In its latest issue, New York Magazine rates the green-ness of 10 residential buildings in Manhattan and Brooklyn. From the introduction to the piece -- "But which ones are really saving resources, and which are just 'green-washing'" -- I thought I was about to read a scathing exposé on the state of green architecture in New York. Instead I read a puff piece that neither celebrates nor scolds, even when the only things green about a residence are compact fluorescent bulbs handed out to residents and recycling paper products in common areas.
The story includes a promising intro and then a list of the 10 buildings, each with a one-liner of eco features and a verdict as to how green these features make the building.
For example:
It would have been nice to know what "energy-saving 'envelope' and mechanicals" are, and if the writer actual spoke with experts like she claims in her introduction to have done, she'd be able to tell us if the "light-hued roofing materials" actually do keep interiors cooler in summer.
The rest of the piece goes on like this, never giving the reader solid information about how well these building's features work.
With green living becoming so fashionable, and the influx of products, cars, and buildings claiming to be eco-friendly, it's incredibly frustrating when a publication doesn't do its homework and give readers useful information.
Also, I'm not sure why these 10 buildings were chosen for this story. Surely they aren't the only buildings in New York with green features.
