use of materials that are extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.
- INNOVATION AND DESIGN PROCESS- This category is intended in part to award points for exceptional performance in one of the existing LEED categories, or recognize innovation in areas not explicitly covered by LEED. Examples of areas where masonry may qualify are Use of Durable Material, and Indoor Environmental Air Quality, where brick, cast stone and other low emitting products help to minimize the VOC content in buildings.
Many of our masonry products can help contribute to the overall credits needed to be certified as a sustainable project. Please contact Mack Brick for more information on how masonry products can fit into your sustainable project.
Green Building Links
LEED
Greenglobe
BIA Tech Note “Sustainability and Brick”
BIA Tech Note 48
State of CT High Performance Building Handbook
Cast Stone Institute –“Cast Stone and the LEED® Rating System”
Rockcast and LEED
[1] http://www.arch.wsu.edu/09%20publications/sustain/defnsust.htm