The document discusses the environmental impacts of buildings in the United States and provides an overview of the LEED certification process. It then presents a case study of a LEED Gold-certified corporate headquarters building project. The key sustainable design and construction features that were implemented to achieve LEED certification included stormwater management features, water efficiency measures, high-performance building envelope, daylighting, and use of regional and recycled materials.

2. LEED Momentum:
Environmental Impact of All U.S.
Commercial and Residential Buildings*
• 71% of total U.S. electricity
• 39% of total U.S. CO2
emissions
• 136 million tons of construction
and demolition waste in the U.S.
(approx. 2.8 lbs/person/day)
• 12% of potable water in the U.S.
• 40% (3 billion tons annually) of
raw materials used globally
* Taken from USGBC website

3. LEED Methodology
Process Informed by Credit Feasibility
• Prerequisites + Points =
Credits
• Total Credits =
Certification Level
– Certified
– Silver
– Gold
– Platinum 6 Credit Categories:
• Sustainable Sites
• Multi-Charette Process • Water Efficiency
- Goals of Client" • Energy &
Atmosphere
- Prioritization" • Materials &
- Cost " Resources
• Environmental
- Suitability to project" Quality
• Innovation & Design

4. Process of Certification
• Register
• Assemble Team
• Drafting & Updating Credit Checklist – prioritizing attainability
• Design, Construct and Document to meet standards
• Project Summary
• Optional Design Submission, Review & Appeal – can bank points to
meet certification threshold
• Construction Submission, Review & Appeal
• Certification Award

5. A Case Study: "
Colorcon Global Headquarters and Technology Center
§ LEED Architect is Lead Architect for owner-occupied
pharmaceutical support company. "
§ Integrated Design: synergies throughout design team."
§ LEED New Construction certification goal - Gold"
§ 26 acre site, Ruth Road & Clemens Road, Harleysville, PA,"
§ Approx. 90, 000 gsf two-story Corporate HQ, Conference
Center, Global Data Center and R&D Labs"
§ Completion : Fall 2009"

6. Sustainable Site Design
Site: Design Goals
– Stormwater Management:
– Restore Habitat
– Geese Deterrent Design
– Bike storage, showers and
changing rooms
– Minimize heat island
– Light Pollution Reduction:

7. Berm & Reforested Buffer Zone
Stormwater:
• Reforestation
• Wildflower
meadow
• 2162 gsf roof
terrace garden
• Detention basin &
rain garden
• Native species- no
irrigation
Berm:
• Energy Efficiency – thermal mass cools data center
• Executive terrace overlooks wildflower meadow
• Site Context – residential/mixed use
• Ameliorates bedrock conditions

8. Wet Meadow & Cistern for Roof Terrace
• 169 surface parking spaces, 48 in
reserve, drains to wet meadow"
• Planted to discourage geese"
• 23,500 gallon cistern to be fed from
2nd floor flat roof and east pitched
roofs
• 2,162 gsf Roof Terrace irrigated from
cistern, 4-6,000 gallons monthly

9. Light Pollution Reduction
• Bi-level lighting- non-security
lights on time clock inside and out,
• Dim exterior pole fixtures
• Full cut-off energy efficient
fixtures

10. Water Efficiency
• Drought Tolerant and Native Species
3.5 million gallons saved, mulching reduced
• Efficient Fixtures and Fittings
48% reduction interior water usage: waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets,
low-flow showers , automatic faucets

11. Energy and Atmosphere
• 31% less energy usage
• Mechanical & Electrical:
– Intelligent Measure of Demand: Occupancy & Photo voltaic Sensors, BAS,
watt stopper, polling of zones of 5 offices, hot isle & cold isle for data center
– High Efficiency, bi-level site lighting tied in with BAS
– Leveraging Ambient Temperature & Lighting: Daylight harvesting, free
cooling, energy recovery wheels for conference center
– Quality Equipment: Variable speed pumps & fans, EER of 10.4
• Architectural
– Superior Insulation: Berm, Green Roof, Roof, bio-based spray insulation
– High Performance Glazing; 23% of façade, 90% of views
– Daylight Design: Orientation, Overhung windows, Interior Glazing,
Courtyard
– Task Lighting, mirrors, T5 lamping, efficient fixtures
Roof Terrace
Heat Sink Data Center Overhung, South-facing Fenestration

12. Materials & Resources
• 20% Recycled
Content:
– steel, slag concrete,
roofing, aluminum
• 20% Regionally
Extracted :
– concrete, gypsum
board, landscaping,
berm
• Cradle to Cradle – Entire Life Cycle
• Rapidly Renewable
• Embedded Energy – bamboo , insulation
• FSC Wood

13. What LEED Does for Design:
Green = Better + More Teamwork & Communication
• Better Building:
Smarter, Higher Quality
• Better Teamwork:
Integration,
Prioritization
• Better Communication:
Design Charettes,
More Documentation
• Better Skills:
Requires Sustainability
Competence

14. What LEED Does for You:
• Decreased
Annual Costs:
• Energy – 31% Put photo with correct
• Water – 48% logo
• No irrigation,
Maintenance
• Accountability:
• USGBC 3rd Party
Accreditation
• Quality of Life:
• Improve Employee Communication and Efficiency
• Increase connection with environment – views, bikes and trails on
buffer zone, roof garden, executive terrace
• Water Cycle Management - “closing the loop”
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction – energy, refrigerant
• Smaller Environmental Footprint – regional, recycled, and rapidly
renewable materials
• Higher Quality – IAQ, Building Materials