'Tis good to be green in Utah: sustainable building is on the rise.

• Author: Lee, Merrie Campbell
• Position: Business Trends

It's been a long time coming, but the trend to build "green" (that is, sustainably designed structures that are eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and healthier) in Utah is finally gaining momentum. As with the rest of the country, Utah's building industry caters to perceived market demands and bottom-line profits, and Utah has a long way to go before our noble values match our actions. While it seems everyone would love to see green buildings span the horizon, there are undeniable stumbling blocks that have impeded that dream. Sure, the idea of building green makes perfect sense, but actually doing it? Well ... that's another story.

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At this point, those who have chosen to build green have done so out of a substantial commitment. After all, building green often means bucking long-standing industry practices to adopt less well-tested conservation techniques. It could also mean spending more time in planning and more money upfront, taking considerable effort to use recycled or refurbished materials, getting educated on the many aspects of green building, and being willing to compromise throughout the process. Right now, there are more Utah homeowners, builders, and architectural, landscape, and design firms than ever who are finding it worth their while to make those sacrifices. So, why are they doing it ... and how?

Some of the reasons are obvious. As energy costs escalate and natural resources decline, it's becoming a matter of necessity. But it goes deeper than that. As people have become aware of the negative impact our current building practices have on the environment, our health and our future, they are becoming more determined to see things change. The burgeoning number of government and private programs aimed at reducing the misuse of natural resources and preserving the environment over the past decade are evidence of this changing attitude. Combined with growing demand from consumers, these programs are fueling the green trend in Utah. Whether it's in the form of incentives such as special home loans, grants, or educational services and connections to resources, these programs are helping to make sustainable design not only doable, but affordable and economically advantageous for builder and buyer alike. We spoke with a handful of the many local industry professionals whose contributions reflect their commitment to build green.

Designing it green

Angela Dean is chief architect of Salt Lake City-based AMD...