The concept of high performance green and sustainable buildings. Traditional and advanced building materials. Sustainable building materials characteristics and selection criteria. The three phases of the building material life cycle. Embodied energy and material performance recycled content, rapidly renewable materials, low VOC materials. Pollution prevention and waste reduction measures in materials manufacturing; natural materials, reduction of construction waste, non-toxic or less-toxic materials, reusability, recyclability, biodegradability. Reduction of the ecological footprint of construction operations.