Sustainable Design, Construction and Operational Approach
Sustainable building integrates building materials and methods that promote environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefit through the design, construction and operation of the built environment. Sustainable design, construction and operations merges sound, environmentally responsible practices into one discipline that looks at the environmental, economic and social effects of a building or built project as a whole. These sustainable aspects of the development process encompass the following broad topics: efficient management of energy and water resources, management of material resources and waste, protection of environmental quality, protection of health and indoor environmental quality, reinforcement of natural systems, and integrating the design approach. For best results, sustainability should be clearly articulated as a guiding principle for project development, and incorporated into the project from the earliest stages. Sustainable design principles affect all phases of project development, from design, construction, operations and maintenance, and demolition and disposal. At a minimum the project shall contain these fundamental achievements:
The approach to design integration for meeting objectives outlined in the project approach to Sustainable Design, Construction and Operations
Sustainability should be integrated into all phases of the design process, using an approach which balances social, economic, and environmental factors. Sustainability should be incorporated into the earliest design discussions with a sustainable design charrette to kick-off the project to insure that all design and construction team members are familiar with sustainability concepts and basic sustainable building practice. The charrette can be utilized as a group process to define and refine sustainable goals and priorities to aid in the design optimization process. Throughout the sustainable design process, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams should explore opportunities to design interactively and serve multiple functions with individual design elements.
The approach to Life Cycle Cost Analysis for optimization of design features
This portion of design analysis should entail an inclusive approach to costing that encompasses planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance costs and finally any decommissioning or disassembly costs. Life Cycle Cost Analysis assesses issues, options, and tradeoffs related over the projected useful life of a project and looks at the net present value of design options as investments. The goal is to achieve the highest environmental performance possible at the least cost. In addition, the design team should conduct facility performance modeling in order to investigate the interrelationships of economic and environmental performance of various facility systems. Performance modeling should define the boundaries of differing design scenarios to investigate trade-offs and optimize performance.
Identify the rating which the facility will obtain utilizing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System™
LEED™ stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven green building rating system. It is based on existing, proven technology and evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective. LEED™ is a self-certifying system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential buildings. It contains prerequisites and credits in five categories: Sustainable Site Planning, Improving Energy Efficiency, Conserving Materials and Resources, Embracing Indoor Environmental Quality, and Safeguarding Water. There are four rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
The approach to protection of water resources
Water conserving methods should be considered in all aspects of the facility design, including indoor and outdoor water use. Designers should develop water budgets for the facility, and consider innovative water technologies. Potable water use should be minimized within the facility by appropriately sizing systems and using water efficient technologies and cascading water use systems. Alternative systems which harvest on-site flows should be considered. Site water flows should be maintained by minimizing erosion, encouraging infiltration, and utilizing innovative stormwater management techniques. Water quality should be protected by avoiding the use of toxic materials on the site during development and for future maintenance. Low impact landscaping and future Integrated Pest Management strategies should be implemented in order to protect water quality.
The approach to minimization of power usage during all project phases
Energy efficiency methods should be considered in all aspects of the facility design, including HVAC/Lighting needs. Energy efficiency strategies should maximize solar access and aim to harvest natural on-site energy resources such as daylight and geothermal heat. Alternative energy sources, such as fuel cells and alternative fuel generations, should be considered. Building energy usage should reduce electricity consumption, eliminate unnecessary demand, and emphasize equipment efficiency and energy efficient control strategies.
The approach to management of material resources, including minimization of construction waste
The facility should be designed for adaptability and minimize material use with efficient planning and design detailing, engineered materials, and modular design. Design should be low maintenance and specify durable materials. Crime and graffiti prevention should be considered. Sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact as well as re-used, salvaged materials and recycled content materials should be used. In addition, use materials with minimal packaging waste that is recyclable, and materials that are easily recycled once their useful life has ended. Waste reduction and recycling should be encouraged by recycling construction demolition and waste with a jobsite management plan, and with provision of easy access recycling stations and pick-up areas.
The approach to protection of indoor and outdoor environmental quality, and minimization of chemical usage during all project phases
The design of the facility should aim to reduce pollutant sources in both interior and exterior environments. For interior spaces, this affects the design of mechanical systems and the choice of interior materials, finishes, and adhesives. Ozone depleting chemicals in mechanical equipment and insulation should be avoided. The health of building occupants and construction workers/installers/maintenance staff should be protected. In addition, environmental protection of the site should be considered, including habitat protection and environmental restoration. Environmental disturbance should be minimized during the construction process.
The approach to regional design suitability
The facility design should respond to local climatic and ecological context by incorporating solar patterns, wind patterns, hydrology and geology into design features. A regional design palette should be used for both plants and other materials. The site should be developed using ecological design principles to mimic natural systems function. Benefits of vegetation should be maximized.
Return to LEED Administration Services page
The approach to design integration for meeting objectives outlined in the project approach to Sustainable Design, Construction and Operations
Sustainability should be integrated into all phases of the design process, using an approach which balances social, economic, and environmental factors. Sustainability should be incorporated into the earliest design discussions with a sustainable design charrette to kick-off the project to insure that all design and construction team members are familiar with sustainability concepts and basic sustainable building practice. The charrette can be utilized as a group process to define and refine sustainable goals and priorities to aid in the design optimization process. Throughout the sustainable design process, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams should explore opportunities to design interactively and serve multiple functions with individual design elements.
The approach to Life Cycle Cost Analysis for optimization of design features
This portion of design analysis should entail an inclusive approach to costing that encompasses planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance costs and finally any decommissioning or disassembly costs. Life Cycle Cost Analysis assesses issues, options, and tradeoffs related over the projected useful life of a project and looks at the net present value of design options as investments. The goal is to achieve the highest environmental performance possible at the least cost. In addition, the design team should conduct facility performance modeling in order to investigate the interrelationships of economic and environmental performance of various facility systems. Performance modeling should define the boundaries of differing design scenarios to investigate trade-offs and optimize performance.
Identify the rating which the facility will obtain utilizing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System™
LEED™ stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven green building rating system. It is based on existing, proven technology and evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective. LEED™ is a self-certifying system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential buildings. It contains prerequisites and credits in five categories: Sustainable Site Planning, Improving Energy Efficiency, Conserving Materials and Resources, Embracing Indoor Environmental Quality, and Safeguarding Water. There are four rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
The approach to protection of water resources
Water conserving methods should be considered in all aspects of the facility design, including indoor and outdoor water use. Designers should develop water budgets for the facility, and consider innovative water technologies. Potable water use should be minimized within the facility by appropriately sizing systems and using water efficient technologies and cascading water use systems. Alternative systems which harvest on-site flows should be considered. Site water flows should be maintained by minimizing erosion, encouraging infiltration, and utilizing innovative stormwater management techniques. Water quality should be protected by avoiding the use of toxic materials on the site during development and for future maintenance. Low impact landscaping and future Integrated Pest Management strategies should be implemented in order to protect water quality.
The approach to minimization of power usage during all project phases
Energy efficiency methods should be considered in all aspects of the facility design, including HVAC/Lighting needs. Energy efficiency strategies should maximize solar access and aim to harvest natural on-site energy resources such as daylight and geothermal heat. Alternative energy sources, such as fuel cells and alternative fuel generations, should be considered. Building energy usage should reduce electricity consumption, eliminate unnecessary demand, and emphasize equipment efficiency and energy efficient control strategies.
The approach to management of material resources, including minimization of construction waste
The facility should be designed for adaptability and minimize material use with efficient planning and design detailing, engineered materials, and modular design. Design should be low maintenance and specify durable materials. Crime and graffiti prevention should be considered. Sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact as well as re-used, salvaged materials and recycled content materials should be used. In addition, use materials with minimal packaging waste that is recyclable, and materials that are easily recycled once their useful life has ended. Waste reduction and recycling should be encouraged by recycling construction demolition and waste with a jobsite management plan, and with provision of easy access recycling stations and pick-up areas.
The approach to protection of indoor and outdoor environmental quality, and minimization of chemical usage during all project phases
The design of the facility should aim to reduce pollutant sources in both interior and exterior environments. For interior spaces, this affects the design of mechanical systems and the choice of interior materials, finishes, and adhesives. Ozone depleting chemicals in mechanical equipment and insulation should be avoided. The health of building occupants and construction workers/installers/maintenance staff should be protected. In addition, environmental protection of the site should be considered, including habitat protection and environmental restoration. Environmental disturbance should be minimized during the construction process.
The approach to regional design suitability
The facility design should respond to local climatic and ecological context by incorporating solar patterns, wind patterns, hydrology and geology into design features. A regional design palette should be used for both plants and other materials. The site should be developed using ecological design principles to mimic natural systems function. Benefits of vegetation should be maximized.
Return to LEED Administration Services page