National Building Museum Goes Green
by Russell Boniface
Associate Editor

Summary: The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., is holding lectures and exhibits from September through November on green living. Many exhibits are for architects by architects, such as The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design, an ongoing exhibition on green homes highlighting works of such architects as William McDonough, FAIA. Additional “Green Fall” programs include sustainable principles and strategies for building projects, “how to” sessions and lectures on green lifestyle, and the National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Museum’s Great Hall.

With much for architects to see, the National Building Museum’s calendar of events this fall includes topics on experimentations in sustainable architecture that include:

• Off-the-grid strategies
• How to draw on natural resources without depleting them
• Improving building energy consumption for small commercial buildings
• Urban planning
• The cost of going green.

Architects and experts such as Paolo Soleri, Lori Ryker, Ralph Knowles, Dennis Creech, and Dean Hill will lecture on incorporating sustainable principles into home and building projects. On November 15, up to five sustainable communities will be honored at the National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And additional programs, such as “Was Kermit Wrong: Is It Easy to Be Green?” will introduce families and children to green building, while “Be a Green Builder” will allow students to build a house from the ground up.

At the center is The Green House
The Green House exhibit, which runs through June 2007, highlights 21 sustainable homes from around the world and showcases the design of such architects as Rick Joy, Cook + Fox, and Will Bruder from the United States; Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten, from the Netherlands; and Kengo Kumo & Associates, from China. Visitors to The Green House will be greeted by a full-size recreation of California-based architect Michelle Kaufmann’s Glidehouse, a Modern home of glass curtain walls and sliding panels of rich louvered wood. Tours, lectures, and workshops will underscore The Green House exhibition’s five green principles:

• Wisely using the land
• Working with the sun
• Creating high-performance and energy-efficient houses
• Improving indoor air quality
• Wisely using the earth’s material resources.

Something green for everyone
Bryna Lipper, director of marketing and communications at the National Building Museum, has been heavily involved in its “Green Fall” programming. “The Green House has realized tremendous public interest, and the National Building Museum is excited to extend the themes of the exhibition within its many lectures, programs, and events,” she enthuses. “This fall, we have something for everyone: professionals interested in methodology and technical information, students eager for inspiration and mentorship, and families seeking resources and advice. It will be a fantastic season to learn about ‘going green.’”

Saturday, November 18, offers an added bonus: a free, day-long green home renovation expo called Greenovation: An Expo for the Home, which will allow consumers to perform sustainable home improvement projects.Recognized experts will lead seminars on topics like dream green kitchens, creating a healthy home, sustainable landscaping, green renovation and remodeling, and saving money by going green. Sample green products will be on display and detailed take-home information on green home renovation will be available.

The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design exhibition is presented by The Home Depot Foundation with support from the AIA, the American Society of Interior Designers Foundation, Bosch home appliances, the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Green Building Council, and other private firms and nonprofit organizations.