Introduction to Green Buildings

CT.LAKSHMANAN B.Arch., M.C.P.

Buildings Account for . . .
20% of U.S. economy
All construction

39% of U.S. primary
energy use
70% of U.S. energy
consumption

12% of all potable
water
16 trillion gallons /
year
40% of raw materials
globally
3 billon tons / year

136 million tons of
waste / year
Municipal solid
waste = 210 million
tons / year

Source: USGBC
Building Life Cycle Costs
Design
Architects, Engineers, Planners
Construction
Labor (contractors), Materials, Equipment
Operation and Maintenance
Lighting, Heating/Cooling, Renovations,
Cleaning
Deconstruction
Labor (contractors), material disposal (recycle?)
Building Life Cycle Costs
The people inside!
Workers wages can make up bulk of life
cycle costs of a building
Comfortable building
space
Happier workers
More productivity!
Not typical to think
this way, but
becoming more
common
What is a green building?
High-performance building that reduces its
environmental footprint through sustainable site
selection and conservation of energy and resources,
while improving the health and productivity of its
occupants.
What is LEED?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Created by the USGBC in 1998
Adapted for other countries
Canada
Australia
Hong Kong

LEED Categories
Sustainable Sites (SS)
Water Efficiency (WE)
Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
Materials & Resources (MR)
Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ or IEQ)
Innovation & Design (ID)

Credits & Available Points
Abbreviation Category Prerequisites Credits Sub-Credits
Points
Available
SS Sustainable Sites 1 8 6 14
WE Water Efficiency 0 3 2 5
EA Energy & Atmosphere 3 6 2 17
MR Materials & Resources 1 7 6 13
IEQ
Indoor Environmental
Quality
2 8 7 15
ID Innovation & Design 0 2 3 5
TOTAL 7 34 26 69
Current Rating Systems:
1. New Construction (NC)
2. Commercial Interiors (CI)
3. Existing Buildings (EB)
4. Core & Shell (CS)
5. Homes (H)
6. Neighborhood Development (ND)
7. Numerous pilot programs (e.g. Retail)

Certification Levels:
1. Certified: 26-32 points
2. Silver: 33-38 points
3. Gold: 39-51 points
4. Platinum: 52-69 points
LEED 2009 Changes (Version 3)
New 110 point scale
Certain credits with more environmental impact
now worth multiple points, with intention to
reward owners for employing these strategies
Water Efficiency Prerequisite 20% overall
water use reduction (excluding irrigation)
4 additional points available through
development density and community
connectivity (intent to drive development toward
infill sites)
4 regional points into NC
LEED Basics Category Examples
Sustainable Sites (SS)
Site Selection
Density and Connectivity
Brownfield Redevelopment
Alternative Transportation
Site Development Habitat/Open Space
Stormwater Control
Reduction of Heat Island Effect
Light Pollution Reduction
LEED Basics Category Examples
Water Efficiency
Water Use Reduction
Water Efficient Landscaping
Innovative Wastewater Technology
LEED Basics Category Examples
Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy
Building Commissioning
LEED Basics Category Examples
Materials & Resources (MR)
Building Reuse
Construction Waste Management
Materials Reuse
Recycled Materials
Regional Materials
Rapidly Renewing Materials
Certified Wood

LEED Basics Category Examples
Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)
Ventilation
Low-Emitting Materials
Controllable Systems: Lighting - Thermal
Thermal Comfort
Daylight & Views
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
CERTIFIED SILVER GOLD PLATINUM
N
u
m
b
e
r

o
f

P
r
o
j
e
c
t
s
Level
LEED Certified Projects by Level
Where can green buildings fit in?
Economics
Can save lots of $$ over life cycle

Environment
Can save huge amounts of energy, resources, and
emissions

Social Equity
Can produce happier, healthier workers/tenants
What is Sustainability?
Meeting the needs of the
present without
compromising the ability of
future generations to meet
their own needs