"Green buildings, once dismissed as too expensive, will become almost a necessity as tenants, lenders, and even investors push for sustainability. If you aren’t at least mentioning LEED standards in new construction, there’s an increasing risk that your project may falter."
- Ernst & Young 2007 Real Estate Report

What is LEED?

LEED is an internationally recognized building standard developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. This standard has been adapted for use in many types of construction projects, from commercial to residential to educational.

LEED uses a point system to measure many aspects of new construction and renovation projects, aimed at increasing building efficiency and decreasing environmental impacts. Each category takes these factors into consideration:

LEED showcases your environmental commitment and leadership and distinguishes your space in the marketplace.

Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Air Quality
Locations and Linkages
Awareness and Education
Innovation in Design
Regional Priority

Construction projects can apply for LEED certification, and can be awarded certification at several levels depending on how many points the project has achieved.


Learn more about LEED at the USGBC website.

 

Benefits of LEED:

Environmental – protecting air quality, water quality and local ecosystems.

Economic – decreasing building operation costs, increasing asset value, and increas¬ing worker productivity.

Health and Safety Benefits – inherent health and safety features incorporated in green buildings.

Community Benefits – lessened demand for large scale infrastructures such as land¬fills, water supply, storm water sewers, utilities and transportation development and maintenance.

Benefits:

  1. Design for Cost Effectiveness
  2. Boost Employee Productivity
  3. Create Value for Tenants
  4. Increase Property Value
  5. Enhance Health and Well-Being

Energy Savings by using LEED –Occupancy Sensors for Lighting
Rest room: 70%
Meeting room: 66%
Store room: 56%
Single person office: 53%

“Investments in Green buildings pay for themselves many times over with improved health, productivity, and lowered operating and maintenance costs.”

Findings of an in-depth 2003 study conducted by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory for 40 California agencies (www.ifma.org- 10/31/3)

Increased Productivity:

Annual Operating Cost per square foot: (need a graphic representation)
Space:6%
Services and supplies:5%
Furniture and equipment:3%
Lighting:1%
People:85%

SOURCE ASID

“The economic risk no longer lies in developing sustainable buildings, but in failing to do so”
- Dyan Pfitzenmeier, Sustainable Communications Consultant

Office: Enhance occupant well-being and productivity from 6-16% (Rocky Mountain Institute)
Factories: Increased production
Retail: Increase in sales per square foot
Schools: 20% better test performance
Hospitals: 2 1/2 day earlier discharge

Improve employee retention and reduce absenteeism
Reduce liability associated with poor indoor air quality
Increase marketability
Decrease churn costs
Lower operating and maintenance costs

How Does LEED support sustainability?

Because of LEED’s international recognition and professional standard, achieving LEED certification for new offices has become a method for international businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. Once certification is achieved, businesses can use their LEED buildings as tools to attract clients and satisfy stakeholders.

LEED improves the sustainability of the business world by encouraging businesses to understand the benefits of energy and water efficiency, decreasing CO2 emissions, improving indoor office environments, and conserving resources. Businesses that decide to pursue LEED certification will pay higher initial costs, but will save much more in costs for utilities, maintenance, and repairs over the lifecycle of their LEED building.

Arc8x encourages its clients to pursue LEED certification when possible, and provides design and consulting services to support companies in their LEED applications.

How Can You Get LEED?

Visit our LEED Office (link)

If you are considering getting your home, office, or educational construction project LEED certified, the first step is to decide whether your construction should apply for LEED. You can find more information about LEED at the USGBC website, or contact Arc8x.

The next step is to register your project on the USGBC website. After registering, you will need to prepare a LEED application that includes documentation for each of the LEED points that your project aims to achieve. Once the application has been fully prepared, it will be submitted online to the USGBC for review. If all points applied for are approved, your building will receive documentation of LEED certification, with optional marketing materials, and can be listed in the US Department of Energy High Performance Buildings Database.

Become a LEED Accredited Professional


Source: USGBC