Search Glossary
A term now extensively used to describe buildings designed and constructed with a minimum negative impact to the environment, with an emphasis on conservation of resources, energy efficiency, and healthful interior spaces.
The concept that new development must meet the needs of the present without compromising those of the future. Sustainability is measured in three interdependent dimensions: environment, economics, and society—often referred to as the “triple bottom line.”
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- Building Envelopesearch for term
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Elements (walls, windows, roofs, skylights, etc.) and materials (insulation, vapor barriers, siding, etc.) that enclose a building much like a sealed envelope. The building envelope
is a thermal barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments and is a key factor in the “sustainability” of a building. A well-designed building envelope will minimize energy consumption for cooling and heating as well as promote the influx of natural light.
