Environment by Design:

Transcription

1 Environment by Design: The LEED Green Building Rating System By Elena Bondareva, Allison Buttel, Franklin Egan, Adam Fox, and Christina Piper

2 Environmental Impact of Constructing Buildings 17% fresh water flow 25% wood harvested 50% CFC production 40% energy flow 33% CO 2 emissions 40% landfill material

3 What is Sustainable Design? An holistic approach to design that considers impacts on human health and well-being, and the natural environment at every stage of the building life cycle. (U.S Green Building Council) Protect and restore ecosystems Create livable communities Create healthy buildings Conserve and recycle resources

4 What is LEED? A national, consensus-based, market driven building rating system designed to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices. (U.S. Green Building Council)

5 Why was LEED Created? Define green by providing a standard of measurement Use as a design guideline Promote whole-building, integrated design processes Recognize leaders

6 Why was LEED Created? Prevent greenwashing Stimulate market competition Establish market value with a recognizable national brand Raise consumer awareness Transform the marketplace

7 LEED Point Distribution and Categories Indoor Environmental Quality 23% Materials and Resources 20% Sustainable Sites 22% Energy and Atmosphere 27% Water Efficiency 8%

8 LEED Point Distribution and Categories Sustainable Sites 14 points Water Efficiency 5 points Energy and Atmosphere 17 points Materials and Resources 13 points Indoor Environmental Quality 15 points Innovations 4 points Accredited Professional 1 point Total Possible Points 69 points

9 Levels of Accreditation LEED certified Silver Gold Platinum 26 points 33 points 39 points 52 points

10 Who is Doing LEED Projects? Non-profit Corporations 14% Other 5% Federal Government 10% State Government 13% Private Sector Companies 33% Local Government 25%

11 Costs of LEED <75,000 Sq Ft 75, ,000 Sq Ft >300,000 Sq Ft Charges Fixed Rate Based on Sq Ft Fixed Rate Registration Members $ $0.01 per Square Foot $3, Non-Members $ $ per Square Foot $3, Certification Members $1, $0.02 per Square Foot $6, Non-Members $1, $0.025 per Square Foot $7,500.00

12 Benefits of Green Building Environmental Benefits Reduce the impacts of natural resource consumption Economic Benefits Improve the bottom line Health and Safety Benefits Enhance occupant comfort and health Community Benefits Minimize strain on local infrastructures and improve quality of life

13 Benefits of Certification 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 Official LEED plaque and certificate Receive marketing exposure through USGBC website, case studies, and media announcements

14 Government Programs Several state governments have taken initiatives to encourage green building Extension services (OR, MN, NY) Direct Economic Incentives: Grants for renewable energy (MA) Tax credit programs (NY, MD)

15 Government Programs Maryland Tax Credit Program: $25m available through 2011 Credits for 6-8% of construction costs Must meet LEED 2.0 silver requirements

16 Government Programs $25m doesn t go as far as it used to NY awarded $18.8m on five building projects Encourages competition and awareness NY has started a trend CA, OR, and MA are pursuing similar programs

17 Government Programs Leading by example All MD state buildings and facilities must meet LEED silver requirements DEC headquarters was the first building in NY to be LEED certified

18 Case Study: Donald Bren Hall School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara LEED rating: Platinum, April 2002 Greenest lab in the nation

19 Case Study: Donald Bren Hall Sustainable site planning Energy efficiency Conserving materials and resources Safeguarding water Indoor environmental quality

20 Case Study: Donald Bren Hall Solar photovoltaic panels capture the sunlight to provide 7-10 percent of the building s energy. Words or numbers? When is it too late to implement sustainable design?

21 Case Study: Cornell University North and West Campus Residential Initiatives Some green strategies on North Campus Time Incentives Cost Official LEED certification for West Campus

22 Criticisms Undemanding eco-labeling scheme Oversimplified Checklist-style system Minimum standards No incentive to do more Creates wrong motivations Applicability Ease of implementation

23 Criticisms Methodological problems Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Difficult to interpret Important processes are excluded Inadequate measurement tools Sam Wyly Hall, University of Michigan Credits do not reflect impact Only a marginal difference

24 Criticisms Cost Limited resources Displacement of funds

25 Conclusions Balance between simplicity and complexity Changing standards Intent versus outcome Cooperation between market and government

26 The End