Page 351 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

CHAPTER 8

A Systematic View of Green

and Minimum Program

Requirements

Minimum Program Requirements
In version 3.0 of LEED (LEED-NC 2009), a series of Minimum Program Requirements
(MPRs) was established by the USGBC in order to apply for registration of a project.
When released in April 2009, there were eight MPRs, but one was removed in the listing
and there are now seven. They are all shown in Table 8.0.0 with a summary of many of
their important features. Although the requirements for reasonable timetables and rating
system sunset dates are no longer listed as an MPR, some of these requirements might
still be part of the registration documents.

8.1 Green Building from the Project Viewpoint

How to Get Started
The trick to getting started is to meet, then meet again, and then meet again. Integrated
building design is the cornerstone for creating sustainable projects. If the systems and
components that make up the facility are only looked at independently, then the result
usually will not be optimal for performance, sustainability, and cost. It is important that
all aspects of the project be viewed as interrelated.
Initial meetings with all the project team members who have already been identified are
crucial to the success of the project. At these initial meetings, basic project scopes and
requirements are reviewed. With respect to the incorporation of green concepts in the project,
it is beneficial to start reviewing the prerequisites and credit opportunities of the LEED rating
system. Project members should be asked to start identifying the necessary steps and design
features needed to meet all the prerequisites. They should also be asked to review the list of
possible credits and start identifying credits that may or may not be feasible to incorporate
into the design while maintaining the project scope and objectives.
Many large projects hold early formal meetings commonly referred to as charrettes. Invited
participants are the owner, stakeholders, identified project team member representatives, and
other potential participants in the design and construction community, in addition to public

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