Understanding LEED

white paper | July 2010 | Understanding LEED® | 1
®
Understanding LEED
pioneering environmental stewardship

“Eco‐friendly” is no longer enough
The time for soft statements has passed. An age of action is upon us.
As responsible citizens and collectives we can no longer afford to sit
on the sidelines while ecological decay continues.
One day soon governments in Canada will follow the lead of many
European nations, where green building mandates are already part of
municipal and national building codes and planning. There will come
a time when green design standards will be part of legislatively-
mandated life safety measures. Sustainable building design will no
longer be an option; it will be a directive.
LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification
is crucial to achieving genuinely sustainable development goals. For
companies seeking to be among the vanguard of the green
construction investing in LEED is publically demonstrating corporate
environmental vision.
It’s not a question of “is LEED for me?” It is a question of “How do I
make LEED work for me?” And Shikatani Lacroix, with three LEED
Accredited Professionals on staff, is prepared to help answer that
question. SLD is poised to be a strategic partner in the most
important corporate undertaking of our time: pioneering
environmental stewardship.

Reading beyond the rhetoric
As consumers become more invested in the ideals of environmental
sustainability the market races to meet that demand with supply.
Unfortunately, this has given rise to a prolific use of “greenwashing”;
the process of misleading the public with environmental buzzwords
and imagery that have little to no basis in concrete ecological benefit.
Amongst this deluge of information it can be difficult to determine
which products or services are actually quantifiably environmentally
beneficial.
The advantage of LEED is it’s transparency; LEED rating systems are
composed of publically available quantifiable criteria that are created
by independent stakeholders from a broad range of Canadian
industries. LEED certification is awarded after an extensive third-
party review process. Information on the registration and
certification of projects is publicly available. The concept of
accountability is inherent to the very process of LEED certification.
As increasingly eco-savvy customers place more importance on the
concept of corporate ecological responsibility companies are forced to
react accordingly and rethink how their brand is perceived. After all,
establishing trust with the consumer is one of the touchstones of
modern corporate philosophy. By aligning with a widely recognized
eco-standard, organizations can quantifiably prove their commitment
to environmental responsibility.
Within the design and construction industry, and even the discerning
end-user, LEED is an established elite brand representing dedicated
ecological stewardship. To achieve LEED certification is to place
oneself and one’s company at the forefront of the sustainability
movement.

Green Value
When considering investing in LEED and green building technology
the concept of higher initial investment costs can be daunting. For
many investors this the prohibitive factor in their decision not to
pursue green buildings. However, if one were to examine all costs
(both outlay and income) associated with green buildings, the
findings are surprising. As identified in A Business Case for Green
Buildings (CaGBC, 2005) there are seven factors to consider in terms
of green building economics:
1. Direct capital costs
2. Direct operating costs
3. Lifecycle costing
4. Productivity benefits
5. Property values
6. External economic savings
7. Other intangible benefits

Direct Capital Costs
Going green involves spending green. However, contrary to most
investor’s expectations, and according to industry estimates, the
additional cost of green building design (above conventional
construction costs) is not monumental. There have been many
reports that have found that the cost of a LEED construction project
above a conventional project can be as little as 2%.
Furthermore, some studies have shown that the cost of LEED
construction costs can actually be less than conventional buildings
costs. The below chart, taken from a paper analyzing green
development in New York illustrates the savings. It is important to
note how the median differs from the average in some cases;
according to the study this is due to a few large budget projects that
drove up the average project expenditures. Given this reality the
more accurate indicator of cost is the median.
CONSTRUCTION COST: COMMERCIAL INTERIORS
ALL LEED NON-LEED CERT. SILVER GOLD PLATINUM
AVERAGE $197/ft2 $191/ft2 $204/ft2 N/A $156/ft2 $330/ft2 $100/ft2
MEDIAN $160/ft2 $158/ft2 $163/ft2 N/A $158/ft2 $244/ft2 $100/ft2
Figures courtesy of Cost of Green in NYC
There are three key factors that contribute to the lower cost of LEED
projects.
1. Budget Allocation
According to industry research, design teams focused on attaining
LEED certification are more likely to use money wisely. Their overall

budget may be the same as for regular projects but the funds are
allocated in such a way as to serve LEED directives.
2. Materials Cost
As the demand for sustainable building materials rises the quantity of
available green resources grows. With more options available the
‘green premium’ that was once attached to sustainable materials is
getting lower.
3. Integrated green strategies
LEED-mandated design encourages a holistic approach to design. By
planning ahead and incorporating green systems and technologies
there is a reduction in the need for unnecessary infrastructure or
future (and costly) retro-fits. An example of eliminating unnecessary
infrastructure is the use of waterless urinals. Designing a men’s
washroom with waterless urinals in lieu of conventional flush urinals
reduces the number of plumbing lines required, thereby reducing
construction costs.

Direct Operating Costs
Operating costs involve everything necessary to maintain a building;
these can include heating, cooling, repairs, retrofits and renovations.
The operational savings in a green building are obvious and simple to
determine since they often involve metering, measuring and other
quantifiable data. The below table outlines the estimated project cost
and annual savings of a typical LEED certified project.
LEED Rating Certified Silver Gold Platinum
LEED Points 26 to 32 33 to 38 39 to 51 52 to 69
Energy Savings 25 to 35% 35 to 50% 50 to 60% >60%
Annual Utility Savings $0.75/ft2 $1.00/ft2 $1.25/ft2 $1.50/ft2
Typical Payback Under 3 yrs 3-5 yrs 5-10 yrs 10+ years
Figures courtesy of Enermodal Engineering
However, there are other and less obvious operational costs that are
affected by green building design such as insurance and churn.
LEED mandated design addresses many risk factors related to typical
building operating systems as covered by insurance. The below table
outlines those aspects of building operations and the effect they can
have on typical insurance liability factors.
Fire&
Wind
Damage
Ice&
Water
Damage
Power
Failures
Professi-
onal
Liability
Health&
Safety
(Lighting
)Health&
Safety
(Indoor)
Building & commissioning
Daylighting
Demand controlled systems
Efficient duct systems
Efficient windows
Energy audits & diagnosis

Health recovery ventilation
Insulated water pipes
LED exit signs
Natural ventilation
Radiant barriers
Radiant hydronic cooling
Radon resistant designs
Reduced indoor pollutants
Roof attic insullation
Table courtesy of A Business Case for Green Buildings, Table 1: Risk Mitigation of Green Buildings
A BOMA study entitled “What Office Tenants Want” found the
following: building tenants rate comfortable air temperature and
indoor air quality as the most important factors in overall property
quality (read: occupant satisfaction). The study also determined that
the primary reason occupants will leave a building is related to
heating and cooling problems.
Churn (defined as the frequency of relocation of building occupants,
both internally and externally) contributes to annual operating costs
for a property owner. There are two ways that churn is reduced in
green buildings.
1. Higher occupant satisfaction leads to more lease renewals and
reduced empty space
2. Green buildings are often designed with flexibility. Spaces can be
reconfigured to suit existing tenant renovations or internal staff
relocations, thereby reducing the need to seek new facilities

Lifecycle Costing
It is critical, when looking to invest in green initiatives, to review the
entire lifecycle of a project. Too often investors, or at a smaller scale
consumers, are put off by the initial high investment cost. However,
the real savings are to be found over the entire lifecycle of a project.
If one were to calculate the lifecycle cost (the combination of direct
capital and direct operating costs), the figures would show the
eventual savings can greatly exceed the additional initial investment
cost.
A simple example is a light bulb (lamp). Energy efficient lighting is a
high operational investment with a long payoff. For example, the
below table calculates the projected savings over the lifespan of a
single lamp as compared to a less efficient model.
LAMPS
Standard PAR38 PAR38/CDMi
ANNUAL ENERGY COST
Watts per lamp 90 25
Annual Hours of Operation 5000 5000
Average annual value of 1 watt* $0.50 $0.50
Annual energy cost (watts x average watt value) $45.00 $12.50
Energy cost over 3 years (15,000 hours) $135.00 $37.50
ANNUAL LAMP COST
Listed lamp lifespan (in hours) 2,500 15,000
Cost per lamp $5.00 $70.00
Quantity of lamps to reach 3 years (15,000 hours)** 6 1
Cost of lamps over 3 years (15,000 hours) $30.00 $70.00
TOTAL LAMP & ENERGY COST (OVER 3 YEARS) $165.00 $107.50

*Value calculated using Toronto Hydro standard rate of $0.10 per KWh
**Fewer lamp replacements also mean additional savings due to reduced maintenance-related costs
Productivity Benefits
Green buildings are usually measured in terms of profit gains as
related to energy and utility savings. This is due in large part to the
fact that those figures are easily measured and simple to calculate.
However, what this approach fails to capture are gains in productivity
and associated value-generating ramifications due to green building
design.
In actual fact, energy costs account for approximately 1% of annual
operating costs. Total annual real estate related costs comprise 9%.
The largest portion, by far, of annual operating costs are staff-related
at up to 88% (refer to adjacent chart taken from A Business Case for
Green Buildings).
Therefore, the most significant return on green building investments
should be measured in terms of increases in occupant productivity.
Studies have shown that an increase of only 1% in productivity can
yield approximately $2/ft2 per year (or $21.50/m2 per year).
Many LEED initiatives aimed at improving occupant well-being, such
as individually controlled heat and lighting systems, have been found
to contribute to overall employee satisfaction, which is a contributing
factor to increased productivity. In fact, studies demonstrated that
improvements to indoor air quality have been shown to increase
worker productivity between 5% and 34%.

Property Values
The property value of green buildings relative to conventional
buildings is of particular interest to developers, who stand to gain no
direct profit from improved operational efficiency or increased
productivity. There are encouraging figures to underscore the
hypothesis that developers can see profit in developing and selling or
leasing green buildings. According to a recent study by US
commercial real estate information company CoStar Group, LEED
certified buildings were found to yield the following results:
• Units in LEED buildings can ask rent premiums up to $11.33
(USD) per square foot above non-LEED certified units and have a
4.1% higher occupancy rate
• LEED certified institutional-use buildings are selling for an
average of $171 (USD) per square foot more than their non-LEED
counterparts
Following the fundamental economic theory of supply and demand, it
stands to reason that as the green buildings become more in demand
the supply (and therefore the value) of LEED certified projects would
rise.
External economic savings
External economic savings are usually those generated by the
developer, building owner or tenants, which are then passed on to the
public at large. For example, the installation of on-site waste water
management systems means less input into local water treatment
facilities. While this creates no financial profit for the property owner,
there are larger societal benefits.

Another aspect to external economic ramifications of green buildings
is the availability of incentive programs; developers or consumers are
rewarded for green actions and activities. As an example, installing a
green roof reduces the heat island effect and benefits local wildlife
and ecosystems, but beyond the environmental benefit there is no
way to determine if such an action has any financial benefit. Thusly,
there are cost incentives aimed at rewarding such environmental
efforts.
For example, in January 2010 the City of Toronto instituted a Green
Roof Bylaw requiring all new commercial, institutional and residential
developments with a minimum gross floor area of 2,000m2 to have a
portion of the roof vegetated. As an incentive the city’s Environment
Office offers a funding program to encourage developers to install eco-
roofs that comply with the bylaw. Under the incentive program
eligible projects can receive funding for the installation of green roofs
of $50/m2 up to a maximum of $100,000.
There are many other municipal, provincial, federal or corporate
sponsored incentive programs offering rewards for green initiatives. A
few examples include:
• The Great Exchange, Toronto Hydro
• Pepsi Refresh Project, Pepsico
• MicroFIT, Ontario Power Authority
Another external benefit of green buildings is local economic
stimulation. The promotion of locally sourced materials integral to all
LEED rating systems encourages the use of regional labour and
supplies, thereby creating demand for regionally located resources.
Also, green construction tends to be labour-intensive, rather than
reliant on technology or materials, which translates into job creation.

Other intangible benefits
The achievement of LEED accreditation sends a broad message to the
public. Due to the relatively few number of LEED projects in Canada,
when a building attains certification it is a major public relations
coup. For example, recently the Deutsche Bank in Germany made
international headlines when their head office in Frankfurt became
the world’s first high-rise office project to be awarded platinum LEED
status. That type of exposure can instantly establish a green
corporate image within the public consciousness.
Registration of LEED applications in Canada grows higher and faster
every year. As of May 2010 there were over 2,000 projects applying
for LEED status in Canada. In the US, where LEED rating systems
have been in place much longer, there are over 19,000 currently
registered projects. The difficult and exacting standards embedded in
LEED directives, and indeed in the process of qualification itself,
heightens the environmental achievement that is LEED certification.
To earn LEED accreditation is to lay claim to the most recognizable
and highly respected industry standard for environmental
responsibility.

There are six different
Canadian LEED rating
systems addressing
various categories of
design & construction
projects:
• New Construction &
Major Renovations
(NC)
• Core and Shell (CS)
• Commercial Interiors
(CI)
• Existing Buildings:
Operations and
Maintenance (EB:
O&M)
• Homes
• Neighbourhood
Development (ND)
What is LEED®?
LEED® was originally created by the US Green Building Council
(USGBC) and later adapted for use in Canada by the Canadian Green
Building Council (CaGBC). It is a point-based rating process that
classifies design and construction projects as environmentally
sustainable; credits are awarded based on compliance with a set of
standardized and measurable criteria. Design teams submit
applications for LEED status and credits are awarded following an
independent third party audit administered by the CaGBC. Based on
the number of credits achieved a project is awarded a LEED rating of
Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
The number of points necessary to achieve a LEED rating varies
according to each rating system. As an example, for LEED® Canada
Commercial Interiors a total of 70 credits are available and certification
levels are as follows:
26-32 credits – Certified
33-38 credits – Silver
39-51 credits – Gold
52 or more credits – Platinum

Who uses LEED®?
LEED projects vary widely in context. Corporate offices, schools,
government facilities, retail stores, housing developments, industrial
plants and major sports arenas are just a few of the examples of
possible LEED projects. The six LEED rating systems are intended
to provide options to certify a broad range of design and construction
projects.
It is possible for a project to fall under the scope of more than one
rating system. Project teams are encouraged to review potential
credit achievements under each system prior to application to
determine which system best suits their application.
New Construction & Major Renovations
The LEED® Canada-New Construction and Major Renovations (NC)
rating system covers new construction projects and major
renovations. It governs commercial, institutional, retail, mid and
high-rise and multi-use residential, public assembly, manufacturing
plants and many other building forms.
LEED® Canada-NC is intended for projects wherein 50% or more of
the building area will be finished (read: ready to be leased) to NC
requirements prior to application for certification. If a project is not
going to be over 50% fit-up then the project team should apply for
certification under the Core and Shell Rating System.
Core and Shell
The LEED® Canada for Core and Shell (CS) is a derivative of LEED®
Canada NC and is applicable in situations where less than 50% of
the building area will be completed to LEED® Canada NC
requirements prior to certification. Tenants in a building that has
Recent Canadian LEED
projects:
• Spring Creek
Firehall, Whistler,
BC: LEED®-NC,
Silver
• Crowfoot Library,
Calgary, AB: LEED®-
NC, Certified
• Thomas L. Wells
Public School,
Toronto, ON: LEED®-
NC, Silver
• HOK Canada Offices,
Toronto, ON: LEED®-
CI, Gold
• Steelcare Plant 19,
Hamilton, ON:
LEED®-NC, Gold
• Winnipeg Mountain
Equipment Co-op,
Winnipeg, MB:
LEED®-NC, Gold

been certified under CS may apply for LEED® Canada-NC
certification.
It should be noted that the CaGBC is currently working to integrate
the documentation for LEED® Canada-NC with LEED® Canada-CS.
This is due to the recognition that a project may begin as a CS
project but end up as a NC project or vice versa depending on the
successful leasing of tenant spaces. Registration for the newly
combined rating systems is expected to begin in June 2010.
Commercial Interiors
The LEED® Canada for Commercial Interiors (CI) is used for tenant
improvements of new or existing office space. It can be applied to
both tenants and building owners’ improvement work. LEED®
Canada-CI can apply to tenant spaces in government and private
sectors for offices, retail units, restaurants, healthcare facilities,
hotel/resorts and educational buildings.
Despite the title the LEED® Canada-CI rating system does not apply
to interior work alone, it also includes many exterior design
considerations as outlined below in the section on Site Selection
credit requirements.
Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance
The LEED® Canada Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
(EB: O&M) rating system assists building owners and operators in
the assessment of building operations, improvements and
maintenance on a quantifiable level. The aim of LEED® Canada-EB:
O&M is to maximize a building’s operational efficiency while
minimizing detrimental environmental effects. LEED® Canada-EB:
O&M focuses on all aspects of the building’s cleaning and

maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs,
exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades.
LEED® Canada EB: O&M is unlike other rating systems in that it
does not rate design or construction activities. Rather it measures
the efficiency of buildings systems over the lifecycle of the building.
To maintain LEED® Canada EB: O&M certification the project must
file for recertification at least every five years. Since the project
must demonstrate compliance with LEED mandated operating
guidelines for the entire period between recertification, LEED®
Canada-EB: O&M represents a substantial and on-going
commitment to environmental standards.
Homes
The LEED® Canada for Homes rating system is intended to promote
the design and construction of green homes. Launched in 2009 by
the CaGBC, LEED® Canada for Homes provides a national standard
for builders and renovators of residential projects. Due to the long-
term nature of occupation in homes, LEED® Canada for Homes
contains extra credit categories not present in other ratings
systems:
• Location and Linkages - to highlight the importance of placing
housing in a larger community context.
• Awareness and Education – teaching home owners and builders
about the green features of LEED certified homes

Neighbourhood Developments
The LEED® for Neighbourhood Developments (ND) rating system is
currently under development by the CaGBC and is intended for
implementation in Canada in 2010. There are a few developments in
Canada taking part in a pilot testing by the USGBC. Results from
those tests will likely inform the content of the LEED® ND rating
system.

How does LEED® work?
Process
Achieving accreditation begins with the registration of the project with
the CaGBC and is complete upon the final review, after which a
rating is awarded. Refer to the adjacent chart to see a typical
breakdown of the entire procedure for an application to LEED-CI
certification.
Participants
Applying for LEED certification is a group effort. Isolation of any one
aspect of project management or execution is not possible due the
holistic methodology of LEED mandated design.
The process begins with the client and project manager determining
which LEED rating system best suits the design project. Once a
direction has been decided upon then a comprehensive design and
construction plan must be created. The following parties should be
included in the creation and/or execution of this plan:
• Client
• LEED AP project manager
• Designers
• Commissioning agents (engineering consultants)
• Consultants (i.e. landscape designers, architects, engineers, etc)
• Contractors and sub trades
• Suppliers
• Landlord
The level of involvement in the LEED process varies among team
members and even fluctuates during the different stages of the
process. Therefore, it is very important to have one overseer on the

project; the LEED project manager. Ideally that person would be a
LEED Accredited Professional (AP) in order to be best suited to
understanding the ecological intentions behind each aspect of the
design and construction.
The CaGBC is currently in the process of establishing three tiers of
LEED AP credentials. The path to securing LEED AP status will be
through exams and ongoing Credential Maintenance Programs
(CMPs) to ensure the knowledge of a LEED AP remains current and
relevant to current green building design and practices. The three
types of AP credentials will be as follows:
• LEED Green Associate (demonstrating basic knowledge of green
design, construction and operation)
• LEED AP with specialty:
• LEED AP Building Design & Construction (BD&C)
• LEED AP Homes
• LEED AP Interior Design & Construction (ID&C)
• LEED AP Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
• LEED AP Neighborhood Development (ND)
• LEED Fellow (signifying an extraordinary level of professional
knowledge and contribution to the green building field)
Points
Within each rating system there are six categories in which a project
can earn points:
• Site Selection
• Water Efficiency
• Energy Efficiency
• Material Selection
• Indoor Environmental Quality

• Innovation in Design
For the purposes of this paper most of the below examples regarding
credit achievement have been taken from LEED® Canada-Commercial
Interiors.

Site Selection
This section focuses on minimizing the impact of buildings and
construction on the surrounding ecosystems. This includes
addressing such site design issues as stormwater management, heat
island and light pollution reduction, efficient water systems
management and, on-site renewable energy production. Credits are
also awarded for project site selection that takes into account the
following; local development density, community connectivity and
alternative transportation availability. Examples of earning credits
under this category would include:
• Installing vegetated roofing systems
• Installing irrigation systems that utilize stormwater in lieu of
potable water
• Reducing potable water consumption by a fixed percentage with
the installation of high efficiency plumbing fixtures.
• Selecting to locate the project on a brownfield redevelopment site
• Providing bicycle storage and change room facilities for occupants
• Locating projects close to alternative means of transportation or
in a densely developed neighbourhoods
• Limiting parking availability to minimum amounts as required by
local zoning by-laws


Water Efficiency
The aim of this section is to reduce the water usage of a given project.
Water conservation benefits local ecosystems by reducing the demand
on regional water bodies. In addition there is lower input into local
waste water treatment facilities. To achieve points in this category a
project must demonstrate water savings by comparing a projected
savings case study against a baseline water use case study. Methods
for achieving water conservation include:
• Installing high efficiency plumbing fixtures and equipment
• Collecting grey water for reuse in on-site building operations
• Installing occupancy sensors on applicable fixtures (i.e. faucets)

Energy Efficiency
Commercial and institutional buildings are responsible for
approximately 37% of Canada’s energy use. This section is aimed at
reducing energy consumption levels, thereby lowering the demand on
local energy generation facilities and associatively reducing
operational costs. In this category credits can be earned by:
Toilets account for the largest portion of water
consumption in residential and commercial buildings -
approximately 4.8 billion litres per day. Older toilets
use 15-30 litres of water per flush. New high-efficiency
toilets use a maximum of 6 litres per flush.

• Conducting commissioning tests to ensure building systems are
installed, calibrated and operating at optimal levels
• Engage in a contract committed to obtaining at least a portion of
the project’s energy supply from renewable energy providers (i.e.
Bullfrog Power®)
• Optimizing energy performance of HVAC systems
• Installing Energy Star® appliances that would account for a
percentage of the overall energy costs
• Installing lighting controls (i.e. daylight responsive fixtures or
individually operated light fixtures)
Material Selection
The ecological footprint of materials in a project reaches beyond their
immediate environmental influences on an interior space. Design
teams are encouraged to consider the full lifecycle of a material, from
manufacturing, transportation and installation, to the on-site
performance and eventual disposal of an item. Credits can be
awarded for material selections that take into account the above
factors in the following ways:
• Employing conscientious waste management practices to divert
unnecessary waste from landfills
• Reusing existing base building elements (doors, windows, walls,
etc.)
• Sourcing products created with a percentage of recycled content
• Sourcing products manufactured locally
• Sourcing products with a component of rapidly renewing
materials or FSC®-certified wood
• Engaging in a contract committing to remain in place for a
number of years, thereby reducing the need for new materials in
the immediate future
“As a commercial
customer of
Bullfrog Power,
can I use the
bullfrog powered
logo on my
organization's
website?
Yes…becoming a
bullfrog powered
organization is a
great way to
build your brand
and reach key
audiences such as
customers and
employees with a
positive message
about your
environmental
good citizenship
and green power
purchase.”
- Bullfrog Power website,
FAQ section

Indoor Environmental Quality
Indoor air quality affects occupant’s health and well-being. Off-
gassing from materials and finishes can have significant impact on
air quality. Initiatives aimed at improving air quality could include:
• Specifying low-emitting materials, coatings, paints, carpets,
adhesives and sealants
• Conducting indoor air quality testing to ensure optimal system
performance
• Installing individually controlled temperature, lighting and
ventilation systems
• Developing and utilizing an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management
Plan designed to minimize impact of construction or renovation
activities on air quality both during and after the construction
phase

Innovation in Design
Credits earned under this category recognize achievement in design
or construction that went beyond the requirements of LEED rating
systems. Or conversely, to award points for the creation and
implementation of environmental strategies not specifically addressed
in other sections. Methods for achieving credits in this category are
wide-ranging and can be qualitative in nature. Examples include:
• Substantially exceeding the energy or water use reduction
requirements of the Water Efficiency or Energy Efficiency
sections, or any other percentage-based credit requirement
• Conducting on-going education programs for building occupants
on environmental issues
• Contributing to community development sustainability
• Including a LEED® Accredited Professional (AP) on the project
management team

How to realize your LEED potential
SLD currently has three LEED certified Accredited Professionals (APs)
on staff. Under LEED guidelines and with our own qualifications as
designers we can manage the following aspects of a LEED project.
• Project management
• Interior design services including;
 Creation of demolition, construction, lighting, equipment,
electrical and plumbing plans
 Furniture, finishes and fixture selection
• Alterative transportation assessment
• Water use calculations
• Signage and wayfinding
Some credits require the participation of engineering consultants.
For example, earning credits in the Energy & Atmosphere section
requires proof of compliance with energy standards as demonstrated
by an engineer’s calculations. For that and other credit-related
reasons an engineer can be employed on the project to provide the
following services:
• Creating energy modeling and daylight simulations for the
proposed design
• Reviewing and testing existing building systems
• Designing mechanical and electrical systems
• Conducting building commissioning to monitor and optimize
performance

Being a LEED Leader
Environmental stewardship is the ethical framework in which
communities and organizations combine efforts to prevent and repair
ecological damage. It is a fine ideal but in a sea of companies
scrambling to position themselves as eco-conscious it can be difficult
to prove that actual environmental restitution is being achieved.
LEED is a rare example of an internationally recognized quantifiable
environmental standard. To a public body eager to hear news of
genuine green initiatives, LEED certification is a concrete statement
of ecological accountability.

For more information regarding LEED and to set up a consultation,
contact:
Jean‐Pierre Lacroix, President
Shikatani Lacroix
387 Richmond Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 1P6
Telephone: 416‐367‐1999
Email: jplacroix@sld.com

Shikatani Lacroix is a leading branding and design firm located in
Toronto, Canada. Partnering with companies from around the world
SL commissions assignments across CPG, retail and service
industries; helping clients achieve success within their operating
markets. SL offers a wide variety of core services including corporate
identity and communication, brand experience design, packaging,
naming and product design; all with the aim of enabling clients’
brands to better connect with targeted consumers.
About the Author
Rebecca Caven, Designer, LEED AP, B.E.S.
Rebecca Caven is a designer in the Environmental Design
Department at SL. She began her career as an urban planner after
completing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies at the
University of Waterloo. Rebecca went on to further her education
and graduated from the International Academy of Design and
Technology with a diploma in Interior Design.
Rebecca has been with SL as an environmental designer for over
three years, serving a wide range of clients including Second Cup,
Blue Jays Care Foundation and Petro Canada. She also managed
the award-winning Grand & Toy retail store redesign.
Becoming a certified LEED® Accredited Professional in 2008,
Rebecca seeks to infuse interior design projects with ecologically-
focused construction standards.

Picture to come

Reference Materials

LEED® Canada for Commercial Interiors | CaGBC
Version 1.0, Copyright © 2007

LEED® Explained | Enermodal Engineering
http://www.enermodal.com/Canadian/leed_explained.html

CaGBC website | Canadian Green Building Council
http://www.cagbc.org/

USGBC website | U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/
LEED® Projects Grow Rapidly Outside the U.S.
By Alex Palmer, Nielsen Business Media (August 12, 2009)
http://www.usgbc.org/News/USGBCInTheNewsDetails.aspx?ID=416
9
Demand in Marketplace for Sustainability Creates Higher Occupancy Rates,
Stronger Rents and Sale Prices in 'Green' Buildings
By Andrew C Burr, CoStar Group (May 26, 2008)
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=D968F1E0DCF73712
B03A099E0E99C67
Consumers go for green products, Mintel
By Annie Launois, Food and Drink Europe.com, (April 10, 2008)
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/Consumer-
Trends/Consumers-go-for-green-products-Mintel
Bullfrog Power Inc.
https://www.bullfrogpower.com/index.cfm

Hume: Green and iconic, German bank towers soar
By Christopher Hume, The Toronto Star, (May 7, 2009)
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/805450--hume-
green-and-iconic-german-bank-towers-soar
Commercial Solutions
Green power informational pamphlet published by Bullfrog Power Inc.
https://www.bullfrogpower.com/
A Business Case for Green Buildings
Lead author: Mark Lucuik, Contributing authors: Wayne Trusty, Nils
Larsson and Robert Charette, Morrison Hershfield (March, 2005)
http://www.cagbc.org/uploads/A%20Business%20Case%20for%20G
reen%20Bldgs%20in%20Canada_sept_12.pdf

Green Value: Green buildings, growing assets
By Chris Corps, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (2005)
http://www.bluewildernessgroup.com/index.php?action=display&cat
=43&doc=greenvaluesreport_1.pdf

Marketing Green Buildings to Tenants of Leased Properties
By Sonja Persram, Mark Lucuik and, Nils Larsson, Morrison
Hershfield (August 23, 2007)
http://www.cagbc.org/database/rte/Marketing%20Green%20Buildin
gs%20to%20Tenants.pdf

What Office Tenants Want: 1999 BOMA/ULI Office Tenant Survey Report
Referenced in: A Business Case for Green Buildings (see above)

Toronto Eco‐Roof Incentive Program
http://www.toronto.ca/livegreen/greenbusiness_greenroofs_eco-
roof.htm

Toronto Green Roof Bylaw
http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/overview.htm

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