Page 148 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

124 COSTS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

I would say that we’re seeing an increasing number of projects now that have less
sophisticated teams; with project types like really fast design-builds (development-type
projects) these teams are having trouble with this notion because for them it’s changing
the way they work. With those projects where the clients are tough about fees during
design, it’s more difficult for the design teams to make a [process] change and actually
spend more time during design in order to get a better result [during construction]. I’ve
seen more commitment [to integrated design], but it’s commitment that struggles with
the notion [on the owner’s part] that they have to pay more to get this.

LEED CERTIFICATION LEVEL
Level of LEED certification sought is clearly an issue. As you move to higher levels
of LEED certification, even with an integrated design process, you are likely to add
higher cost elements such as green roofs, photovoltaics, and certified wood products.
You are also likely to want a larger number of studies in the design phase, including
natural ventilation analyses, computational fluid dynamic studies, more frequent
energy modeling, and the like. In some cases, nonetheless, we have examples of LEED
Platinum being accomplished for zero or low cost premium, considering both design
and construction costs, because teams find ways to cut capital costs by “right sizing”
equipment, for example. (Read Leith Sharp’s Foreword, for one such example.) For
argument’s sake, Table 7.1 presents estimates I have found for LEED project costs,
including both design and construction. You can find studies with both higher and
lower estimates, so please use these numbers only as a rough guide. The cost increases
do not factor in the increased benefits, a subject tackled in Chap. 8.

TEAM STRUCTURE
One would expect that the more consultants there are on a team, the higher the design
costs, since coordination will be an issue, as will the need to pay for expertise. Large
numbers of consultants are typical on more complex projects such as performing arts
centers, laboratories, and similarly complex buildings. Where an architect has an engi-
neering function in house or where there are fewer consultants, there’s an opportunity
to save on design costs. However, a key element in team structure is the role of the

TABLE 7.1 RANGES OF LEED PROJECT COST PREMIUMS 2008
(AUTHOR’S ESTIMATES)
LEVEL OF LEED CERTIFICATION OVERALL COST PREMIUM
Basic certified 0% to 2%
Silver 1% to 4%
Gold 2% to 5%
Platinum 2% to 10%