How “green” is your building?

Your guide to becoming LEED literate.

This article is not about getting more money for your house or decorating it for St. Patrick’s Day. “Green building” is a phrase people in construction are hearing more and more, especially owners, architects and engineers. The “green” here relates to the impact that our buildings have on the environment.

In the U.S. buildings use up about one third of the nation’s total energy supply — in the case of electricity it’s two thirds. It’s taken one third of the country’s raw materials to get them built. And once operational, buildings collectively generate 30% of waste taken to landfills and the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere.

Now for the world picture. Per capita, Americans consume 8 to 9 times more energy than Asians, twice as much as Europeans. It’s been estimated that if everyone on Earth consumed energy at the same rate as Americans, it would take 4-5 planets to meet the demand. As we all notice, the demand for energy lately has been increasing, and so has the price!

The Green Building movement is in response to the above economic and environmental challenges; it’s a joint statement by government and the building industry that, yes, something has to give. It’s time to take a fresh look at how we design, build and use buildings, to provide buildings that:

• reduce waste and conserve resources

• are more energy efficient

• accommodate, not displace, natural habitat

• control pollution and promote clean air and water

• enhance the comfort, health and productivity of occupants

• improve their life cycle economic performance.

All great ideas, but how do you implement them? Builders of green buildings follow a set of detailed guidelines contained in the “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design,” or LEED rating system. These basically provide instructions on what materials should be used (or not used) and how the building should be planned, built and commissioned. Completing LEED specifications earns the owner points. The goal is to earn enough points, when the job’s done, to earn the status of “LEED-certified” building. LEED is the standard of measurement used to define an authentic “green” building.

Beyond issuing project guidelines, LEED also promotes integrated design practices, raises consumer awareness of green building benefits, and recognizes environmental leadership in the building industry, according to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The USGBC is a coalition of building industry leaders formed in the 1990s to provide environmentally responsible buildings that are also profitable and healthy places to live and work. It seeks to “transform the built environment through strategic alliances with key industry, research and government members.”

Blending in

Energy efficiency is only one characteristic of the “Green” building. The LEED system also calls for buildings to blend into the natural habitat where it rests and not replace it. Buildings earn LEED credits for stormwater management to control soil erosion during and after construction, controlled lighting systems that emanate less light at night, and alternative reflective materials for roofs that reduce the heat island effect in urban areas — “green roofs” covered with lots of cultivated plants offer another alternative for reducing roof heat. Surrounding landscapes are designed to be water efficient and sustainable, opting for native species and plants that can survive without additional water, fertilizer and pesticides.

The LEED method calls for protecting, even restoring, damaged or contaminated sites during construction. Builders can gain points for limiting site disturbance to 40 feet beyond the building perimeter, for example, or facilitating use of alternative transportation by workers by locating sites near commuter railroads or busses, offering bicycle storage and preferred parking for carpools.

LEED points are earned by implementing any or several of the above criteria.

Up to now we’ve mentioned new commercial buildings. Are they the only ones covered by LEED standards? No. LEED also applies to existing buildings, neighborhood developments and individual homes.

Who’s in charge?

Who is responsible for all the planning, decisions and documenting that goes with green building construction? While they mainly fall in the laps of the owner and architect/engineer, contractors and their personnel should be familiar with the processes and products since they will have a partnership role in construction. They’ll not only need the expertise to build green buildings but also have a hand in things like cost estimating and commissioning. Additionally, it’s the people in the field who can offer creative alternatives when something in the plan doesn’t work.

The contractor is an integral part of the Green Building Team. Ideally, all members — owner, design team, contractor, commissioning authority and building operator — work interactively on the project. During the design phase, the contractor can identify material sources, estimate cost, and contribute to value engineering. When construction is underway the contractor’s knowledge of what LEED points are being pursued and which are connected to their core responsibilities will help the certification process go smoothly. In design/build projects or contracts that involve construction management, the contractor’s role is a key one.

About to get greener

Still the new kid on the block, LEED projects number comparatively few. However, their numbers may be about to radically increase. In Jan. 2006, for example, only 7 LEED-certified projects existed in Chicago, but at the same time the city recorded 136 new registered projects working to become LEED-certified.

This could spell the beginning of a trend and important new opportunity for LEED-literate contractors ready to gain more experience in green building construction.

Green Building Benefits

Environmental benefits:

• Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity

• Improve air and water quality

• Reduce solid waste

• Conserve natural resources

Economic benefits:

• Reduce operating costs

• Enhance asset value and profits

• Improve productivity and satisfaction of occupants

• Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Health and community benefits:

• Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments

• Enhance occupant comfort and health

• Minimize strain on local infrastructure

• Increase overall quality of life

Source: U.S Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org)