Page 59 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

36 GREEN BUILDINGS TODAY

construction costs (compared to a traditional building renovation). Blackstone
reduces energy use by 42 percent compared with a code building, in part due to
the daylight sensors, occupancy sensors and an energy-efficient elevator. Two
geothermal wells provide cooling. Dual-flush toilets, water-free urinals, and low-
flow sinks and showerheads reduce occupant water use by 43 percent (compared
to code). A bioretention pond and bioswale reduce and treat water runoff. Over
99 percent of the construction waste was reused or recycled.*

TO LEED OR LEAD?
LEED has gained prominence as the preferred certification system for larger projects
(although both may be used by developers and building owners) because it focuses on
a broader range of issues than most energy efficiency guidelines. For example, if own-
ers’ points of focus are primarily on energy use, reducing carbon dioxide emissions
(linked to global warming) and improving indoor air quality, a variety of guidelines
†
such as the proposed ASHRAE Standard 189P can take them there efficiently. These
improvements lead to reducing operating costs and improved occupant health, pro-
ductivity, and comfort. However, at this time, only LEED and ENERGY STAR have
marketplace acceptance at this point as “brand names” that indicate a high level of
performance against measurable criteria.
Both LEED and other building evaluation systems encourage an integrated design
process, in which the building designers (mechanical, electrical, civil/structural, and
lighting engineers) are brought into the design process with the architectural and interiors
teams at an early stage, often during programming and conceptual design. Integrated
design explores, for example, building orientation, massing and materials choices as
critical issues affecting energy use and indoor air quality, and attempts to influence
these decisions before the basic architectural design is fully developed.

DESIGNING HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS
What are the design and operating characteristics of today’s high-performance
buildings? They save 25 to 50 percent (or more) of conventional building energy
use by incorporating high-efficiency systems and conservation measures in the
basic building envelope, HVAC plant, and lighting systems. These systems and
efficiency measures can include extra insulation, high-quality glazing, and solar
control measures; ENERGY STAR-rated appliances such as copiers, computer

*“Harvard Green Campus Initiative: High Performance Building Resource,” May 2006, pp 1-8. Consigli
Construction Co., Inc. “Web Exclusive: 19th Century Platinum,” Environmental Design & Construction,
December 3, 2007 [online], http://www.edcmag.com/CDA/Articles/Web_Exclusive/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_
10000000000000214697, accessed April 2008. Bruner/Cott [online], http://www.brunercott.com/ library/
hublackstone/blackstone.htm, accessed April 2008.
† Standard 189P “will provide minimum requirements for the design of sustainable buildings.” See
www.ashrae.org/pressroom/detail/13571, accessed July 31, 2008.