Green building council set to modify LEED standards - Charlotte Business Journal:

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More than 1,500 buildings have receivedc LEED certification since the program was introduced in and morethan 11,000 are seeking it. In those eigh t years, the USGBC has changed the way architects, contractorxs and developers design and construct Even structuresthat don’t pursuwe LEED certification are increasingly incorporating sustainablee practices. Such steps include increased energy daylighting, recycling materials, non-polluting carpet and paint, and low-flows water fixtures and toilets.
“The USGBC’ws mission is to transform the marketplace, and we’ve seen a tremendousd amount of success in a short saysAnne Jackson, an associate at architecture firm and foundingf chair of the Charlotte USGBCC chapter. LEED certifications are available ineighf categories: new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and retail, schools, health care and homes. Anothe category, for neighborhood is in the pilot stage. LEED promotes a whole-buildinyg approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in fivekey areas: sustainable site water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoord environmental quality.
Points are awarded for specifi c practices in each area and are verifie by an independentthird party. Depending on the numbedr of points earned, a building is awarded a silver, gold or platinum ranking. LEED 2009 will reorganize the commercial rating systems by aligning and updating them into onesystek that’s “simpler and more elegant and committedx to continuous improvement,” says USGBC spokeswoman Ashley Katz.
Point s will be allocated differentlyand reweighed, and the entire process will be flexibles to adapt to changing technology, account for regional differences and encourage “These changes — givingy LEED an umbrella rating systen — will streamline the process and make it less especially for nonpractitioners,” Jackson says. Jim Williams, nationap director of design for Charlotte-based architectur e firm , says the new versiob is indicative ofthe USGBC’s “It sees it has a clea responsibility to stay in front of the issues. They are doinhg a good job of making the process and it is evolving in apositivre way.
” The certification process has been criticized for being too rigid, cumbersomse and demanding, for being too and for awarding pointa illogically. A common example is that installinbg a bike rack gets one as does installing a costlyHVAC system. Fees are based on the size of the projectg and are assessed for design review and construction Jackson says the fees are not significant and dismisse theother complaints. “There are a numbert of ways you can achieve and it’s only hard to achieve if your mindsegt is traditional construction,” she says.
“One of its strengths is its Still, either because they are uncomfortable with the procesds orits costs, some builders and developersz incorporate green features and sustainable practice in their projects but do not seek LEED certification. But, notea Jackson, “without third-party there is no proof for what they’ve Verification does make a differenceto people.” Williames agrees. “LEED certification legitimizesa building’s practices and gives it he says. “You can say your building is but comparedto what? You can’t go into being gree n halfheartedly. To be effective, you have to addressz issues at thehighest levels.
” Still, he adds, “Every little bit helps.” But LEED is not uniformly Chris Daly, industrial partner at , says certification is betted suited for office buildings than warehouses. For it’s difficult for a warehouse to be built with no more than half the site considereed impervious to meetLEED requirements. The program also reward a building for being withina half-mile of a light-rail but Daly says “lighrt rail is built where there’as high density, and you won’t find a warehouse in that kind of Instead, he suggests an industrial structure be rewarded for beingt close to an interstate to reduce truck Daly, who has earned LEED-accredited professional says he is talking with the USGBvC about developing new criteria for industrial buildings.
“Everyone wants to do the right thing as long asthey don’rt lose money by being good,” he