Understanding the LEED Certification Process
by Jonathan McGaha | November 1, 2015 12:00 am
The LEED rating system is now 15 years old, and many building owners often have questions about LEED certification and whether it is worth pursuing. In this month’s column, I’ll break down some of the common questions I’ve received on this topic over the years.
Since its inception, how has LEED influenced architects’ designs?
The answer to this question really comes down to the architect. There are some designers who have embraced the LEED rating system(s) as a design tool, and with that, their work reflects a movement toward more sustainable designs. Other designers choose to use the LEED rating system(s) to validate their credibility at the end of the process. For those individuals, designs have not changed all that much.
Our industry still has a long way to go before what we find in high-performing LEED buildings becomes the norm. This is especially true when considering the enhancements that are being made to the LEED rating system(s). Every new version of a LEED rating system brings about more challenges and requires a higher degree of performance for projects to become certified. Those designers that struggle with the existing requirements will have even more difficulty with the requirements of future versions of the rating system.
For companies working in the metal architecture industry, is LEED certification still worth pursuing and, similarly, what is LEED certification’s value to companies and the industry?
The pursuit of LEED certification should be driven by the owner. However, a firm that closes a deal solely based on LEED can find itself with a dissatisfied client. LEED certification is a process. It starts with a decision and does not end until the building is occupied and reporting data is sent to the Green Building Certification Institute. The USGBC’s LEED rating system still holds an important place in the industry, and there is a growing amount of municipalities and organizations that turn to the LEED rating system as a mandate. It is for these reasons that it remains important for firms and individuals to understand the requirements of the various LEED rating systems.
There remains a value in the market for those buildings that receive a LEED certification. While they may, or may not, receive higher rents as once predicted, they are still generally considered better buildings. The success of a LEED building is dependent on the dedication of the team and the deliverables required for the project. There are many owners that never pursue LEED certification, yet still have high-performing buildings, and there are buildings that receive LEED certification that do not perform that well. It all comes down to what owners want out of their buildings.
Are there any tips, suggestions or advice you can give companies to help them obtain LEED certification?
I have had the tremendous good fortune to have been involved in the LEED certification of more than 50 buildings. Over this time, the lessons learned have been invaluable. However, working to get a project certified has not gotten any easier. The rating systems and the process are always changing, and requirements are constantly amended. There are a few important tips to consider, however, regardless of the changes to the system:
- Achieving certification will take a lot of effort. It is not beneficial to the project delivery team or the industry as a whole when an owner is told that pursuing LEED certification is a non-event. There is an extra measure of effort and, with that, a cost. There are many firms that make statements about sustainability being a way of life and it is just what they do, but to say LEED certification is free is a mistake. There are costs associated with the certification of a building, and trying to conceal the true costs from an owner does not do the industry any favors. Don’t use the decision to pursue LEED certification as a means to overcharge for services, but do be honest.
- LEED certification should be seen as a process. Too often, a team looks at LEED certification as a task or a validation of work at the completion of a project. The LEED process should start with an informed decision from an owner.
Once the decision is made, the team should use the information provided in the LEED reference manual to assist with and guide the design and the process of design. Eventual certification of a project is always easier if the delivery team follows an integrated process. Upon completion of the design, the transition to the construction phase should be seamless. The design team should clearly communicate the requirements to the contractor. Team members should not rely on weak language that implies, but does not inform, what will be required by the contractors and suppliers working on the project.
Commissioning of the building systems needs to be incorporated into the contraction phase and not viewed as a final inspection. Finally, a building owner needs to be trained on how to use their building so that it can operate in the same manner that it has been designed and constructed. A successful project is not complete at the end of design or the end of construction-it also needs to be operated as a high-performance building.
- Help from a professional can be critical to the success of a project. I have met representatives of several firms that think having one or more LEED Accredited Professionals on staff means they do not need any help in getting a project certified. This is, in most cases, not true. A team, even an experienced team, can benefit from someone or a firm that specializes in the LEED process.
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Thomas Taylor, a 30-year veteran of the construction industry and noted expert on sustainability, is a principal and co-founder of St. Louis-based Vertegy. His book, “Guide to LEED 2009: Estimating and Preconstruction Strategies,” provides step-by-step information about the LEED 2009 for New Construction process. To learn more about Vertegy or Taylor, visit www.vertegyconsultants.com.
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