Sustainable Buildings, Sustainable Bodies

When I was a little boy, I used to wake up while my dad was getting ready for work at his general construction outfit. Knowing how busy he was, I always found it funny that he would wake up extra early in order to run a few miles, followed by calisthenics like push-ups and sit-ups. Back then, I didn't know of any other dad who exercised like my dad did. Much later on in life, after adopting my own serious exercise regimen, did I realize that my father was not just keeping himself healthy, but he was also adopting what nowadays would be referred to as a sustainable human body.

Today's sustainable and green movement is not only about creating energy efficient structures, it is also about maintaining a healthy body or "temple" if you will, of ones own. During the recent Green Airports Conference which took place in Chicago, the importance of keeping a fit body mimicked almost precisely the philosophy of the modern green airport.

Says one commercial contractor, "Contractors…may be green without even knowing it. Why? Because their bottom line is to produce as good a product as efficiently as possible."

The same can be said of keeping the body fit. Today my dad is 74, runs and lifts weights on a daily basis and still puts in a 60 hour week. His construction operation is also one of the most efficiently run in New York's Capital District.

Have you recently decided to take on an exercise program? If so, has your professional career improved because of it? Do you see a direct correlation between maintaining a sound, sustainable body and designing and/or building a sustainable building?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Building & Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Building & Design today.