Page 250 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

226 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE

recaptures enough heat to provide 100 percent of the occupants’ hot water
demand. The Verdesian was designed to be 40 percent more energy efficient than
a standard building. A nearby sewage treatment plant purifies wastewater for toi-
let and cooling tower use. Up to 10,000 gallons of rainwater can be harvested and
used to irrigate the green roof garden. Three roof heliostats capture and redirect
sunlight to a park below.*

QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING THIS PHASE
Let’s consider now some typical questions that need to be asked at the construction
documents phase for any high-performance/LEED project.

ENERGY ISSUES
Wherein this phase we need to get very specific about energy-using systems and com-
ponents, as well as building commissioning.

1 What is the final level of energy efficiency we are planning to achieve? Is it possi-
ble to increase that level with more efficient equipment choices, without changing
the overall design concept or appearance?
2 Has the commissioning authority clearly reviewed all systems documents and do
we have a clear idea of the owner’s project requirements (OPR) and the basis of
design (BOD), as called for in the LEED building commissioning process?
3 Have we designed a measurement and verification plan and physical systems for the
building consistent with Option B or Option D the U.S. Department of Energy’s
International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP, 2003
edition) for active mechanical and electrical systems? If we are going to collect data
on the energy efficiency of major building systems and components, who is going
to be in charge of analyzing data?
4 Does the building glazing provide for alternative thermal and sunlight characteris-
tics on each orientation? Are the façades designed so that they can be upgraded
over time as fashions or conditions change? For example, can we add dynamic
external or internal shades and shutters at some time in the future, if today’s budget
won’t allow it?
5 Will the plumbing and wiring of the building allow for future environmental tech-
nologies as well as general changes in technology to be easily incorporated?
6 Did we provide for LEED-required basic and advanced commissioning support
from the mechanical, electrical, and controls contractors in the specifications?

*Horizon Engineering Associates [online], http://www.horizon-engineering.com/hea_site/portfolio/residential/
verdesian/verdesian.html, accessed April 2008. Meredith Taylor, “The First LEED Platinum Residential High-
Rise: Batter Park City’s Verdesian,” Green Buildings NYC, January 17, 2008 [online], http://www.greenbuild-
ingsnyc.com/2008/01/17/the-first-leed-platinum-residential-high-rise-battery-park-citys-verdesian/, accessed
April 2008.