Sustainable Buildings
and Green Markets
An Engineering Perspective
Presented by:
Haven Alford
Overview
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Why does it matter
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Elements of Sustainable Buildings
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Government Application (Green Market
Incentives)
Environmental Impact of Buildings
(why does it matter?)
US Commercial Buildings Facts:
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65.2%
> 36%
30%
136
12%
40%
total US electricity consumption
total US primary energy use
total US greenhouse gas emissions
million tons of US
construction/demolition waste (about
2.8 lbs/person/day)
of potable water in the US
(3 billion tons annually) of raw
materials used globally
www.usgbc.org
5 Broad Areas of Application

Sustainable Sites
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Energy and Atmosphere

Indoor Environmental Quality

Water Efficiency
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Materials and Resources
LEED Concept and Intent
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LEED is the standard for sustainable design
worldwide.
Design and construction practices that significantly
reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings
on the environment.
LEED is a point based system that ranks the
sustainability of a building’s design by:
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Certified
Silver
Gold
Platinum ratings
(26 – 32 points)
(33 – 38 points)
(39 – 51 points)
(52 – 69 points)
Why engineers (and you)
should care…

Discipline:

MEP
Architect/LA
Civil
Constructor
Undefined
28 points
21
11
4
5
41%
30%
16%
6%
7%

Totals
69 points
100%
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Sustainable Sites
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Site Selection
Development Density
Brownfield Redevelopment
Alternative Transportation
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Public Transportation
Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Parking Capacity
Reduced Site Disturbance
Storm Water Management
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
www.state.me.us/cleangovt/ ENERGY/energy.htm
Sustainable Sites
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Reduced Site Disturbance
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Storm Water Management
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Rate and Quantity
Treatment
Heat Island Effect
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Protect or Restore Open Space
Development Footprint
Non-Roof
Roof
Light Pollution Reduction
Green Roof

www.dep.state.pa.us/.../ se/stormwater.htm
Light Pollution
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/08/24/dimming.the.lights.ap/large.usa.lights.jpg
Water Efficiency
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Water Efficient Landscaping
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Reduce by 50%
No Potable Use or No Irrigation
Innovative Wastewater Technologies
Water Use Reduction
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20 – 30%
Waterless Urinals and
Composting/Waterless Toilets
http://www.aventer.com/toilets/images/t3.jpg
http://www.magic-tec.com/magic_ur.html
Energy and Atmosphere
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Fundamental Building System Commissioning
Minimum Energy Performance
CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment
Optimize Energy Performance
Renewable Energy
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5 – 10%
Additional Commissioning
Ozone Protection
Measurement and Verification
Green Power
Example of Natural Ventilation
www.thedalles.k12.or.us/.../ sld018.htm
Renewable Energy
http://www.power-technology.com
Photovoltaic Roof Systems
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/pvt/education/inspgcps/handbook/images/pvarray.jpg
http://www.alternativeenergyinc.com/images/gallery/roof_mounted_pv.jpg
Materials and Resources
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Storage and Collection of Recyclables
Building Reuse
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Construction Waste Management
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Maintaining 75 – 100% of Existing Walls, Floor, and Roof
Maintain 100% of the shell/structure and 50% of nonshell/non-structure
Divert 50 – 75% from a landfill
Resource Reuse
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5 – 10% of materials used are salvaged, refurbished, or
reused materials, products and furnishings
Materials and Resources
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Recycled Content
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Regional Materials
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5 – 10% (post-consumer + ½ post-industrial)
20% manufactured regionally
50% extracted regionally
Rapidly Renewable Materials
Certified Wood
Recycled and Rapidly
Renewable Materials
http://www.eps.or.kr
http://www.franksupply.com
Indoor Environmental Quality
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Minimum IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
Performance
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control
Carbon Dioxide Monitoring
Ventilation Effectiveness
Construction IAQ Management Plan
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During Construction
Before Occupancy
Indoor Environmental Quality
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Low Emitting Materials
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Adhesives and Sealants
Paints and Coatings
Composite Wood
Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control
 Controllability of Systems
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Perimeter Spaces
Non-Perimeter Spaces
Indoor Environmental Quality
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Thermal Comfort
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Compliance with ASHRAE 55
Permanent Monitoring System
Daylight and Views
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Daylighting in 75% of spaces
Views for 90% of spaces
Example of Daylighting
csep1.phy.ornl.gov/ CSEP/PT/NODE37.html
Federal Government LEED
Applications
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General Services Administration (GSA)
US Air Force
US Army Corps of Engineers
Department of State
Department of Energy (DOE)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US Navy
State Government LEED
Applications
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California
Pennsylvania – all new construction
Oregon – tax credit
New York
Maryland – all buildings over 500,000 ft2
New Jersey – schools, and voluntary applications
Arizona
Missouri
Wisconsin
Local Government LEED
Applications
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Austin, Texas
Boulder, Colorado
Los Angeles, California
San Diego, California
San Mateo, California
Arlington, Virginia
Cook County, Illinois
Portland, Oregon
San Jose, California
Seattle, Washington
Incentives
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Sell energy back to the utility company
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Tax breaks on new technologies
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Rebates, grants and loans
Sources
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Ray Yunk, Professor of Architectural
Engineering
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Dustin Schafer, Instructor of Architectural
Engineering
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www.usgbc.org
Questions?