Tips on how to achieve a balance between costs and sustainable building construction.
Many building professionals pursue LEED© certification because they believe it's the right thing to do. Since the first version of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines were introduced in 2000, consensus has been building that adherence to those guidelines is good for everyone-from building owners and managers to the planet itself.
Naturally, however, costs are a significant concern. But several techniques exist to help owners, architects and contractors in various markets, including higher education, capture those all-important points for the fewest possible dollars. Furthermore, early decision-making will provide the greatest energy payoffs in the long term. In the case of public buildings, such as schools, that can mean savings for taxpayers.
Location, Location, Location
The first consideration is site selection, which allows for not only some of the easiest and cheapest LEED points to pick up, but also other perks such as tax credits.
Choosing a building site immediately involves the owner in decisions that can easily reap LEED benefits. Damaged brownfield sites, for instance, can be picked up inexpensively and rehabilitated. Habitat restoration following the building's completion should be undertaken with a careful plan for bulldozer placement and use; this way, site disturbance - and thus rehab costs - can be kept to a minimum.
Another simple solution is to plan landscaping around native grasses and vegetation. Not only is this less costly than exotic imported greenery; it's also more environmentally friendly. That's because plants that are adapted to the environment will not require expensive irrigation systems to maintain their appeal. At the very least, they'll require less irrigation than other choices. The money saved on irrigation can be invested in other water-use reduction technology, such as sensors on faucets and waterless urinals.
Site selection should also depend on whether the site lies in close proximity to alternative transportation. Alternative transportation near the site can potentially earn the project a LEED point. Capturing the point can be as simple as providing a rack for workers to store their bicycles, along with shower facilities. Site selection is also critical to long-term heating and cooling costs. Building orientation and landscaping can significantly reduce costs over time.
Energy and Recycling
Energy and atmosphere technologies are not, at first glance, the cheapest green solutions. However, it's important to remember that the higher initial costs can be offset through efficiency; the client will be able to reach the payback point in fewer years, especially when the equipment is reinforced by good site selection and other, less expensive additions such as external sun shades.
One increasingly popular choice is the use of white roofs. Their high reflectivity doesn't absorb heat as dark-colored tar or shingle roofs do. This makes the building much easier to cool-and, as many building owners and operators can attest to, is also more modern and attractive in appearance.
In the future, construction company owners and operators will face requirements for mandatory recycling and use of recycled materials. Therefore, it is their commitment to ensure that subcontractors recycle as well. For this to be successful, it may require multiple dumpsters and additional plans for construction staging and management, but the reduction in landfill debris is significant. Construction waste management is also a smart option for both cost savings and recycling points. Instead of paying another subcontractor to haul construction waste to the dump, owners can pay a lower hauling fee to a company that will remove and recycle materials such as corrugated cardboard, metals, glass and wood.
Indoor Issues
Indoor environmental concerns are often overlooked. Low-emitting volatile organic compound (VOC) materials don't cost more than problematic high-emitting ones, so they should always be included in planning and design from the start. This can be as simple as the design team incorporating these specific materials into their specifications. Items such as adhesives, sealants, paints and carpeting can be utilized at little or no premium to the project budget.
The sun is a major free resource. Therefore, controllable individual cubicle task lighting can be complemented by plenty of windows that provide daylight for the entire space. Although this means that private offices can no longer "reserve" windows, it gives more employees an advantage, allowing the entire office to benefit from the sunlight.
Fresh Ideas
It's important to remember that not all certification points are right for all clients. For example, a shelter facility for homeless men was not able to take advantage of the water reduction capabilities of waterless urinals due to their unique requirements and clientele. Crucial to the certification process is to tailor solutions to clients' needs, as well as their desires.
LEED conferences, workshops and trade shows are chock full of new products and ideas, as well as places to exchange ideas and heighten awareness. Building owners and operators, along with contractors and design professionals, do well to attend.
Another strategy that's a "slam dunk" is to include a LEED Accredited Professional on the design team. This person can direct the way toward less-recognized point solutions - such as adding fly ash to concrete, which will earn a recycled-materials point. An accredited professional and innovative design can further reduce costs. In fact, their knowledge can assist in making LEED certification as easy and inexpensive as possible.
The Way of the Future
LEED-certified buildings are growing, not going away. The certification system has heightened awareness within the building industry. Instead of throwing away tons of materials in landfills, everyone now tries to find or create new uses for leftovers such as old oak doors. So, if a project's architect or engineer is not familiar with the program or the certification process, owners should take the time to ensure they are aware of it as early in the design process as possible.
A certified site will prove to be as good as, or better than, one constructed with conventional processes and materials. Any additional monetary investment will achieve payback within a few years, and marketing departments can make green awareness part of the corporate philosophy. Even if owners are not pursuing certification, most sites can make good use of technology developed with LEED in mind-and still manage to "do the right thing" without breaking the budget. SLDT