I ran across this criticism of Architects and the green movement the other day. http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-007-prioritizing-green2014it-s-the-energy-stupid/?full_view=1
It was written by Joseph Lstiburek; a renowned building science expert and royal smart ass. Many Architects and Engineers do not like Mr. Lstiburek because of his criticisms. I think mostly because he is all too often right; and he always has facts to back his claims up.
Lstiburek's basic criticism is this. Architects and Engineers are creating "Green Monuments". Buildings that are hailed Green and win awards; and yet they statistically are not saving any energy over their non-green counterparts.
I tend to agree with many of his criticisms. I have felt for some time that we get caught up in all the new exciting technology - so much so that we forget the basic principles of good environmental design that the Ancients knew, and that Edward Mazria re-taught us over 30 years ago. This is why I try to focus on the basics - see http://simplyeleganthomedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/top-10-green-things-to-do-when-building.html
I think our industry should be open to criticisms like his. If we really want to do good, then we should verify that we really are doing good; and just not convincing ourselves of it.
