By building green, you can lower risk and liability throughout your building's construction and occupancy. For example, by incorporating the viewpoints of the entire design and building team at the outset -- an essential green building strategy -- you can reduce your risk of delays and cost overruns.

You may find that intensive design workshops, known as charrettes, can provide a very effective forum for fostering early integration. These sessions bring together members of your design and building team to brainstorm optimal ways to achieve your project's goals and identify potential obstacles early on. Also, inviting local residents or building department officials to a charrette can help alert you to any public concerns or potential code issues associated with your project.

Green construction will also allow you to stay a step ahead of new environmental regulations and insurance requirements -- and avoid "sick building" lawsuits. Claims related to toxic mold, for example, have exploded in recent years, and developers and contractors are increasingly being held responsible for mold-related damages, as in the cases below.

• A toxic mold problem in three residence halls at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, required the installation of new ventilation, ductwork, carpeting and insulation in 2004 -- at a cost of $10 million. Attributing the outbreak to poor design and construction, the university sued the buildings' contractors to recover damages.



• The project team, including the general contractor and architect, of a San Martin, California, courthouse was ordered to pay $12 million to Santa Clara County in 2001 after an extensive mold problem in the building was tied to construction and design defects.