| Fabrics
Design Considerations:
Natural or Recycled- Provide fabrics systems that are recycled
or have been produced by natural dyes. Many of the dyes used to produce fabrics
contain toxic substances that will have off-gas effects. All attempts should be made
to utilize fabrics created with non-toxic dyes. Consider reusing textiles from
previous location.
Raw Materials Acquisition- Recyclability and recycling of materials is
essential and provisions should be made for the reuse of all products by the
manufacturer.
Raw Materials Processing and Manufacturing- Avoid using
fabrics and textiles that require high amount of embodied energy to build and create a
potential environmental desecration through the chemical production, and transportation of
them.. Criteria for materials should be set to conserve resources. Questions
such as: Is it needed? Is there a substitute with lower mass and/or lower embodied
energy?
Product Distribution- Use fabrics that have been manufactured
locally in an "sustaining" manner, to avoid environmental impacts of
transportation. It reduces the embodied energy use because materials do not need to
be transported over long distances; it helps support local economies; it ensures
climatically appropriate solutions for that region; and it expresses the culture of the
community.
No / Low Emissions- Look for products that do not pollute
the air inside the building, or at least produce less pollution than conventional
products. Toxicity of materials should be carefully reviewed to protect indoor air
quality and the employees from suffering from off-gassing effects. Consult all MSDS
sheets in order to determine presence of harmful chemicals in products, paying particular
attention to exposure limits and known medical hazards. Fabrics and fibers are
typically synthetic (eg. Polypropylene) and contain hazardous formaldehyde vapours.
Also hazardous insecticides, soft plastics, flame retardants, crease and stain repellants
Disposal & Renewability- Attempts should be made to use recyclable or biodegradable
materials.
Tools:
-Consult IAQSpec List for manufacturers and product test results
Air Quality Sciences, Inc. Atlanta, GA
-Consult MSDS sheets for all materials
Case Studies to Research:
Design Tex- William McDonough's completely toxic-free fabrics
Further Information:
-Primer on Sustainable Building
Rocky Mountain Institute
-The Green Pages: The Contract Interior Designer's Guide to Environmentally
Responsible Products and Materials.
Kim Nadel, C.I.D. & Andrew Fuston, Co-Authors
399 4th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215
-Interior Concerns Resource Guide
Victoria Schomer
131 W. Blithedale, Mill Valley, CA 94941
-Sourcebook for Sustainable Design
Boston Society of Architects
52 Broad St., Boston, MA. 02109
-The Natural Home, Bierman-Lytle, Paul and Marinelli, Janet
Web resources:
-Oikos: Green Building Source
-Global Environmental Options
-Indra's Net
-Environlink's Internet Green Marketplace
-Energy Efficient Environments, Inc.
-Real Goods Trading Company: Real Goods Catalog
“Green Market.” Sutton, Katherine Day. Interiors Vol. 157, No. 1. January
1998, p. 38. |
