|
A Snapshot Intro to
the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED™
Green Building Rating System
From
Gensler Resources, Edited by Elisa Garcia,
Assoc. AIA
U.S.
Green Building Council:
The nation’s foremost coalition of leaders
from across the building industry working
to promote buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable, and healthy places
to live and work.
U.S. Green
Building Council’s purpose is to:
- Integrate building industry sectors
- Lead market transformation
- Educate owners and practitioners
U.S. Green
Building Council is:
- A national nonprofit organization based
in Washington, DC
- A diverse membership of organizations
- Consensus-driven
- Committee-based product development
- Developer and administrator of the
LEED™ Green Building Rating System
Environmental
Impact of Buildings*:
- 65.2% of total U.S. electricity consumption
- > 36% of total U.S. primary energy
use
- 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions
- 136 million tons of construction and
demolition waste in the U.S. (approx.
2.8 lbs/person/day)
- 12% of potable water in the U.S.
- 40% (3 billion tons annually) of raw
materials use globally
* Commercial and residential
What is “Green”
Design?:
Design and construction
practices that significantly reduce or eliminate
the negative impact of buildings on the
environment and occupants in five broad
areas:
- Sustainable site planning
- Safeguarding water and water efficiency
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Conservation of materials and resources
- Indoor environmental quality
Benefits of
Green Building:
Environmental Benefits
- Reduce the impacts of natural resource
consumption
Economic Benefits
Health and
Safety Benefits
- Enhance occupant comfort and health
Community Benefits
- Minimize strain on local infrastructures
and improve quality of life
Economic Benefits:
Competitive first costs
- Integrated design allows high benefit
at low cost by achieving synergies between
disciplines and between technologies
Reduce operating
costs
- Lower utility costs (i.e., $.60-$1.20
per square foot versus $1.50).*
*Rough estimate based on LEED credits
that reward up to 60% energy savings over
ASHRAE 90.1-
1999 and up to 30% water use reduction
(after meeting the Energy Policy Act of
1992).
Increase building
valuation
- Using the income-capitalization method:
asset value = net operating income (NOI)
divided by the capitalization rate. If
the cap rate is 10%, multiply the reduction
in annual operating costs by 10 to calculate
the increase in the building’s asset
value
Decrease vacancy,
improve retention
Optimize life-cycle
economic performance
Improve productivity
- Providing a healthy workplace improves
employee satisfaction
Reduce liability
LEED:
Leadership in Energy & Environmental
Design. A leading-edge system for designing,
constructing, and certifying the world’s
greenest buildings.
Why was LEED™
Created?:
- To define “green” by providing
a standard for measurement
- To prevent “greenwashing”
(false or exaggerated claims)
- To use as a design guideline
- To promote whole-building, integrated
design processes
- To recognize leaders
- To stimulate green competition
- To establish market value with recognizable
national “brand”
- To raise consumer awareness
- To transform the marketplace!
Technical Overview
of LEED™:
- Green building rating system, currently
for commercial, institutional, and high-rise
residential new construction and major
renovation.
- Existing, proven technologies
- Evaluates and recognizes performance
in accepted green design categories
- LEED 3.0 product development includes
existing buildings, multiple buildings,
core & shell, interiors, and residential
- Whole-building approach encourages
and guides a collaborative, integrated
design and construction process
- Optimizes environmental and economic
factors
- Four levels of certification:
- LEED Certified 26-32 points
- Silver Level 33-38 points
- Gold Level 39-51 points
- Platinum Level 52+ points (69
possible)
LEED™
Point Distribution:
- Energy & Atmosphere 27%
- Indoor Environmental Quality 23%
- Sustainable Sites 22%
- Materials & Resources 20%
- Water Efficiency 8%
LEED™
Certification Process:
A three-step process:
- Step 1: Project Registration
1. Welcome Packet and on-line project
listing
- Step 2: Technical Support
1. Credit Rulings
- Step 3: Building Certification
1. Upon documentation submittal and USGBC
review
LEED™
Resources:
- LEED™ Green Building Rating System
- Training Workshop
- Reference Package
- Professional Accreditation
- Welcome Packet
- Credit Rulings
- Website (www.leedbuilding.org)
Certification
Benefits:
Recognition of Quality Buildings and Environmental
Stewardship
- Third party validation of achievement
- Qualify for growing array of state
and local government incentives
- Contribute to growing knowledge base
- LEED™ Certification plaque to
mount on building
- Official Certificate
- Receive marketing exposure through
USGBC Web site, case, studies, and media
announcements
|
