LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization committed to the sustainable future for our built environment through cost-efficient and energy-saving buildings.
The LEED green building certification program is a national rating system for buildings designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. LEED promotes green building strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation & design process.
The rating system has four levels of certification defined by a point system based on a system of green building requirements. There are 69 possible points of green building features, in addition to pre-requisites required. The levels of certification are as follows:
Certified: 23-27 points
Silver: 28-33 points
Gold: 34-44 points
Platinum: 45-61 points.
Statistics:
In the United States alone, buildings account for:
72% of electricity consumption,
39% of energy use,
38% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,
40% of raw materials use,
30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and
14% of potable water consumption.
Benefits of Green Building:
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 employee productivity and satisfaction
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
Contribute to overall quality of life
Evesham Medical Office Building
Based on the LEED rating system as developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), this project is pre-certified for a silver rating. The project is currently pursuing 33 points with pre-requisites as follows:
SUSTAINABLE SITES
SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles
SS Credit 5.2: Site Development: Maximize Open Space
SS Credit 6.1: Stormwater Design: Quantity Control
SS Credit 6.2: Stormwater Design: Quality Control
SS Credit 7.2: Heat Island Effect: Roof
SS Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction
SS Credit 9: Tenant Design & Construction Guidelines
WATER EFFICIENCY
WE Credit 3.1: Water Use Reduction: 20% Reduction
WE Credit 3.2: Water Use Reduction: 30% Reduction
ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE
EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems
EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance
EA Prerequisite 3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
EA Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy
EA Credit 5.2 Measurement and Verification - Tenant Sub-metering
EA Credit 6: Green Power
MATERIALS & RESOURCES
MR Prerequisite 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables
MR Credit 2.1: Construction Waste Management: Divert 50% From Disposal
MR Credit 5.1: Regional Materials: 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
MR Credit 5.2: Regional Materials: 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
MR Credit 6: Certified Wood
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EQ Prerequisite 1: Minimum IAQ Performance
EQ Prerequisite 2: Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control
EQ Credit 1: Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
EQ Credit 3: Construction IAQ Management Plan: During Construction
EQ Credit 4.1: Low-Emitting Materials: Adhesives & Sealants
EQ Credit 4.2: Low-Emitting Materials: Paints & Coatings
EQ Credit 5: Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control
INNOVATION & DESIGN PROCESS
ID Credit 1.1.4: Innovation in Design
Credit 1.1: 5% On-site renewable energy
Credit 1.2: 40% water use reduction
Credit 1.3: 95% certified wood
Credit 1.4: LEED education program
ID Credit 2: LEED Accredited Professional
