Green Design Trend: Friend or Foe

[Angie Scott]

So I've been thinking about this question, but wonder how the rest of you feel. Is this huge trend of green design a double edged sword to designers who are not in it just because it is the hot new thing? My personal opinion is that I am glad it is getting out to the masses, because afterall the purpose for me is to create and educate people about the need for healthy homes, but I also feel like there is a need to explain that I am not doing this just because it is "in". Thoughts anyone?

[Dawn Oree]

I've always believed that one of the roles of Designers is to educate the clients that we service about why we do what we do. The benefits of sustainability far out-weight the "trend" factor. It's not like Feng-Shui or Vasteu. It's what we need to do to survive and leave the world in tact for the next generation. Once the world is educated on the reasons for sustainable design, then the feeling of "the green trend" will detach itself - at least that's what I believe.

Personally, I have more problems with the 30 minute design shows that do it "all for $1000" creating unwanted re-education issues in clients' minds than I do with "green design".

Here's a thought, try calling it Sustainable Design instead. It might help to take the focus off of the "green trend" and put it where it belongs.

[Michelle Lindsey]

I couldn't agree more. When my fiance and I started our company we wanted to provide design options and homes which would benefit the people in side as well as the planet. There are many designers and construction firms now "going green" when there isn't a true meaning of what that is. Or they pick out 1 aspect, like energy efficiency and call themselves green. I think sustainable design is a much better term.

Michelle-
essentialdevelopments.com