Assignment : For this project you will give two small group presentations. The first presentation will focus on nonstructural building materials and the second on structural building materials. For each presentation you will choose two comparative building materials or components; they can be green, sustainable or have no affiliated environmentally friendly/unfriendly label. For this project you will do some background research using technical journals, green rating systems, the LCA software we cover in the course, reliable web references, and/or the reference book for the course. You may also have direct personal experience in working with the material (s). Over the course of the term, you will provide information in the form of two oral presentations. An outline of what is expected in each of the presentations is included below: For the first presentation you will focus on two nonstructural materials used in building construction. One material would be considered a standard, perhaps non- or low- sustainable material. The other material is an alternative that has improved sustainability metrics (up to you to describe, support, analyze). Materials used in the foundation, framing, bracing, roof support system, columns, beams, structural/seismic walls are thus not to be considered. Every group member must have a speaking role. INSTRUCTIONS : For each presentation cover the following information in not more than about 8-10 slides. Each group will have 5 minutes to present. Introduce the main materials you are covering. What is the main application (s) for the materials chosen? Highlight advantages and disadvantages for these materials in relation to their sustainability/green "ness". From an LCA standpoint, what are the biggest concerns about the material over its lifespan from a sustainability perspective? For example, is it raw materials acquisition, production, construction, end of life usage? Can these materials be assessed using a rating system (e.g. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the Living Building Challenge (LBC), or Green Roads, other system within the respective materials categories and how would they receive points and/or meet the standard? If they cannot be used, elaborate on why. When describing the one (1) alternative material demonstrate how this material has improved sustainability metrics over the traditional material. You may use existing literature, an LCA evaluation tool, environmental product declaration or one of the rating systems we have covered. You may use several approaches. They is to provide quantifiable, reliable sources to justify your work. LEED - allows more points to be achieved, LBC - is not on the material red list, reduces CO2 footprint, contributes to energy savings for a net positive energy building Green Roads - fits within the framework to earn points, or earn increased points over other materials in this rating system. Remember you can use other programs such as LEED, LCB, Green Globes, Athena, BEES, EPDs and/or technical literature to support your information above. What questions are unanswered about the alternative material? Do you have any remaining concerns about the material? STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS : We need to do only 1st presentation - two nonstructural materials used in building construction. The material that we will use is hardwood flooring like oak Alternative material would be bamboo flooring Provide speaker notes as well.