CSBR: Research

Sustainable Design

	What is Sustainable Design? "Sustainable development involves...meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992)
	Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide (MSDG) The Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide is a design tool that can be used to set sustainable design priorities and goals; develop appropriate sustainable design strategies for a particular project; and to determine performance measures to guide the design and decision-making process. (www.msdg.umn.edu)
	Buildings, Benchmarks & Beyond (B3) Project: The State of Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines (MSBG) CSBR has developed the State of Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines (MSBG) for the State of Minnesota. All new buildings funded in whole or part by Minnesota bond monies after January 15, 2004 must comply with the guidelines. The guidelines are a part of the Buildings, Benchmarks & Beyond (B3) Project. Project management and delivery is led by LHB, Inc.; the guideline development process is led by the Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) at the University of Minnesota; and public building benchmarking is led by The Weidt Group. (www.msbg.umn.edu)
	Sustainable Materials Database The Minnesota Sustainable Building Materials Database is a public internet site that documents, evaluates, and disseminates useful information on sustainable materials, products, systems, and services for the commercial and residential building construction industry in Minnesota. (www.buildingmaterials.umn.edu)
	Green Knowledge Map University of Minnesota Green Map is a Knowledge Map of sustainable design on the Twin Cities Campus. Funded by the University's Design Institute, it began with the question, 'How 'green' is the U? It was made to celebrate sustainable design, architecture and landscape architecture initiatives at the University of Minnesota, identifying 21 examples from around the Twin Cities campuses, with the goal of encouraging future 'greening efforts' at the U, and serving as a model for sustainable design in the region. This mapping project recognizes the many enthusiastic, but isolated, efforts to ensure a sustainable future at the University.
	Greening CDes The College of Design has been making headway in the realm of sustainability. The CDes Compact FY 2001-2002 establishes "The Green College" as one of the six priority areas it will pursue in the coming years. The goals of the project are to further the implementation of the intention to make CDes a model of sustainable practices at the University of Minnesota through addressing three critical areas: Curriculum & Research, Operations & Practice, and Living Labs.
	Green Design Assistance CSBR provides local communities with design support to program the needs and possibilities of projects and help to envision sustainable design.