This LEED Tastes Like Crow

As mentioned in our last blog post, we recently conducted a study of a portfolio of our projects pertaining to LEED and energy performance. After analyzing energy consumption and cost over 20 buildings of similar size, type, and region over a wide range of year built and LEED status components we found some interesting results. This blog will cover one area of our findings, LEED vs LEED light. I have not always been a big proponent of LEED due to the increases costs, point system and paperwork. But after my study on our projects performance I have to change my opinion as upon reviewing the data and talking with facility managers it became clear that making a true commitment to LEED increased performance versus projects that did not commit to LEED. We liken the results of someone training to run a 6 minute mile versus running fast. Per

LEED is Half the Battle

We recently conducted a study on a portfolio of our projects pertaining to LEED and energy performance. After analyzing energy consumption and cost over 20 buildings of similar size, type, and region over a wide range of year built and LEED status components we found some interesting results. This blog will cover one area of our findings, the human component. When we finished one of our first buildings designed to LEED standards we, of course, went through owner training. When the training started the first comment from the facility manager was “oh no, a computer”, not good. We had given the client a relatively sophisticated system but nothing out of the ordinary for a modern building, the problem was the manager hadn’t worked in a modern facility. Training took place but it wasn’t long before the person was demoted and a new manager with the needed experience was

Bad Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Ideas

The LEED scorecard is a tool pretty much standard on projects in the United States and seeing immense growth overseas. But like any tool it’s not perfect and we thought we would share a couple of situation where LEED may lead you to an improper design solution. Raised floor mechanical system in a Detention Center. Showers in grade school facility. (Sure they may have a lot more bike riders but isn’t it more sustainable not to shower anyway?) Additional Bike Racks at a Senior Center. Dual flush in the men’s toilet stall (you may have to ponder this one for a minute) White roofs in Alaska. Solotubes in a movie theater As professionals I’m sure errors of this magnitude wouldn’t be encountered but the point is think about how to approach your project for what is right for you and your client, not the guideline. What other LEED

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