Successful sustainable construction begins with a design that addresses each of the following five central elements of green building design.

Sustainable Site Design
Water Conservation and Quality
Energy and Environment
Indoor Environmental Quality
Conservation of Materials and Resources

To assure the integrity of the design

and the eventual sustainable outcome, integration of green technology within each of those core design elements is critical. For example, the interrelationship between the site orientation, the water conservancy program, the use of natural energy sources, the quality of natural sunlight inside the building all affect the building's need for materials and energy sources. In fact, the ideal design brings all the elements together over and over again.

Integrating the design elements requires recognition of several principles of sustainability and the application of these principles to the site analysis:

Reduce urban sprawl and destruction of land
Promote higher density urban development
Pursue brownfield development to save exiting green space
Minimize site disturbance and restore natural habitat

Below are hints for consideration with each element.

Sustainable Site Design
Only select a new site when necessary
When a new site is necessary, do not chose a site that is critical to the local eco-system
Orient the building to on the site to utilize natural resources like solar energy
Select a site that allows access to mass transit
Minimize the building's footprint by using existing surfaces, lightening roof color and using natural shading

Water Conservation and Quality
Realize that orientation of the proposed building that allows for natural drainage is often the least expensive way to improve the location
Be certain that the site assessment captures the natural hydrological attributes
Allow for the use of low-impact storm water retention
Set a water budget and implement features that help achieve the budget
Improve water conservation and quality by utilizing indigenous trees, plants and turf that do not require irrigation, fertilizers or pesticides

Energy and Environment
Maximize passive solar orientation
Reduce the need for artificial lighting by planning to use natural sunlight whenever possible
Use exterior insulation to maximize the performance of the exterior envelope
Use natural ventilation
Use Energy Star energy efficient appliances
Use new-age lighting products and settings
Research all the new energy technologies

Indoor Environmental Quality
Protect the building's interior during the construction process
Make the building smoke-free
Maximize the used of daylight sunlight
Make sure that all interior finishes are environmentally friendly and safe
Design a healthy heating, cooling and ventilating system

Materials and Resources
Use engineer designed high stress materials whose strength reduces the quantity of used materials
Use recycled materials whenever possible
Use materials that can be recycled when their functional life has elapsed
Support the local economy and reduce the transportation of materials by using local providers of local products

The five major elements, from sustainable sites to materials and resources, are also considered in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED building certification. Whether considering that certification or just interested in green building, the above points to consider can make a huge difference in returns, cost and the environment.