LEED standard: changing building industry for the better.

AuthorOrr, Vanessa
PositionSpecial section: ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE

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When the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building standard was first introduced, it was hoped that it would create a demand for better-performing buildings that would be sustainable in the long-term. And while it has met this goal, it has also spawned a change in mindset across the building industry that has resulted in dramatic market change.

"I believe that we've seen a huge industry shift in the last five to six years, with virtually everybody looking at using some aspect of LEED sustainable or green building concepts in all of their projects," said MRV Architects President Paul Voelckers, AIA, LEED-AP. "There has been a tectonic shift."

With buildings using about 40 percent of the nation's primary energy, and about 70 percent of its electricity, LEED-certified buildings make sense when looking at energy conservation. Add to that the fact that LEED-certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs and increase asset value; reduce waste sent to landfills; conserve energy and water; be healthier and safer for occupants; reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions; and qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in a number of cities, and it's not surprising that states across the nation, including Alaska, are embracing the concept.

WHAT LEED REQUIRES

According to the U.S. Green Building website, LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Certification occurs through the Green Building Certification Institute, an independent nonprofit established in 2008.

"I think the main reason that the LEED program has been successful is because it is not doctrinaire-specific; there are five broad categories, and you need to do enough right in each area to reach certain levels for certification," Voelckers said. "Each level is more difficult to achieve.

"The LEED certification also results in positive branding," he added. "A LEED-building is an exemplary building; it's a step up from other facilities."

LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally...

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