LEED PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Transcription

1 16902 BOLSA CHICA STREET, SUITE 101 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA TELEPHONE (714) FACSIMILE (714) LEED PRESENTATION OUTLINE I. Overview of Green Building and Risks Involved with Sustainability The purpose of the presentation is to discuss the meaning of green building among the design profession and construction industry, benefits related to high-performance green buildings, the principal mechanisms behind those benefits, the certification process, and potential risks associated with certification. II. Sustainable Design and Impact on the Construction Industry The purpose of this section is to identify the purpose of sustainable design and discuss how the implementation of sustainable design will have an effect on designers, consultants, builders and contractors. A. What is the Purpose of Sustainable Design? 1. To significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and on the occupants. 2. Green building design and construction practices address: Sustainable site planning Safeguarding water and water efficiency Conservation of materials and resources Indoor environmental quality B. Impact on the Construction Industry and Risk of Potential Litigation 1. Sustainable design requires detailed communication, product evaluation and expansion of the builder s and architects roles. Failure to address these issues will result in litigation: a. Importance of Communication Need to define the owners and/ or users: potential market buyer, individual, corporation, public, etc. Determine and understand the owner s sustainability objectives. Establish performance criteria and decide intent to obtain a certification rating Collaboration with a green consultant General commercial liability policy may not cover claims Marketing use of misleading environmental claims Page 1 of 6

2 b. Risks of New Materials/ Systems A product manufacturer s marketing claim might be misleading Risk involved with use of green materials (i.e. low VOC levels of one material can cause secondary emissions or problems that occur when innovative insulating materials (newspaper insulation) come in contact with moisture) Compatibility risk: New green products might not be compatible with traditional products when placed together or substituted Lack of experience with new materials or systems New systems or materials are not time proven c. Architects expanded role Additional coordination with system controls consultants Deal with lack of standards or uniform regulations govern green building construction Must adhere to ANSI standards or industry standards Building professionals lack expertise needed to construct green or energy efficient buildings Use of new products may require additional approval processing from local jurisdictions Assist the owner in preparation of documentation for obtaining rebates & tax incentives Building professionals lack expertise needed to design green or energy efficient buildings Plans and specifications lacking materials and control system details d. Builders/ contractors expanded role Performance based specifications and builder s plans will need more detail Potential construction delays and sequencing conflicts to address green materials conflicts Value engineering and costs issues related to green materials, equipment and features: knowledge of the best value and performance for the budget Limited sources available to recycle construction scrap materials Need to address green building materials and systems in detail in contractors scope of work Must deal with of standard regulations during construction phase Builder must provide oversight of green construction methods Failure of builder to limit warranties Building professionals lack expertise needed to construct green or energy efficient buildings Page 2 of 6

3 III. Benefits Related to High Performance Green Buildings and the Mechanisms that Perpetuate these Benefits The purpose of this section is to identify the environmental, health, and economic impacts of a building and identify what methods green design uses to correct these negative attributes. The negative issues that impact a building are what is being addressed and corrected in sustainable buildings. Section V will show how in addressing the negative aspect of buildings, green design carries risks. 1. Environmental, Health and Economic Impacts of a Building a. Commercial, institutional and residential buildings currently account for approximately: 40% of global consumption of raw materials 37% of primary U.S. energy consumption 68% of U.S. electricity consumption 12% of U.S. potable water consumption 136 million tons of construction and demolition debris annually about 40% of the total U.S. solid waste stream 35% of U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions (a principal of greenhouse gas) b. Undesirable Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is a principal complaint of building occupants. Green building improves IEQ Poor indoor air quality Inconsistent and/ or lacking thermal comfort Ineffective or problematic lighting (electric and daylighting) Lack of daylight or connection to nature or outdoor environment Excessive building systems noise and insufficient acoustic damping in open plan work spaces Insufficient control of lighting, heating, cooling and fresh air b. Effective design for high performance buildings adds benefits of greater value than the costs it introduces, and may reduce first costs as the building is used 2. Mechanisms that Promote Green Building Site planning Water management Energy management Material use Indoor environment & air quality Innovation & design process IV. The Certification Process The purpose of this section is to identify and describe the two leading rating systems and to identify potential problems associated with the rating system. Recognized third party performance Page 3 of 6

4 verification guidelines are in use (voluntary or mandated) to certify the level of sustainability for a project 1. State of California LEED certified buildings: The Green Building Order directs that future construction and renovation projects larger than 10,000 square feet meet LEED New Construction Silver criteria 2. Two leading rating systems a. LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Endorsed by USGBC United States Green Building Counsel Platinum Gold Silver Certified b. NGBS National Green Building Standard Green residential construction endorsed by NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) and approved 1/2009 by ANSI Bronze Silver Gold Emerald 3. Problems associated with rating Unrealistic expectations regarding increased indoor environmental quality Unrealistic expectations regarding cost Problems achieving the level of certification V. Risks Associated with Green Certification The purpose of this section is to show that although through the certification process problems associated with buildings can be addressed, there are certain risks that are involved. This section will identify photos of a group of buildings which list their potential benefits and potential risks/ disadvantages 1. Earth House - Switzerland Reduces heat island effect Reduces sound transmission of exterior noise Increases thermal mass, acts as a thermal barrier, retains and delays heat gain or loss Reduces or delays storm runoff Added landscape helps absorb carbon dioxide emissions and pollutants Increased life expectancy of roof membrane system in comparison to a typical built up roof Structural load impact, dead load and live load impact on structure Page 4 of 6

5 Modifications to existing buildings for code compliance Potential brush fire hazard from dry vegetation Occupant protection from electrical lines, equipment Difficulty to trace leak sources HVAC intake louver may pull in excess pollen or irrigation moisture Fertilizer chemical incompatible with roof waterproof membrane Construction sequencing of additional trades working on roof Maintenance of roof penetrations Drain maintenance 2. Solar building Umbrella House Reduces power grid consumption Reduces power plant pollution Reduces energy bills Roof attachment penetration and interface with roof, protection from leaks and damage to roof surface Impede roof maintenance Increased cost for roof repair or replacement Construction sequencing of additional trades working on roof 3. Phipps Conservatory - Pennsylvania Glass provides daylighting State of the art control systems for ventilation Low or no VOC paints, adhesives and interior finishes High efficiency HVAC and heating systems Earth sheltered Maintenance of caulking at glazing panels, breakdown of caulking over time Failure of moveable glazing panels used for ventilation Ventilation and/ or HVAC systems are not time proven Earth sheltered areas potential for leakage at penetrations, structural loading, and maintenance of drainage Potential risk with combining low VOC products with traditional products 4. Fore Street Building - London Green rooftops lower greenhouse emissions State of the art control systems for ventilation Page 5 of 6

6 Potential leakage at vegetated areas Increase cost of roof maintenance and repair Failure of moveable glazing panels used for ventilation HVAC and control systems unproven by test of time Page 6 of 6