3. Answer the following questions:

1. What problems relating to the topic of sustainable architecture have been touched upon?

2. What does Kelly Hart think of “green building”?

3. What is Kelly Hart’s opinion on sustainability?

4. What is said about the history of this concept?

5. Can you name some advantages of using natural materials?

6. What should the first step be when you have made up your mind to build an environmentally-friendly house?

7. What is said about the cost of green building?

8. Can you compare it with building a conventional house?

9. What is Hart’s opinion on the traditional architecture?

10. What is his point of view upon modern architecture?

11. Is public aware of the pressing environmental issues?

12. Are people ready to build green from Hart’s point of view?

4. What ecologically friendly building materials are mentioned in the interview? Do you know all of them? Are they widely used in our country? Choose one material and find additional information about its properties. Then make a presentation in class.

Reading task D

1. Read what green building is and then discuss why it is one of the most topical environmental issues nowadays. Make use of the information given after the text.

The built environment has a vast impact on the natural environment, human health, and the economy. Green building is an approach to design and construction that respects the environment and conserves resources. It is a common sense approach that is available to all home owners. It is a set of informed decisions that considers the site and materials to reduce the cost, maintenance, and energy usage of the home. Green building techniques create a more cost effective, enjoyable and sustainable home to live in. Green construction methods can be integrated into buildings at any stage, from design and construction, to renovation and deconstruction.

By adopting green building strategies, we can maximize both economic and environmental performance.

Environmental benefits	Economic benefits	Social benefits
Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems	Reduce operating costs	Enhance occupant comfort and health
Improve air and water quality	Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services	Heighten aesthetic qualities
Reduce waste streams	Improve occupant productivity	Minimize strain on local infrastructure
Conserve and restore natural resources	Optimize life-cycle economic performance	Improve overall quality of life

Facts and figures:

In the USA buildings account for:

39 % of total energy use 12 % of the total water consumption 68 % of total electricity consumption 38 % of the carbon dioxide emissions

90% of their time people spend indoors.

2 to 5 times worse air quality inside than outside.