3.4 Special Design
requires agencies to buy recycled-content products desig-
nated by EPA. Through the Comprehensive Procurement
Considerations
Guidelines (CPG), EPA designates items that must contain
recycled materials when purchased by Federal agencies,
or government contractors, using appropriated Federal
Incorporation of Recycled-Content Materials
funds. Refer to Chapter 1, Recycled-Content Products.
The GSA is committed to maximizing the use of recycled-
Information on specifying and purchasing recycled-
content materials specified in the construction of Federal
content products can be found on the Internet at
building projects. Many commonly used products are now
available with recycled content, including steel, aluminum,
The CPG items listed in Table 3-4 are frequently found
concrete, masonry, acoustic tile, paint, carpet, ceramic tile,
in buildings. Product specifications and standards that
and insulation.
might exclude the use of recovered materials should be
To support markets for the materials collected in recycling
revised to allow the use of these items.
programs, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Daylight and View
All buildings receive daylight. A daylit building, however,
is specifically designed to efficiently use daylight through
adapted components and control strategies. The goal
of daylighting design is to minimize energy use and
maximize human comfort. The benefits of daylighting
are far reaching and include the physiological and
psychological benefits of daylight, e.g. circadian rhythms;
but also the little thought of benefits of view of the
natural environment.
Although daylight and access to an outdoor view have
typically been considered as part of the standard for
windows and skylights, GSA had determine that these
should be given additional consideration as a special
design consideration upon both the structural design of
the building. All building orientations have daylighting
potential. It is a matter of using the appropriate
techniques and technologies to take advantage of daylight.
Contrary to what is commonly believed, North America
has year-round access to sufficient daylight for lighting
U.S. Courthouse, Seattle, Washington
73
ARCHITECTURAL
AND
INTERIOR
DESIGN
3.4
Special Design Considerations
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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