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What is a green building?
A green building is an integrated “whole systems” approach for the design, construction, and operation of buildings that incorporate elements of water and energy efficiency, conservation of materials and resources, and indoor air quality. The City of Temecula's mission related to green buildings is to promote resource efficient and healthy buildings within the city.
Municipal Green Building Policy
The City adopted a "green building" policy which requires that all new municipally owned buildings be designed and constructed to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified level certification.
The City's new Civic Center is designed to achieve the USGBC LEED Gold certification. The new Civic Center parking structure includes photovoltaic solar panels that are anticipated to provide 90% of the energy needed to power the parking structure and ancillary offices.
California Green Builder Program
The City of Temecula endorses the California Green Builder (CGB) program. This program is a voluntary green building program which applies to single family residential homes. The program includes a Certified California Green Builder Rater to ensure that all new homes utilizing this program are constructed in compliance with the program’s standards. The program’s “green” measures include water conservation, energy conservation, advanced ventilation systems and construction waste diversion techniques. The implementation of this voluntary program hopes to lower operating costs for new homeowners while providing a benefit to the environment. Click here to learn more about the California Green Builder Program.
Did you know?
- Construction & demolition debris make up 25% of municipal waste
- The construction of non-green buildings make up 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions
- Non-green buildings use 70% of U.S. electricity and twice as much energy as all of our cars
- Non-green buildings emit twice the amount of carbon dioxide compared to green buildings (calculation includes total embodied and operating cost energy).
- Non-green construction consumes 2 million acres of forests and farmland each year.
Featured Green Buildings
The City of Temecula has a handful of "green buildings" that are currently under construction or slated for construction in the near future.
James Webb Office Building
The James Webb Office building is to be located in the Tower Plaza shopping center located on Ynez Road. The “green” elements incorporated into the design of the James Webb Building include:
- LEED certified building materials
- Solar electric panels on roof
- Compact florescent energy efficient light bulbs
- Energy Star appliances and office machines
- Sensor controlled lighting, ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems
- Recycled building material and low wood use
- Low flow toilets and high efficiency faucets
- Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) building materials used.
Mercedes Benz of Temecula
Mercedes Benz of Temecula will be a certified LEED building offering environmentally sensitive elements which include:
- Permeable pavement
- Water efficient fixtures
- Natural lighting via a large expanse of carefully positioned windows
Resources
Click here to access the City's Sustainable Resources page and to learn more about green buildings.
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