How big can a 'green' building be?

Just how big can a "green" building be?

Earlier this week, Cincinnati-based ATA Beilharz Architects announced that construction has begun on the new regional distribution center for Home Depot at the Corridor 75 Industrial Park in Monroe.

The project has been billed as "the region's largest green development" and has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with the goal of achieving LEED certification.

According to the press release, the building, being developed by Prologis and Vandercar Holdings and built by Paul Hemmer Corporation, will utilize over 700 tons of recycled material and has been designed to be energy efficient.

But what is the definition of "green", and are the USGBC standards too high or two low?

The structure itself will cover over 15 acres, or 659,925 square feet.

To put that into perspective, it could hold 9 football fields under its roof.

And it's being built on an undeveloped greenfield site and will have a constant stream of trucks entering, exiting, and idling.

Putting aside the obvious value of the investment in our region and the number of jobs that will be created, if developments like these achieve LEED certification, is that deserved?

Image credit: ATA Beilharz Architects