Posts Tagged 'LEED'

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Roles and Responsibilities of LEED

Published October 27, 2011 Before You Buy Your Steel Building , going green , Pre-Fabricated Building News Leave a Comment
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In any project, it is the responsibility of each member such as the owner, architect, engineer, contractor and end user who each have a responsibility in their project that will eventually receive LEED certification.  It is crucial that those who are involved in a LEED project understand their roles and responsibilities.  Recently, a project was reviewed by Thomas Taylor who was asked by a general contractor to review proposed contract language for a project which LEED certification was to be issued.

The 29 year old veteran of the construction industry, Thomas Taylor is the general manager of St. Louis-based Vertegy.  Guide to LEED 2009: Estimating and Preconstruction Strategies, his recent book  provides step-by-step information about the LEED 2009 for the New Construction process.

In reviewing a contract, he found that their was a lump sum general contract in which the contractor had no responsibility for the design of the project. The language related to LEED certification had led the reader to believe that the owner may not have been fully aware of which members of the delivery team were responsible for the various activities that are required in a LEED project.  The reason why they had thought this was because of the following statement:  Contractor shall have on staff LEED Accredited Professional who has experience in constructing LEED certified projects and shall, as requested by the owner, administer the LEED certification process using its best efforts to cooperate with architect and assist the owner to achieve the desired LEED certification for the project.

When seeing proposed contractual language such as the above, especially questions such as what is the owner’s definition of cooperation? or how much effort will it take to assist the owner in achieving the desired level of LEED certification? These questions can sometimes take a variety of different meanings. At the beginning of every project, there is usually an optimistic feeling from all the members of the team that everything regarding the project will work out as planned.  As the project moves from design to construction, budgets, value-engineering exercises are required and a lot of the times schedules are disrupted and everything from the planned project gets shifted. When faced with extreme stressors, the project can change completely.  A practical approach to avoid this is to alleviate potential problems that could arise with the use of vague terms such as cooperate and assist is to specify the exact activities required by the contractor or to provide and allowance of hours that may be extended to assist the owner with LEED- related tasks. Create a list of tasks and decide which member will take over each tasks and after allowing a certain amount of hours this will allow the member to complete the task without falling behind.  When the list is followed accordingly, this will allow your project to become successful. For more information on tips about this topic, visit: www.vertegyconsultants.com

For more info on LEED related topics, visit: www.norsteel.com

Survey Shows That Green Buildings are Great for School Infrastructure

Published October 20, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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A conceptual drawing of a future green school. Image Source: Green market.

A recent independent nationwide survey reports that 75% of Americans are willing to support the drive for green and eco-friendly construction. The survey shows that Americans support federal funding for school building improvements that will lower carbon emissions, comply with LEED certification requirements, and ultimately help save on taxes.

The survey  shows an alarming statistic: 1/3 of schools in the US are in “poor condition”, while only 6% can be deemed to be in great shape.

The study also shows that Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the need to overhaul the school infrastructure systems so that learning environments can become efficient, healthy, and conducive for learning. Most Americans no longer believe in just updating school infrastructure; they’d go as far as insist that school buildings must comply with current standards of energy efficiency.

This is certainly needs more advocacy in order to advance building process. One green school alone can reduce the country’s carbon emissions by as much 585,000 pounds annually. Aside from helping the environment, green schools are also shown to have a positive impact on students. Seventy percent of school administrators report that green schools reduce absenteeism and even improved the performance of students. Also, with less money spent on heating and cooling costs, schools can redirect their funds for teachers’ salary and other school resources. Without a doubt, investing in green schools is not a waste of time.

The government, unfortunately, thinks otherwise. In 2008, the US government chose to postpone an $254 billion-project to maintain and update school buildings. This is certainly an unacceptable move, after the US Government Accountability Office has reported that around 25,000 schools in the US are in need of replacement and repairs.

The survey was undertaken by the US Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools and United Technologies Corp.

We’ve always talked about the importance of green construction and the integral role of steel buildings.  This survey just goes to show that green construction can extend not just to office and commercial spaces but also to schools. And the result? Students that are more willing to learn, drastically reduced costs, and reduced carbon emissions. That’s a trade-off Norsteel is certainly willing to take.

LEED 2012: New Changes to the Rating System

Published September 5, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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BC Cancer Research Centre, a LEED Gold Certified Building. Image Credit: IBI Group, Peter Wilmse & Ivo Talker; Henriquez Partners.

LEED ratings have done great things for environmental awareness. The exclusive, environmentally-conscious building design protocols have helped raise public consciousness about eco-friendly design, efficiency and have inspired beautiful, eco-friendly design projects. That is not to say the system is without its critics. Some industry insiders have complained that LEED points are easy to rack up and difficult to quantify in some convoluted building processes. Another issue is the fact that in many cases, LEED certification is a result of a one-time assessment of a building’s design and construction, with little to no follow-up in the future.

An article recently published on the Fast Company website reports that the LEED system is about to undergo a bit of a transition. Going forward, LEED certification will now reflect how buildings are actually saving energy and water, and they ways they can improve.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization that administers LEED certifications, states that it wants its volunteer members to think of green buildings and LEED certification as assets rather than as items on a list. The revised system, coined LEED 2012, will debut in November, 2011, and will explore the new technologies and energy-efficient building practices that improve a structure’s overall efficiency.

Scot Horst, USGBC’s Senior VP for LEED tells Fast Company that the new system should be considered a “Zagat rating” for buildings.

Using LEED 2012, business owners can track the environmental performance of LEED-certified buildings with new apps from LEED Online. “Faster, cheaper, more automatic” is the new slogan for this new system.

Steel and LEED Buildings

Steel is an environmentally-friendly building material that is often used in LEED-certified buildings. Because it is highly recyclable and helps facilitate energy efficiency, steel makes an easy choice for environmentally-conscious builders. A large percentage of LEED buildings are comprised primarily of steel. Click here to learn more about steel’s environmentally-friendly properties.

Harvard University Receives 50th LEED Certification

Published August 9, 2011 Norsteel Buildings News 1 Comment
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Harvard University is known for forward thinking, especially where the environment is concerned.  Earlier this week the ivy league university was recognized by The Princeton Review as a leader in green innovation. Hailed as one of the “greenest” universities in North America, Harvard received a place on the 2012 Green Rating Honor Roll in addition to reaching the green innovation milestone of having produced 50 LEED certified projects.

Earlier this month the U.S. Green Building Council, in partnership with Harvard University, announced publically announced that Harvard’s campus had achieved 50 LEED certified projects. Included in these projects is more than 1.5 million square feet of usable space which includes labs, dorms, and libraries, among other things.  Even more impressive is the fact that six of the fifty projects achieved LEED Platinum certification – the highest LEED certification available under the USGBC’s LEED Rating System.

Harvard University has no plans of slowing down its eco-friendly construction.   An additional 3 million square feet of space at the university’s sprawling campus is currently under LEED-certified construction.  In total, in excess of 90 Harvard construction projects have some degree of LEED certification.

A recent press release by the U.S. Green Building Council states that “energy models suggest that the 14 LEED new construction projects have delivered more than $1.5 million in energy savings annually and a reduction of more than 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) annually, which equates to an average reduction of 34 percent below industry energy standards.”

The LEED projects have been made possible thanks to the tireless effort and support of Harvard staff, many of whom helped the University become a world-class leader in sustainable building practices. Building materials are streamlined for efficiency and highly recyclable, like steel.

 “As a university, we have a special responsibility to confront the challenges of climate change not only through academic research but by transforming the way we operate our campus,” Harvard University president David Faust told the Harvard Gazette.

Harvard Data Knowledge Center. Image Credit: Harvard University.

Click here to learn more about Harvard’s sustainable building practices.

Learning About LEED

Published June 15, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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LEED banner. Image Credit: U.S. Green Building Council.

Here at the Norsteel blog, we talk a lot about LEED buildings and LEED certification.  So what exactly is LEED anyway? And what exactly does it do? Here’s a bit of a LEED primer.  We hope you find it useful!

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2000.  It is an internationally-recognized, environmentally-friendly building certification system.

LEED buildings are constructed with a strict adherence to sustainable design codes and can be applied to commercial and residential buildings.  To date, over 9.7 billion square feet of construction space has been LEED certified in more than 120 countries. Additionally, nearly 10,000 homes have also been certified and nearly 30,000 homes have been registered under the LEED Home Rating System.

The LEED rating system is scored on a possible 100 points, as well as 6 additional points for design innovation.  There are four levels of certification, with “Certified” being the lowest and “Platinum” the highest.  A LEED “Certified” building has scored 40-49 points, while a “Platinum” building has a score of 80 points or above – at present, there are only four platinum-rated building in North America – one in Canada and three in the United States.

LEED rating systems are set and evaluated by LEED committees which are comprised of a group of volunteers from the building and construction industry.  LEED rating systems are not the same across the board.  According to the USGBC, the available LEED systems include:

  • LEED for New Construction (NC)
  • LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB: O&M)
  • LEED for Commercial Interiors (CI)
  • LEED for Core & Shell (CS)
  • LEED for Schools (SCH)
  • LEED for Retail
  • LEED for Healthcare (HC)
  • LEED for Homes
  • LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND)

Each rating system uses a different rating system specific to the type of building.  For more information on the LEED, visit USGBC.org.

Steel is a Cost Effective Building Material

Published June 7, 2011 Before You Buy Your Steel Building , Steel Building Tips 1 Comment
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Money Falling. Image Source: Public Domain Image.

Data shows that an increasing number of contractors, architects and builders are using steel in their buildings – and for a variety of reasons.  In addition to its strength, steel is a versatile and incredibly dependable material with an extremely high tolerance.  It’s also a very cost-effective material to use.  Here are a few reasons why steel is an economical building material.

Quick Construction Time

The construction time for a steel building is normally faster than that of a building constructed using other materials, lessening production costs.  In some cases, steel parts can come pre-cut to the exact specifications of the building, making them far easier, and faster to assemble.  This helps to decrease labour costs, keeping costs down.

Long-Term Investment

Steel is an incredibly durable material which is resistant to harsh weather conditions.  Unlike other building products, steel will not collect mould or rot.  The initial costs of purchasing steel material may cost more, but steel makes an excellent (and economic) long-term investment.

Efficiency

Another way steel helps to keep costs down is through energy efficiency.  Steel is excellent at insulating, meaning it will help keep a building cool in the summer and warm in the winter, at a fraction of the cost of other buildings.  For this reason, steel is often used in energy-efficient and LEED certified buildings.

Durability

Steel is one of the strongest, most resilient materials available on the market today.  In addition to its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, it is also fire resistant and some studies have demonstrated that steel buildings are more resistant to earthquakes than other buildings.

Flexibility

Steel is an incredibly flexible material that can accommodate a variety of different settings.  From offices to storage sheds to homes, steel can do it all.  Thanks to steel, a corporate head office can be housed in the same building as a factory.  Keeping all business faucets in one area can greatly reduce shipping and administrative costs.

Canadian Teleco Telus to Build $65M LEED Gold Data Center in Quebec

Published May 26, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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Telus Green Leaf. Image Credit: Telus.

It’s inspiring to see that the Canadian business sector is taking an increasing interest in environmentally-friendly building initiatives.

Canadian telecommunications giant Telus  announced earlier this week that it plans to build a $65 million Tier III data centre in Rimouski, Quebec.

The facility, which will be Telus’ first data center built with LEED gold standards in mind, will have a power usage effectiveness of 1.15.  The finished project is expected to become a flagship facility for the company, as well as “one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly purpose-built data centres of its kind in North America,” François Côté, president of Telus Québec and TELUS Health Solutions said in a press release.

This will be the second Tier III Telus data centre in Quebec.  The first one was built in Laval, Quebec, in October 2008.

The company cites Rimouski as an “ideal location” for a green building initiative, due to its “abundant source of hydroelectric power” and “moderate climate”, which will make it easy to meet low-energy requirements consistent with LEED gold standard

The project is being headed by Skanska, and will feature a modern, modular design.  Ground will be broken in the coming weeks in hopes of completing the project by 2012.

Steel is a common material in LEED buildings; a report released by the Canadian Steel Building Institute suggests that the energy efficient properties of steel, which includes its ability to heat and cool a building at low cost, the fact that it’s a highly recyclable material, and the steel’s industry’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions – the industry has demonstrated a 20% reduction in emissions since the 1990s – make steel a go-to resource for builders and companies interested in gaining valuable LEED credits.

Click here to learn more about the Telus LEED building project, and click here to learn more about the benefits of using steel as a building material.

Ottawa Convention Centre Goes Green

Published May 2, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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Ottawa Convention Centre Conceptual Drawing. Image Credit: GBA Associates.

The Ottawa Convention Centre is boasting a bold, beautiful and modern new look – complete with environmentally-friendly upgrades.

The 192,000 sq, ft. building, which is built on the site of the former Ottawa Congress Centre downtown, offers 28 beautifully-designed, fully configurable meeting spaces as well as 56,000 sq. ft. that can host 6,260 people theatre-style and 4,600 banquet-style.  Comprised largely or recycled materials and organic compounds, the facility uses special plumbing systems to regulate and reduce water consumption.

The new design makes use of natural light and provides a magnificent view of Ottawa’s Rideau Canal from its 7-storey high windows.  The decision to go “green” was made by the Board of Directors to demonstrate a commitment to “environmental performance and leadership” and to “doing what is right for the future of the planet.”

According to the Ottawa Convention Centre’s official website, the building “became Canada’s first Founding Industry Member of the International Convene Green Alliance (CGA), a grass-roots industry initiative spearheaded by several high profile associations from around the world that aspire to positive environmental practices.”

The Centre has implemented a “comprehensive waste management program” as well as innovations designed to ensure that the building provides an environmentally-friendly experience for all of its guests which are expected to number in the hundreds of thousands this year alone.

Some of the Centre’s other green initiatives include:

-       The use of recycled steel trusses salvaged from the original congress centre.

-       Building practices that are aligned with LEED Silver status requirements (which it is currently in the process of applying for).

-       Rainwater collection cisterns which are used to flush toilets and urinals.

-       A large recycling room complete with a composting site.

-       A landfill waste diversion target in excess of 90 percent.

-       Lighting systems designed to be up to 25 percent more efficient than minimum building requirements.

-       Efficient HVAC systems to regulate air distribution throughout the building.

First LEED Platinum Building in Canada

Published March 16, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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Green Building. Image Source: FM Innovations.

Earlier this month, communications giant TELUS unveiled its plans to create a Platinum-rated LEED national headquarters right in the middle of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.

TELUS has partners with Westbank Development Corp., who will be leading the project.  Henriquez Partners will be the architect in charge of designing the building.

This will be a challenging endeavor.  Although other TELUS buildings have achieved gold and silver LEED ratings, no building in Canada has achieved the prestigious U.S. Green Building Council Platinum rating.

“The fact that TELUS is choosing to build a new national headquarters in Vancouver is a great vote of confidence in our local economy,” Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a recent statement. “Their proposal to build to LEED Platinum is extremely ambitious and sends a signal that in Vancouver, going green is good for business and the environment.”

The project, called the TELUS Garden, will cost an estimated $750 million and consist of a 22-story office building and 500,000 sq. feet of office space, as well as 500 residential units.  Ten thousand sq. feet of garden space will be used to grow organic vegetables for nearby restaurants, in addition to two roof forests.  The building will also feature “media walls” that are capable of broadcasting local cultural events to the public.  The building is expected to house approximately 1,000 of the 15,000 TELUS employees in the province of British Columbia.

TELUS hopes to have the project completed by 2015.

About the LEED Platinum Rating

The LEED rating system is scored on a possible 100 points, as well as 6 additional points for design innovation.  There are four levels of certification, with “Certified” being the lowest and “Platinum” the highest.  A LEED “Certified” building has scored 40-49 points, while a “Platinum” building has a score of 80 points or above.

An application and certification fees must be submitted to the USGBC to achieve LEED certification.  Compliance with requirements must be well-documented.  The application process for new construction certification has been recently been transferred to electronic form.

LEED-Certified Parking Lots

Published March 1, 2011 going green Leave a Comment
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Santa Monica Civic Center Garage. Image Source: Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners

Most people think of office spaces, campuses and apartment buildings when they think of LEED certification.  The truth is, many other structures can receive this environmentally-friendly certification – even parking lots.

A stunning parking lot commissioned by the Santa Monica Civic Center in California was the first LEED-certified parking garage in the United States, Constructed of mostly recycled materials and finished with environmentally-sustainable paint and primers, the structure uses technology that decreases heating and cooling loads and has an energy-efficient mechanical structure.  The parking lot has a storm-drain water-treatment system designed to minimize tainted runoff from interacting with the hydrosphere.  The garage has 900 parking spaces, with 14 spaces equipped with electrical outlets for hybrid cars.  The lot also has space for bicycle storage.

Paul de Ruiter Architects in the Netherlands have also designed a parking lot with the environment in mind.  Created out of recyclable materials, the lot is designed in a way that facilitates easy dismemberment should the space ever need to be moved.

Sustainable parking lots are quickly becoming a trend, with designs popping up in Florida, San Diego and Illinois.  Duke University initiated a “Research Drive Garage Project” and partnered with Bovis Lend Lease to create a $35 million 1,900-space parking garage which took three years to complete, opening in January 2010.  Among its many green features, the lot is equipped with 10,000-gallon cisterns to collect rainwater for landscaping, LED lighting, fuel-efficient and carpool vehicles and recycled building materials.

Many industry professionals have scoffed at the notion of creating a “sustainable” parking lot, arguing that the term is an oxymoron.  Environmental-centric blog Treehugger has argued that a parking lot can never be truly “green” because it promotes car transportation which, in turn, promotes the burning of fossil fuels.  Treehugger goes on to argue that the larger problem – society’s dependence on the automobile – needs to be addressed before there can be a truly “green” parking initiative.

While Treehugger does raise excellent points, it is encouraging to see an emphasis on green building within the construction industry as a whole.  Click here to read more about “green” parking lots (and to join the debate at Treehugger).

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