Debbie Hindman is the instructor for RMCAD's Green Design 1 course and a strong advocate for sustainability in design and as a way of life. She is a member of the dynamic sustainable design firm, Associates III in Denver and co-author of the book "Sustainable Interior Design."

Q: What do you believe is the single most critical issue we face as environmentally responsible designers?

A: One of the most critical issues we currently face, in my mind, is educating all new graduates from our schools and university about green design so they are ready to join and contribute to projects with a sustainable mindset from day one. Currently, most students are given the choice about whether or not to pursue the study of this important topic. We soon won’t have this luxury and as ADA and safety and welfare issues are mandatory, I believe green design skills absolutely must be too. Creating responsible designs is imperative to ensuring our world remains healthy and beautiful.

The next most critical issue is related – finding enough educated faculty members across the country able and willing to teach interior design students about this important subject as well!

Q: If you could add a new credit category to the LEED rating systems, what would it be and why?

A: I applaud USGBC for creating LEED. Despite some shortcomings, it has become a transformational tool in our lifetime, bringing all buildings closer to becoming sustaining. I’m not sure which needs to occur first but one without the other won’t work: our industry infrastructure needs to make greener products and materials available to wider markets and, in addition, there is a need to take the certification to a higher level. It is time to go beyond Platinum. Both these are intertwined issues. One can’t occur without the other, I realize, but both need to occur quickly. Time is of the essence if we’re to see sustainable design as the norm in our lifetime too.

Q: What have you done in your personal life to become more environmentally responsible?

A: I try to take new challenge myself to make more of a difference, to speak out and educate others about new information often. One great thing about email is the ability to copy everyone about them! There is new information every day! I also read recently about how un-cool being an eco-snob is. I hope I’m not one and I hope I don’t look down my nose at folks that aren’t moving at breakneck speed in this area. I know at a basic level we all have to become aware of the need to change our lives – we all have to experience the “spear to the chest” Ray Anderson experienced and described in his book "Mid-Course Correction" to understand the sense of urgency needed to benefit our planet rather than give instant gratification to ourselves. It comes to us all!

Q: How do you respond to people who argue that global warming is a myth?

A: I try to appeal to their most basic human instinct – and most folks do respond at some level to this one – that we all need to responsible for ourselves, our lives and what we do to be kind and caring to others. The big picture of global warming may be out of reach for some minds, but realizing that species are declining, landscapes are degrading, children are dying from hunger and lack of water – these kinds of social issues are sometimes enough of a common ground to begin a dialogue about the bigger picture. I have a friend who has been writing a book making the case AGAINST global warming existing. It has been an ongoing project for many years. Each year goes by and it is no closer to being done. When I ask how it is going, the response is that they are still researching and gathering information to make their case. Hmmm, me thinks they never will. But, hey, they are at least thinking about it and maybe that will eventually help them make the case that global warming IS here and real. I’m not holding my breath, but I do appreciate the fact that they are taking the subject seriously. More people need to take it seriously. Not enough of us do.

Q: If you could recommend one book for green design students to read, what would it be and why?

A: What a loaded question – while self promoting, I might consider recommending the book "Sustainable Residential Interiors," of which I am co-author with Kari Foster and Annette Stelmack. If I look further afield from my own ego, the book that was the tipping point for me personally was Daniel Quinn’s book "Ishmael." I was in a place in my life where I was searching for more in terms of meaning and understanding of my purpose in life. This and Daniel’s other books are inspiring and eye opening. I’d recommend them above ours!

Q: What is your favorite sustainability newsletter or website?

A: I do love Treehugger too http://www.treehugger.com but I look for the Interior Design Magazines e-newsletter that comes out about twice a month, plus their green focused one once a month now. It gives great insight into our specific industry – design and architecture. I learn lots from it. Penny Bonda’s GreenZone is great - http://www.interiordesign.net/GreenZone/CA451322.html

Q: What area of green design interests/intrigues you the most and why?

A: As I have been a part of Associates III for many years, and we primarily focus on residential projects – I am most attentive to the residential market and clients. A year or more ago, we made a commitment to work only for clients that support green principles at some level, and this has increased my appetite for all things green. I’m lucky enough to work in an environment that not only supports green design but requires it for all our projects. My main role in the company is to find like-minded teams to work with on projects, and as I seek new work for our design team, I find myself asking those I meet about their level of understanding of green design and its application. When I see the lack of information around me, it fuels my desire to promote green design education at every turn.

We’re working on Mountain Living Magazine’s Natural Green Dream Home this year. Part of the reason we took on this project was to use it as a vehicle to educate: that good design and green design are synonymous, and to be as transparent as we could about the design process. It’s not perfect but others will learn from what we do and hopefully it will inspire them and promote a greater understanding of how to apply green design and take it to the next level. It will hit the spotlight for a brief moment in time…and then the next better version will overtake it!

Q: Who are some of your favorite "environmental champions?"

A: This is another loaded question: the answers change almost daily. So, note this is my list as of today:

I have great admiration for many of the people we study in our Green Design I class: that’s probably why we look to them and learn about them, and each semester I re-discover them anew. My all-time favorite is Bucky Fuller. His ability to question the assumptions in life and look into the future makes him a true visionary.

I mostly look to friends and those I work closely with – pioneers in the field. They are the ones who daily inspire and urge me on to do my part – Kari Foster, owner and principal designer at Associates III, my boss and friend for 26 years, pioneer in the residential design field. David Johnston of What’s Working, eco-consultant extraordinaire, he is the recipient of the International Sustainability Pioneer Award, often described in European business circles as “the Nobel Prize for Sustainability.” Penny Bonda, FASID, who has probably put interior design seriously on the radar through her efforts in greening the commercial interiors world.

Q: Please add anything else you would like to share

A: I’d love to challenge you to add green into your work: each project you work on, look for 3 ways to add a new green dimension to your work. Choose a green material, ask a green consultant about their work so your project will benefit, read a book on a new area – whatever it is, incorporate 3 things into your current project. Then, on your next project, incorporate these PLUS another 3, and so on. Share the information with all you can and then do it again, and again, and again. Pay it forward.

Contact Debbie Hindman: dhindman@rmcad.edu

Here is the first in a series of interviews with RMCAD Green Design Faculty members: Kelly Webb.

Kelly Webb
Instructor:Department of Interior Design, Green Design Area of Emphasis
Managing Member, Context Designs, LLC

Kelly combines a strong background in business and environmental policy together with her education and experience in green design to teach the Green Design 2 course in the Area of Emphasis. She is the owner of Context Designs, LLC, where she brings this same background, education and experience to the design of commercial and residential projects using integrated, green design strategies.

Kelly has a Bachelors of Business, a Masters of Environmental Policy and Bachelors of Interior Design with an Emphasis in Green Design, as well as a Certificate in Green Building.

She is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Boulder Green Building Guild, and is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Design.


Q: What do you believe is the single most critical issue we face as environmentally responsible designers?

Because buildings use almost half of all of the energy used in the US (and other countries), and because some estimates say we only have seven years to cut our green house gas emissions in at least half, I believe designers are in a position to make a real impact upon global warming. However, it means we can no longer say that it is “ok” for our clients to get everything they want. That is going to be very hard, because they are paying the bills. I also think it is time for us to stop over designing or “decorating” our spaces. I think we should show our clients that simplicity is practical, aesthetically pleasing and in the end can make us our lives happier and calmer.

Q: If you could add a new credit category to the LEED rating systems, what would it be and why?

I would like for LEED to have an operating credit where the operator of the building is responsible for re-certifying the building each year or every five years. At this point the designers can work their computers (we rarely use fingers anymore) to the bone and the operator can turn around and run the building in a non-sustainable manner.

On a broader (and much more difficult) note I think LEED should up the ante on almost all credits, especially water. I would also like to see LEED get out of the specific specifications of how to meet each credit and open it up to innovation. Maybe they could just set a carbon footprint for construction and another for operation and let the designers, contractors and operators make it happen. If we did this I think we might see some real innovative solutions. Upping the ante and innovation are not mutually exclusive, but I think it means an entire overhaul of the LEED rating system. I hate to slam LEED but they are the leader in this arena and although we are making big steps, the science is saying we need to be making GIANT steps.

Q: What have you done in your personal life to become more environmentally responsible?

The biggest thing we have done as a family is to stay in a home that we do not like, actually hate at times. But we hung in here until we could afford, and until the technology would allow us to build a green home that not only works for us but works for the environment also. We are now in the process of designing a new home that does both. In the meantime we have been “greening” our current home even though we will not see the payback but someone – and the environment- will see it.

Q: How do you respond to people who argue that global warming is a myth?
Is there really anyone out there that still thinks that? Even Bush? I have a hard time responding to people that argue that it is a myth, I would rather spend my time conversing with people that want to collaborate on what we can do to make a difference. If I had to respond to those that still think it is a myth, I would say to go read the 90% of the real scientists, not the extremists that have an agenda, but the real scientists from NOAA, NASA, NCAR, EPA, Scripps, etc. that say it is happening. If the science is over their heads I would say “OK lets say we do make major changes and you are right there is no global warming, what happens – not much would happen (maybe some new jobs and some cleaner air, maybe some money gets spent.) Then what happens if you are wrong and we do nothing – a global disaster (25% of species extinction, 30% Rocky Mountain snow pack reduction, coral reef destruction that holds 25% of ocean species, weather extremes, ocean level rise at just the 1 meter rise not the 6 meter extreme) that we cannot buy our way out of, one that makes the hundreds of billons of dollars in the Katrina buy out look like nothing. Check out the New York Times Katrina Diaspora (http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2005/10/02/national/nationalspecial/20051002diaspora_graphic.html) to see what impacts Katrina had on our country and then imagine that along all our coastlines.

Q: If you could recommend one book for green design students to read, what would it be and why?

Wow that is hard! From a philosophical perspective I think Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken had the biggest impact upon me, maybe because in my previous life I was in Business Administration and Business Management. From strictly a design perspective the Not So Big House series by Sarah Susanka, gave me practical ideas I could implement – and have implemented them. I am currently reading Paul Hawken’s new book Blessed Unrest and I love it!

Q: What is your favorite sustainability newsletter or website?

Again, this is really hard! There are so many great ones. I think Environmental Building News, gives me the most detailed pro and con information on products and construction processes. On the other hand, Treehugger.com is a great place for a broader, more superficial take on environmental issues and a great launching place for real research because they source their articles. But I am also on the Architecture 2030 website every day also.

Q: What area of green design interests/intrigues you the most and why?

I am not sure we can have an area of interest because we really have to integrate all areas of design. But from a more macro perspective I have found more interest in Residential Design because I think that is where the bulk of the work is left to be done. We are making great inroads into Commercial Design – granted we have a long way to go- but for me, I see more room for innovation and education in residential design.

Q: Who are some of your favorite "environmental champions?"

Again there are so many, Al Gore, Paul Hawken, Ray Anderson, William McDonough, Rachel Carson….however, the person that seems to me to speak in

Starting next week, this site will post interviews with RMCAD's Green Design faculty providing insights into their personal/professional philosophies and opinions about the issues, challenges, and future of sustainable design such as:

• What do you believe is the single most critical issue we face as environmentally responsible designers?
• If you could add a new credit category to the LEED rating systems, what would it be and why?
• What have you done in your personal life to become more environmentally responsible?
• How do you respond to people who argue that global warming is a myth?
• If you could recommend one book for green design students to read, what would it be and why?
• What is your favorite sustainability newsletter or website?
• What area of green design interests/intrigues you the most and why?
• Who are some of your favorite "environmental champions?"

Look for the first interview 2/16/08

Design is about consumption and disposal. Yes, it is also about creating environments that enhance quality of life and support the health, safety and welfare of the public - but to achieve these outstanding environments, a tremendous amount of resources are consumed and thrown away. Consider the consumption/disposal trail of just one interior surfacing material - carpet: 1.8 billion square yards of carpet (almost all of it manufactured from non-renewable, CO2 producing, petroleum-based nylon) are sold each year while 800 million square yards of carpet are dumped in landfills per year. 70% of all carpet replaced each year is replaced for reasons other than wear according to the Rug and Carpet Institute. Designers specify a huge portion of this 1.8 billion square yards of carpet and send a huge portion of the 800 billion square yards to landfills.

Before design students or design professionals specify another square yard of carpet or any other interior material, we should all watch "The Story of Stuff": http://www.storyofstuff.com/

The Story of Stuff is an extremely interesting, thought provoking, even humorous 20 minute video that looks at where our "stuff "come from, how it is made, used and disposed of ….a must-see for ALL designers of the built environment.

Think about it: if you don't have 20 minutes to spend considering the real effects of YOUR design decisions on the health of the planet, you should perhaps consider another profession. The future belongs to designers who are educated in and committed to environmental responsibility. Is there any doubt that this is our greatest responsibility?

"Studies show that women are more likely than men to actively support environmental causes through voting, activism, and consumer choices." This and dozens of other enlightening facts about the role of women in the sustainable design movement can be found in a ground-breaking book entitled Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design. The authors - Kira Gould and Lance Hosey - assert that the future of sustainability will depend on women and the perspectives they bring to every discipline -especially the design discipline. They make the case that women are changing how we view the world and our work. Clearly, the implications for the design industry are profound!

The book presents the insights of nearly 200 architects, designers, activists, policymakers, writers, educators, and students, on a variety of topics from communities to buildings to interior design to product design. The authors also reviewed a number of studies, compared statistics from various organizations, and surveyed a broad range of literature to draw their conclusions that women have historically played - and continue to play - key roles as catalysts in all aspects of sustainability.

Green design students and professionals….this is a must-read book for women and men interested in how the future of design and the planet will be shaped by a new ethic of collaboration!. Read it now and be a part of this new ethic....read it now!!

Available from: Ecotone Publishing LLC, the first exclusive green architecture and design publisher. Visit http://www.ecotonedesign.com. It is also available from Amazon.