Green Building Not So Hot (or Air Conditioned)

Paying for California's green initiatives is proving difficult, according to an article in the Chronicle today, while the beyondchron blog calls into question the merits of one green building already erected in S.F. The George H.W. Bush Federal Building has been lauded as a feat of green design, but the people who actually work there have a different take on the building's success. It has no heating and no air conditioning, except in the offices of management, which means employees either freeze or overheat. In a sweet twist of fate, the climate controls supplied to higher-ups don't work. In the interests of saving energy, the elevators stop at every third floor, except for the one designated for persons with physical disabilities, which stops at every floor. That's the elevator most people use, including deliverymen, which Beyondchron predicts is perfect grounds for a discrimination lawsuit. Employees are also miffed that the building cafeteria is located across the street. Actually, I'm going to give that complaint a big "meh." I'm also not sure if the design flaws constitute a "nightmare" but then again, I don't have to prop up an umbrella to keep the sun out of my cubicle. — Andy Wright