Final answer:
Green building performance is measured by its environmental impact, energy efficiency, and sustainability, focusing on factors like pollution reduction, use of renewable energy, commuter convenience and comfort
Step-by-step explanation:
Key criteria that define green building performance include several aspects, all aimed at reducing the environmental impact and enhancing sustainability. These criteria often require buildings to minimize reliance on new transportation infrastructure, ensuring that facilities can be accessed without adding to traffic and pollution. This is often evaluated by considering the amount of pollution and greenhouse gases emitted per mile traveled by a commuter. Additionally, high performance green buildings prioritize the use of energy from renewable sources to decrease reliance on nonrenewable resources and reduce carbon emissions. Another important feature of green buildings is commuter convenience, which relates to how easily the building can be reached via various modes of transport, including public transportation and non-motorized options like biking and walking.
Comfort for the users of the building is equally important, as it directly impacts their well-being and productivity. Lastly, the economic aspect is considered through the cost analysis over a defined period, which includes the purchase price, maintenance, and operational expenses. The sustainable architecture movement, originating in the mid-1980s, drives architects to create designs that integrate with the environment, using energy-efficient systems and sustainable building materials. In contemporary green architecture, there's also a push to integrate green spaces and recycled materials into building designs, reflecting growers' concern for sustainability alongside the aesthetics.