The World of Green Building: Transforming Our Built Environment: The World of Green Building: Transforming Our Built Environment Ann J. Olsen PhD Studies, Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies (VCEMS) February 21, 2007


Slide2: What is Green Building? Why Does it Matter? U.S. Green Building Council & LEED Rating System Benefits & Costs Other Green Building Initiatives


What is Green Building?: What is Green Building? It’s not about the color … It’s about how it performs, and not just environmentally.


Buildings are Green-er when they…: Buildings are Green-er when they… Use less energy … or generate their own Use less water … or harvest their own Use fewer virgin and non-renewable resources Use local materials Protect or improve the surrounding natural environment Enhance occupant and community health, well being, and productivity


The Environmental Case in Brief*: The Environmental Case in Brief* In the US, buildings account for: 39% of total energy use/70% of electricity consumption 30% of greenhouse gas emissions 30% of raw materials use 30% of waste output/136 million tons annually 12% of potable water consumption Construction represents 20% of the U.S. economy * U.S. Green Building Council


USGBC: The U.S. Green Building Council: USGBC: The U.S. Green Building Council Leading a national consensus for producing a new generation of buildings that deliver high performance inside and out: environmentally responsible profitable healthy places to live and work Consensus based, multi-stakeholder NGO, founded 1993 Washington DC office & staff Annual Greenbuild Conference: >13,000 attendees in 2006 Member/Founder of WorldGBC


USGBC Membership: USGBC Membership 7500+* organizations in these categories: Contractors & Builders Corporate & Retail Educational Institutions (K-12 School Systems, Universities & Research Institutes) Federal Government (& Government Owned, Contractor Operated Labs) Insurance Companies/Financial Institutions Nonprofit and Environmental Organizations Building Owners, Managers, Users and Brokers Product Manufacturers, Building Controls, Service Contractors, & Distributors Professional Firms (Accountants, Architects, Attorneys, Commissioning Providers, Consultants, Engineers, Interior Designers, Landscape Designers, Planners, Press) Professional Societies & Trade Associations Real Estate/Real Estate Service Providers (Building Owners, Facility Managers, Developers, Brokers, Property Managers, Appraisers) State & Local Governments Utility/Energy Service Companies *vs. 3000+ (Sept 2004), 5500+ (Sept 2005); 10-fold increase since 2000


USGBC Chapters: USGBC Chapters


LEED Green Building Rating System™ : LEED Green Building Rating System™ LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design First product: LEED-NC pilot projects certified just 6 years ago Current rating systems: LEED-NC: New construction and major renovation (now Version 2.2) LEED-EB: Existing building operations LEED-CS: Core and shell projects LEED-CI: Commercial interiors LEED-H: Homes, now in Pilot Application Guides for Retail, Multiple Buildings/Campus Projects LEED Accredited Professionals: >35,000 Used as is in some other countries and adapted by others


LEED Green Building Rating System™ : LEED Green Building Rating System™ In the works: LEED 3.0 LEED-ND: Neighborhood development Application Guides for Health Care, Laboratories, Schools (K-12)


Certification under LEED-NC: Certification under LEED-NC Document prerequisites & points for the facility in 6 categories: Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation & Design Process Certification level depends on number of points earned: Certified: 26-32 points Silver: 33-38 points Gold: 39-51 points Platinum: 52-69 points


Certification under LEED-Homes Pilot Rating System: Certification under LEED-Homes Pilot Rating System Document mandatory features and points for the home in 8 categories: Location & Linkages Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Indoor Environmental Quality Materials & Resources Energy & Atmosphere Homeowner Awareness Innovation & Design Process Certification levels: Certified: 30-49 points Silver: 50-69 points Gold: 70-89 points Platinum: 90-108 points


Who’s Using LEED? Industry: Who’s Using LEED? Industry Toyota, Honda, Ford Toyota Motor Sales South Campus, Torrance CA, largest LEED Gold facility when certified


Who’s Using LEED? Financial Services : Who’s Using LEED? Financial Services PNC Financial Services Group, Fireside Center, Pittsburgh (2000) Bank of America & the Durst Organization in NYC Announce: $1 Billion Project in Midtown Manhattan Will Result In the World's Most Environmentally Responsible High-Rise Office Building


Who’s Using LEED? Universities: Who’s Using LEED? Universities Donald Bren School at UCSB … Platinum under LEED 1.0 Emory University – many facilities, NC and EB Vanderbilt – Residences and Dining Center in the Commons


Who’s Using LEED? Multi-Unit Residential: Who’s Using LEED? Multi-Unit Residential The Solaire, New York Completed Aug 2003 LEED-NC Gold Terrazzo, Nashville LEED-CS Silver


Who’s Using LEED? Government: Who’s Using LEED? Government US General Services Administration for new Federal Buildings: a big driver Many local & state governments have adopted LEED or similar approach for public buildings Incentives for use of LEED for private buildings City of Atlanta: LEED-based Nashville – ordinance just introduced


High Performance Building: Benefits: High Performance Building: Benefits Bottom line for owner and/or tenant Improve Occupant Productivity Improve Occupant Health Reduce Operating Costs Positive Stakeholder Recognition Improve Resale/Occupancy Attract Employees Community Use Existing Infrastructure Preserve Green Space


High Performance Building: Benefits: High Performance Building: Benefits Environmental Enhance/protect ecosystems and biodiversity Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Improve air & water quality Reduce solid waste Conserve natural resources/promote use of renewable resources


High Performance Building: Costs: High Performance Building: Costs May have 1st cost increase, especially if Seek very high level of certification Green is an afterthought Learning curve Risks: using new materials, systems, processes Certification fees, documentation


Other Programs: Other Programs Residential International


EarthCraft : EarthCraft One of many local/regional green homes programs Certification system developed by Southface and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Southface is also a LEED for Homes provider for GA, AL, SC, VA Earthcraft at the table in developing LEED for Homes Guidelines & certification worksheets available for multiple climates in the Southeastern US major renovations as well as new homes multifamily Utilized by the Building Outside the Box program here in Middle Tennessee


More: More National Association of Home Builders: Model Green Home Building Guidelines EnergyStar Qualified New Homes


International: International BREEAM UNEP WGBC


Learn More:: Learn More: www.usgbc.org www.breeam.org.uk www.worldgbc.org www.architecture2030.org www.energystar.gov www.southface.org www.earthcrafthouse.org www.nahb.org