Going Green — LEED and Sustainability
What is sustainability?
Using natural resources at the same rate they are being replenished.
What is an example of a sustainable product or technology?
- Solar, wind and geothermal power
- Products made from plants that are harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter (such as bamboo, cotton and cork)
What is LEED?
According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is "a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven building rating system... [that] evaluates environmental performance from a whole building perspective over a building's life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a 'green building'." There are four levels of certification:
- Certified
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
There are currently nine different rating systems:
- LEED for New Construction
- LEED for Core and Shell
- LEED for Commercial Interiors
- LEED for Existing Building: Operations & Maintenance
- LEED for Homes
- LEED for Schools
- LEED for Neighborhood Development
- LEED for Retail
- LEED for Healthcare
What does LEED look at?
There are six categories for LEED credits:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation in Design
For more information visit www.usgbc.org/leed.
Our LEED Design, Administration and Documentation Services
Watkins' Design Services
- Evaluate potential credits and pre-requisites for feasibility
- Research LEED compliant materials and design strategies
- Provide additional drawings and specifications for LEED
Watkins' Administration Services
- Register project with USGBC
- Review LEED construction shop drawings and submittals and compile for LEED submission
- Attend design meetings for LEED coordination
- Develop and update LEED Credit Checklist
- Develop and update LEED Schedule
Watkins' Documentation Services
- Coordinate contractor, architectural and engineering LEED documentation and construction submittals
- Complete all LEED online templates
- Generate and upload supporting documentation
ENERGY STAR
What is ENERGY STAR?
According to www.energystar.gov, "ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices."
Becoming an ENERGY STAR Partner
According to www.energystar.gov, "The ENERGY STAR Service and Product Provider (SPP) partnership is available to organizations that provide energy efficiency services and/or products to commercial buildings and industrial manufacturing plants in the United States. ENERGY STAR SPP partners are integral in helping clients to improve the energy performance of their commercial building portfolios and to adopt continuous improvement strategies for corporate-wide energy management in industrial manufacturing. SPPs use the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management to move customers towards greater successes."
Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR
- Designation given to design projects that receive a rating of 75 or higher
- Growing Hearts Early Childhood Education Center is a Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR project and was recognized at the 2009 AIA National Convention in San Francisco as part of the 2009 ENERGY STAR Challenge.
Memberships
Watkins Architect LTD is a proud member of the USGBC and an ENERGY STAR Partner.
