Mean lean green
The “Mean Lean Green” philosophy aims to produce developments that lower the demand for resources, provide efficient structures and deploy innovative technology.
It is based on the hierarchy:
- Mean. Reducing the demand for materials, energy, water and other resources. For example, creating guidelines for building designers to ensure demand is low from the outset, by utilising passive measures such as natural heating, lighting, ventilation and external shading.
- Lean. Ensuring that materials and systems are used responsibly and efficiently. For example, reducing distribution losses for energy (or water) between generation and usage. This might involve supplying heat, cooling, power and water from an on-site source.
- Green. Supplying any remaining requirements from renewable sources to minimise residual carbon emissions. For example, solar power or rainwater harvesting.
Developers can tend to jump straight to the ‘green’ aspect , that is, renewable energy generation, but the other two – using less and making sure as much as possible gets to the point of usage – are equally important.
The philosophy applies to environmental assessments and strategies at all scales, including; the design of buildings and infrastructure, new city developments and climate change adaptation projects, as well as implementing strategies to reduce carbon and take advantage of carbon finance and trading. Being Mean, Lean and Green in its broadest sense requires integration of central and local government policy, legislation, building regulations, client policy and design strategy.
The Mean Lean Green approach was adopted by the Olympic Delivery Authority in the development of the London 2012 Olympic Park (ref ODA: Mean, lean and green, Powering the Olympic Park).
Whilst the Mean Lean Green approach is popular in the ‘Global North’ it can be less useful in the ‘Global South’ where the ‘lean’ aspect may already happen through necessity, and in fact increased resource consumption may be required to improve quality of life.
NB The term 'Lean Construction' was coined by the International Group for Lean Construction in 1993. It is, in part, an adaptation of the principles of lean manufacturing concerned with maximising the value delivered to clients/customers/end-users while minimising cost and waste through the entire construction supply chain.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Circular economy.
- Climate Change Act.
- Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
- Emission rates.
- End of life potential.
- Energy targets.
- Green plot ratio.
- Green supply chain management.
- Just-in-time manufacturing.
- Lean construction.
- Lean construction - a quality perspective.
- Lean Six Sigma.
- Off site, on track.
- Recyclable construction materials.
- Recycling.
- Smart cities.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable materials
- Wood and the Circular Economy.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non domestic buildings.
[edit] External references
- ODA: Mean, lean and green, Powering the Olympic Park.
- Lean, Mean & Green: Reimaging Detroit and other post-industrial cities too.
- Commission for a Sustainable London 2012: Case Study: Renewable energy.
- Public Service Review: PROFILE- Green Solutions – without the upfront cost.
Featured articles and news
Can net zero and levelling-up align?
Gaining green support from the carbon giants.
Medieval passageways with spiritual, transport and economic purposes.
CIOB applauded for people management leadership
Organisation receives accreditation from Investors in People.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.
The importance of successful crisis messaging
Communicating the right information at the right time.
Angular selective shading systems
Materials can take on different properties to control heat and glare.
Challenges in the construction sector and beyond.
Exploring brick and timber construction techniques.
On wheels or on platforms, micro dwellings are popping up everywhere.
Electrical safety in the private rented sector
Landlords must now comply with new repair regulations.
Check out our A-Z of equality, diversity and inclusion.
We now have more than 12,000 articles
You can add articles and help improve knowledge in the construction industry.
Ayo Sokale explains the struggles of being neurodiverse.
Communities, heritage and architecture. Book review.
The voluntary sector continues to shape the debate.