Introduction to Green Buildings & LEED

Defining Sustainability: Defining Sustainability United

Nations World Commission on Environment and
Development Development that meets the needs of
present generations without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.

Defining Green Buildings: Defining Green Buildings

Design and construction practices that significantly
reduce, or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on
the environment and its occupants with regard to site
planning; safeguarding water use and water use
efficiency; promoting energy efficiency and renewable
energy; conserving materials and resources; and
promoting indoor environmental quality.
(US Green Building Council)

Construction Impacts: Construction Impacts 76 million

residential buildings in US 5 million commercial buildings
in US consume 40 % or raw materials 32% total energy
produced 17% fresh water 25% global wood harvest 5
billion gals water/day just for toilets generates 25-40% of
municipal solid waste from C&D 50% of US CFC
production 30% of US CO2 production.

Building Operations Impacts: Building Operations

Impacts 49% of Sulfur Dioxide emissions 25% nitrous
oxide emissions 10% of all particulate matter 1/3 of all
energy consumption in US 2/3 of all electricity
consumption in US disturbs natural habitats contaminates
air, soil, and water depletes non-renewable resources of
greenhouse gases 35% of carbon dioxide emissions
community issues occupant issues sources: The
Architecture of Sustainability, 2002, World Watch Institute,
USGBC
Key Issues and Benefits: Key Issues and Benefits
Institution Building Commissioning Air Quality Occupants
productivity and well being Energy Conservation Water
Conservation
Storm
Water
Management
Waste
Management Local & State Standards & Programs Green
ethics / commitment Research and Grant opportunities
Being a leader (as it should) Responsibility to show
importance Competitive advantage (ie recruiting)
Institutional community demand Great public relations
Overall Financial Benefits: Overall Financial Benefits
Energy Water Wastewater Reduced Waste Improved
Indoor Environmental Quality Greater Employee
Comfort/Productivity Reduced Employee Health Costs
Lower Operation and Maintenance Costs Competitive
First Costs Through integrated design & synergies
Increased Value & ROI Marketing Advantage Reduced
Liability Improve Risk Management Insurance costs
Air Quality: Air Quality Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) effect
the contents of the inside air has on a structure and its
occupants People spend 90% of their time indoors Indoor
air has 10-100X higher pollutants than outdoor air USEPA
Indoor Air Quality .

Energy Conservation : Energy Conservation US uses

25% of world energy but only has 5% of population & 95%
of our energy is from fossil fuels (US Energy Information
Administration) Higher Education - $2 Billion/year on
energy (American School & University) Most can reduce
by up to 30% - savings can be used on: New faculty
Upgrades/renovations for more savings New programs
Water Conservation: Water Conservation USA uses 340
billion gallons of fresh water per day Nearly 65% is
discharged into waterways Energy Policy Act of 1992
Facilities can easily reduce use by 20-30% with little cost
and effort Water & Sewer Bills Connection Fees & Tax
Base
Mythology About First Costs: Mythology About First
Costs Another recent study has shown the following
average increase in project construction costs, on a
percentage basis for LEED certification.
Certified 0 2.5%
Silver 0 3.3%
Gold 0.3 5.0%
Platinum 4.5 8.5% .
Mythology About First Costs Building green can be done
for no additional cost Initial premium costs are entirely up
to you and project specific LEED buildings average only a
2-3% increase in costs, but can be done for the same
budget as traditional buildings with planning Savings from
green buildings more than return any premium you may
choose to put into it Design Fees will be higher but
construction costs may be reduced Set Budget first then
work fees within framework.

General Mythologies: General Mythologies Appearance

of Green Buildings You design it to look how you want. It
can easily match traditional campus design or not. Carpet,
furniture and windows do not have to look different. They
can look like traditional ones only they perform better and
are healthier.
Does not need to be high tech to be green. Time Green
Buildings take the same amount of time to construct as
regular buildings. More time may be required in the
Design phase though. Costs Green Buildings do not have
to cost more. With planning they can be built at the same
price or less. Design fees may be higher in the beginning
of the project but the extra design work will lower the
actual construction costs. In the end the building costs the
same and fits in the traditional budget. Normal: 2 + 2 = 4
Green: 3 + 1 = 4 Long term maintenance and operations
costs can be reduced by 20 50% with good planning.
US Green Building Council (USGBC): US Green
Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy &
Environmental Design (LEED)
USGBCs MISSION: to promote the design and
construction of buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and
work. The organizations activities Integrate building
industry sectors Lead market transformation Educate
Owners and practitioners.
USGBC is... A national nonprofit organization A diverse
membership
of
organizations
Consensus-driven
Committee-based product development Developer and
administrator of the LEED Green Building Rating System

What is Green Design?: 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

LEED :Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

A leading-edge system for designing, constructing,
operating and certifying the worlds greenest buildings.
Why Was LEED Created?
Use as a design guideline Recognize leaders Stimulate
green competition Establish market value with
recognizable national brand Raise consumer awareness
Transform the marketplace!
Facilitate positive results for the environment, occupant
health and financial return Define green by providing a
standard for measurement Prevent greenwashing (false
or exaggerated claims) Promote whole-building, integrated
design processes.