Design Checklist

We impact the environment at every stage of the exhibit life cycle—from production and processing of raw materials, to design and fabrication, to exhibit use, and finally exhibit disposal. While museums have varying degree of influence over processes at each stage, most do have control over exhibit design, materials choice, and partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers.

The design process offers enormous potential to reduce environmental impacts and increase innovation at each stage of an exhibit's life cycle, beginning with two basic principles: eliminate waste and eliminate toxins.

Green Design Checklist:

The guidelines below offer concrete ways to work toward sustainability.

This checklist was significantly altered and adapted from a checklist originally published in Environmental Building News, September-October 1992, entitled "Checklist for Environmentally Responsible Design & Construction." The original was developed for new building construction and included siting, landscaping, etc.

Design

		Rethink the menu, not just the recipe.
			Do we really need to use toxic fiberglass and synthetic carpeting in the children's museum industry? What if we served something else? What about materials that are sustainable and quickly replenished?
		Smaller is better.
			Does it have to be enormous to be fun? Optimize use of space through careful design. Don't overbuild to keep cost and material waste to a minimum.
		Optimize materials use.
			Simplify design to accommodate standard building material dimensions. Avoid over designing.
		Design for future reuse.
			Can it be adapted into something else? Can it be deliberately designed in the first place with a future reuse in mind? Choose components and materials that can be reused or recycled.
		Design to do more good, not simply "less bad."
			Create lists of materials to avoid, materials to use in moderation, and materials to use more plentifully. Strive to use the list of "best products" as much as possible. Try to eliminate the harmful materials altogether.
		Design to support creativity, innovation, fun, and reinvention.
			Does it support invention, ingenuity, and serendipity? Is it whimsical, and does it lend itself to reinvention?
		Design for deconstruction.
			Can it be dismantled quickly and easily? Can it be separated into pieces or parts that are reusable?

Build

		Stop using known culprits.
			Use products and materials that have no known dangerous toxins or chemicals. Find an alternative solution that is safe for children.
		Use durable products and materials.
			Use products and materials that are "timeless" and known to last, or materials that can be easily refinished. Stay away from products that are not durable, that are difficult to refinish, or that quickly end up in a landfill.
		Choose materials with low embodied energy
			Use products that have not been heavily processed or manufactured, as these tend to require more energy. One estimate of the relative energy intensity of various materials (by weight) is as follows: Lumber=1, Brick=2, Cement=2, Glass=3, Fiberglass=7, Steel=8, Plastic=30, Aluminum=80. (Source, Building and Environment, Vol 27, No 1)
		Buy locally produced building materials.
			Look for regionally based, local materials. Cut down on transportation costs while supporting the local economy.
		Use sustainable materials that are quickly replenished.
			Try using natural materials that are grown quickly, like bamboo or hemp. Use materials that are grown sustainably, like organic cotton or certified hardwoods.
		Use building materials made from recycled materials.
			Using products made from recycled materials helps cut down on solid waste problems. Look for percentage of recycled content on building materials.
		Use salvaged building materials when possible.
			Use salvaged lumber, bricks, components-all kinds of materials, rather than buying new. This helps cut down on landfill space, conserves resources, and often adds aesthetic appeal.
		Minimize use of pressure-treated lumber.
			Seek to discontinue use of pressure treated lumber. Look for alternative decking or plastic lumber, or find alternative ways to deal with moisture problems with soil and rot.
		Minimize packaging waste.
			Purchase materials from suppliers that don't over-package to avoid unnecessary waste.
		Purchase materials in bulk.
			Buy in bulk whenever possible to avoid extra transportation, packaging, and labor costs.
		Minimize job site waste.
			Organize shop space to accommodate extra space for sorting and reuse. Put a regular recycling program into place for metal, papers, batteries, computers, etc. Donate unused building materials to organizations like Habitat for Humanity Restore.

Operate

		Use nontoxic cleaning products that contribute to a healthy environment.
			Select cleaning supplies that are safe to eat. If they say "caution" anywhere on the label, or something even worse, DON'T USE THEM.