The notion of sustainable construction as “those materials and methods used to upgrade, construct, and maintain a structure that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” has been percolating through society for some time now. Conscientious and thoughtful architects, engineers, and constructors have been sporadically applying these sustainable or “green” principles for years but only fairly recently has it approached the status of a religion. By religion here we mean, unknown to some, not practiced by many, and devoutly followed by few.

KEEPING THE “GREEN” SCORE
The turn-around for green practices came as a result of the strong promotion of the LEED scoring system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” program gave commercial design/builders a playing field upon which they could compete for points that ultimately recognized their commitment and ability to create a resource-conservative environment. While initially a rigid scoring system aimed at commercial building, the LEED concept has expanded to a variety of construction types and the formerly rigid application of program guidelines has relaxed in a manner that stimulates application of creativity on thepart of arcitects, engineers, and constructors alike.

The USGBC scoreboard tracks the award of points in six construction areas. There are prerequisites in some of these areas that must be met to even play the game. Once the basics are addressed, points can be accrued in the following areas: sustainable sites dealing with construction site usage, including redevelopment; water efficiency addressing reduction in water usage and waste water technology; energy and atmosphere where issues such as the efficient use of energy, global warming, and renewable energy use are addressed; materials and resources where efforts in the area of construction waste management and resource recycling are assessed; indoor environmental quality including ventilation effectiveness and controllability of systems; and innovation and design processes wherein sustainable issues not already covered by the other areas can be introducedand, if found worthy of merit, can garner points.

Clemson University, a land-grant university in the northwest corner of South Carolina, and striving for recognition as a “top 20” public university, has taken a leadership position in sustainability in the southeast. Clemson has stated that all new projects would seek and achieve LEED certification. The Clemson Advanced Material Research Laboratory (AMRL; Figure 1) sought LEED “Gold” with a proposal that identified 40 points that could be earned.

Figure 1. The Advanced Materials Research
Laboratory in the Clemson University Research
Park carries a silver LEED certification, the first
awarded to a public building in South
Carolina.

WINNING CERTIFICATION
Scoring is done by the USGBC based on comparing the proposed building to a “standard” building created in accordance with local codes and practice. Application for certification is made prior to design and awards are made only after the building is complete with the sustainable features in place. This is not only a design exercise but a construction, commissioning, and operational exercise as well. The total project is judged. As mentioned earlier, there are a number of prerequisites that must be met. Once these are met, a total of 69 points can be earned in the areas described above. A platinum rating is awarded if more than 52 points are earned. Goldrequires 39–51 points, silver requires 33–38 points, and “certification” requires26–32 points.

The AMRL proposal identified 40 points that could be earned, hence a goal of “gold.” Whenthe dust settled at the end of the project, a total of 33 points were in factawarded (See Figures 2–5) and the Clemson team came away with a silvercertification; this was the first public building in the state of South Carolinato be so recognized.

Points were earned by completing a series of templates provided by USGBC. In addition to overview information, the templates called for a narrative that describes in detail the approach to be taken in earning points. The narrative is to be supported by data and calculations as appropriate to the points being sought. The judges evaluate the submission and make a determination as to whether or not the case has been effectively made to warrant awarding a point. Final awarding of some points may be held up until the end of the project to insure that the details of the narrative have been incorporated into the project.

GREEN ON A BUDGET
Several issues have to be addressed and overcome in seeking LEED certification. There exists a notion that being “green” means spending “green.” Certainly this has proven to be the case in early efforts at attaining awards. Not every project has a good shot at winning an award. Not every owner has the patience to seek an award. Not every architect, engineer, or constructor has the determination to jump through the appropriate hoops to earn certification. Still, as time goes on, more and more architects, engineers, and constructors see a value in building green. The learning curve is steep initially, but then that is true of most learning curves. Designers and constructors who have gone through the process find the second time easier, the third time easier still, and, before long, they have figured out how to turn a profit by working green. Those firms that have embraced sustainability have learned that it can be done profitably, if done intelligently.

Sustainable design/build should lower operating costs through decreasing energy usage; require smaller mechanical and electrical systems; and require longer maintenance cycles. Sustainable design/build should also lower absenteeism by producing a more healthful environment and provide a more productive work force by maintaining a cleaner, better lighted, more comfortable workplace. Sustainable design/build can result in lower overall project costs first if good planning identifies a menu of “achievable” LEED points, particularly those that enjoy energy, waste, and/or tax incentives.

THE INTANGIBLES
Less tangible benefits might include a competitive advantage for clients who identify themselves as being “environmentally concerned.” The awarding of LEED certification is still new enough for a project so identified to get special attention in the trade and local press. Free advertising rarely hurts (for either owner or design/build team). Each project contributes to the knowledge base of designers, builders, owners, and government entities. This is a particularly valuable project outcome for some owners in a time of growing concern with all things environmental, including global warming,ozone layer depletion, and natural resource stewardship.