The earliest "green" buildings on record date back to the nineteenth century. London’s Crystal Palace (at right) and Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele used passive green design systems, such as roof ventilators and underground air-cooling chambers.

In the early twentieth century, New York skyscraper buildings such as the Flatiron, the New York Times, and Rockefeller Center used deep-set windows for shade, operable windows and sky gardens. Other New York and Chicago buildings used retractable awnings to block the sun.

Major construction advances happened in the 1930s with the advent of air conditioning, low-wattage fluorescent lighting, structural steel and reflective glass. These made possible enclosed glass-and-steel structures that could be heated and cooled efficiently.  The economic boon following WWII accelerated the pace of new technology development. 

In the 1970s, a convergence of architects, environmentalists and ecologists inspired new awareness and interest.  These efforts won more attention as a result of the first Earth Day Celebration in April 1970. The 1970s benefited by the Federal Government initiate a variety of environmental standards to protect our natural resources and the efforts have continued. 

In the 1980s and 90s others took leadership with addressing building efficiencies from a whole systems approach.  These efforts have resulted in a number of recommended building standards that promote sustainability. 

Back to What is Green Building?