Green Locales for This Year's Annual Conventions

Image: Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C. is hosting the ASLA 2010 Annual Meeting


By Jill Bellenger, ASLA, CPH


With organizations like the US Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) all gearing up for annual conventions later this year, it’s important to consider the effect that business travel has on our natural resources. Green hotels are not only a sustainable opportunity for business lodging, they are also a common and convenient spot for hosting conventions, corporate meetings, and retreats.

First in June is the AIA National Convention, held in sunny Miami. With the Florida Green Lodging program set forth by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, Miami is not new to the green movement. With well over 600 volunteer lodging members to the program, it is required for each member to commit to a variety of sustainable practices. As for the convention itself, the AIA aims to offset 100% of its emissions with the help of $10 individual donations for every registration.

Washington, D.C. is on the list as well, hosting the ASLA Annual Meeting in September. D.C. is listed as one of the country’s leading examples of sustainability on Sustainlane’s 2008 rankings. It ranks 2nd in the Green Building category, following behind Portland, OR. Specifically, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where the event will take place, has its own Green Initiatives program. The center utilizes natural ventilation, an extensive recycling program, and many others listed on their website.

It’s only fitting that the USGBC Greenbuild is being held this coming November in Chicago, which leads the nation with over 25 Green Hotels in its Green Hotels Initiative program and continues to lead in number and square footage of urban green roofs. Returning after only a few short years, USGBC plans to host a variety of programs allowing folks to experience the city’s most notable sustainable projects and places, for those that can make the time among all other educational programs offered.

USGBC has also put together a helpful tool called the Hotel & Conference Center Environmental Questionnaire inside its Green Venue Selection Guide to assist in identifying proper energy efficient facilities to help business travelers and planners meet their sustainability goals. The questionnaire also covers topics like the overall waste stream of the facility, sustainable and local purchasing, and access and use of alternative transportation. It’s a great way to document a hotel’s level of sustainable commitment.

Integrated Project Delivery : An Interview with Jonathan Cohen, FAIA, LEED AP

By Ed LeBard, Associate AIA, LEED AP+


American Institute of Architects (AIA) California Council's study on Integrated Project Delivery, compiled by Jonathan Cohen, FAIA, LEED AP, is an in-depth report on the benefits and issues confronting the IPD process. IPD offers an alternative in design and construction management in which obstacles between project team members are taken down, encouraging open dialogue , and reducing inter-disciplinary conflicts with BIM technology and an open-book approach. As IPD develops, more building owners, architects and contractors are discovering that committing to IPD allows for adjustments to the process itself.



The major IPD principles stated by AIA California Council that are vital to its success are:

• Early Involvement of Key Participants
• Shared Risk and Reward
• Multi-Party Contract
• Collaborative Decision Making and Control
• Liability Waivers Among Key Participants
• Jointly Developed and Validated Project Goals

What Is Integrated Project Delivery?
“Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures, and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.

IPD principles can be applied to a variety of contractual arrangements and IPD teams can include members well beyond the basic triad of owner, architect, and contractor. In all cases, integrated projects are uniquely distinguished by highly effective collaboration among the owner, the prime designer, and the prime constructor, commencing at early design and continuing through to project handover.” (copyright - AIA and AIA California Council)


Interview with Jonathan Cohen, FAIA, LEED AP:

EL : The Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) process is relatively new to the A/E industry. What are its weakness and strengths? Where do you see IPD in the future as it develops?

JC: The biggest strength is the increased predictability of cost and schedule, which lowers everyone’s risk. It also eliminates explicit and hidden contingencies thereby saving a lot of money. The weakness is that more effort is required up front so IPD will appeal to owner-operators and not so much to developers who are looking to flip properties and mainly interested in first cost.

EL : Some architects fear that the IPD process is another tool for General Contractors to push them around. Could you expand on this? How can that myth be dispelled?

JC: So far the builders have been much more proactive on this than the architects. They have shown themselves to be more willing to collaborate and innovate on process. If architects would step up to the challenge they could ensure themselves of an expanded role. If they don’t they will be pushed around and marginalized.

EL : Your case study of the Encircle Health Ambulatory Care Center required a minimum of LEED Silver rating and the project team was confident in achieving LEED Gold despite the fast paced IPD process. Does the inclusion of IPD translate to smoother LEED coordination between all team members?

JC: Yes, since LEED points are awarded for both design and construction, an integrated team can better prepare for LEED and predict costs and projected savings. IPD is very helpful to sustainability in buildings.

EL : With the Federal Government now requiring a minimum of LEED Silver rating on all new construction and renovation projects, what are your thoughts on implementing the IPD process here?

JC: The federal government should adjust its procurement process to take advantage of IPD because it delivers the best value. I don’t know enough about federal contracting to have an opinion about how that might take place and what impediments there are. Many state and local government agencies are seriously looking at IPD and in some cases writing new contracts or seeking legislative authority to implement.


For more information on AIA California Council's IPD Case Studies: http://aia.org/ipdcasestudies
For more information on Jonathan Cohen, FAIA, LEED AP: http://www.jcarchitects.com/

Green Guest Expert

As a daily contributor to the NRDC's online Switchboard, Kaid Benfield educates and informs the public about local green initiatives in the D.C. area and beyond. He provides an inside look into everything from Urban Green Infrastructure to Walkable Communities to the defenders of true conservation, sometimes all in the same week.


A local lessen in transit orientation, walkability and supermarket economics

Several weeks ago, I ran a post making the case that transit-oriented development requires more than just transit and development. As the phrase implies, it also requires orientation: the development must relate to and be convenient to the transit. There is also a body of practice and research on the closely linked subject of walkable neighborhoods, which require more than just sidewalks and places you might want to go within theoretical walking distance.

Full story...

Sustainability in the News

UPDATES:
Proposed Standard 189.1 Begins Third Public Review with Increased Energy Savings: www.ashrae.org
Architectural Record, Recession & Recovery Reports: http://archrecord.construction.com
2010 Energy Star Award Winners for energy efficiency: www.energystar.gov


CALENDAR:
April 19, Earth Day (40th Anniversary) on the National Mall: http://earthday.net
May 18-19, USGBC 2010 Federal Summit: www.usgbc.org
June 8-12, American Institute of Architects Annual Convention, Miami: www.aiaconvention.com

GreenSource Calendar of Events: http://greensource.construction.com

New Feature: Green Building Photo Album

Every quarter, see a photo album created by the partners that showcases advances in Green Design. This quarter, see shots of our recent trip to Syracuse, NY and the many new initiatives created by the City of Syracuse, Syracuse University, and the Syracuse Center of Excellence!

We had the opportunity to tour not only the brand new Center of Excellence headquarters, but we also got an in depth look at some amazing new buildings and renovations going on in Syracuse's Near West Side neighborhood, home to one of the first LEED-ND neighborhoods in the country.

Special thanks to Ana Fernandez, Brian Key, Dan Queri, Jacob Brown, and Mike Hughes.


Photo courtesy of the Syracuse Center of Excellence. The building is located just north of Interstate 81, convenient to downtown Syracuse amenities as well as Syracuse University. Is is home to not only the CoE, but several other tenants with local green initiatives.


Syracuse CoE


Syracuse CoE interiors


Interior of Near West Side home under construction in the new LEED neighborhood.


Interior of another Near West Side home under construction in the new LEED neighborhood.


Interior of Near West Side home under construction in the new LEED neighborhood.


The newly renovated Lincoln Supply Warehouse is designed to acheive a LEED Gold rating. While the project requires removing the majority of the 100-year old structural beams, many are being reused to create one of a kind benches elsewhere in the city. The project is slated to be completed in summer 2010.


A view inside the top floor of the Lincoln Supply Warehouse with its newly installed steel beams.

New: Sustainability Quarterly!

The former montly e-newsletter of 3 Design Consulting has now become a quarterly piece, aimed at serving our community better with the most up to date information on what matters most. Our Sustainability Quarterly Report covers various topics relating to sustainable architecture, conservation landscaping, LEED / sustainable products, LEED in specifications, industry related financial and business news, and green tips.


Now check out archived issues of the newsletter at our blog:
www.3designconsulting.blogspot.com

LEED for Neighborhood Development: The New Kid on the Block

Images: (left) The Yards, Washington DC; (middle) Benedict Park Place, Denver, CO; (right) Mueller neighborhood, Austin, TX.


By Jill Bellenger, ASLA | CPH

Forget about keeping up with the Jones', it was the Green's that dominated residential trends in 2009. With about two dozen pilot projects now certified at various levels in the LEED for Neighborhood Development as of December 2009, the future of neighborhood design and planning is looking even greener.

In a way, it's an attempt to return to the days before the automobile ruled the road and became the most influential component in city and regional planning. Way before it was possible for a New Yorker to sample fruit from South America, spices from India, and fish from the Pacific Ocean without leaving their town. The LEED-ND program is championing the effort to revive concepts of community connectivity, living and purchasing locally, and working where you live.

Whether you call the East coast or West coast home, or somewhere in between, there are LEED-ND neighborhoods taking shape somewhere near you.

The Yards, located in southeast DC along the Anacostia River, is the district's newest riverfront destination. Earning its LEED-ND Gold certification and currently in development, The Yards is a 42-acre mixed-use neighborhood complete with retail, restaurants, housing, office space, and parks. And it's all within walking distance of some of D.C.'s biggest landmarks, like Nationals Ballpark and Capitol Hill.

"We are thrilled to be included in the LEED ND program and were very happy when we achieved our Stage 2 Gold certification," says Ramsey Meiser, Senior Vice President of Development at Forest City Washington. "We believe this accomplishment will be helpful as we market The Yards to our office, retail, and residential users."

The Mueller neighborhood in Austin, Texas is the largest of the certified LEED-ND projects, at 704-acres comprised of residential, retail, and the first hospital in the world to receive a LEED Platinum certification, all located on the site of the former Austin airport.

In a recent press release, Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC president, CEO & founding chair stated, "LEED for Neighborhood Development goes beyond individual green buildings and focuses on community-wide design and development. By achieving stage-2 LEED Silver certification for its plans, the Mueller community has designated itself as a community leading the way for the development of smarter and healthier communities throughout the U.S., saving families money while nurturing their health."

Catellus Developing Group joined the City of Austin to manage the development of Mueller. "Sustainable design, whether in stores, offices, homes or parks, must incorporate environmental, economic and lifestyle considerations in order to be successful in this day and age," said Greg Weaver, managing director for Catellus. "These considerations are plentiful throughout Mueller as it exists today, and we're just getting started."

Affordable housing is also raising the green standard with neighborhoods such as the Benedict Park Place in Denver, Colorado, earning its LEED Gold certification. The neighborhood is an award-winning residential complex that succeeds in connecting working-class residents to downtown Denver, midtown and other neighborhoods while providing a safe and sustainable atmosphere.

"The LEED-ND Pilot program has proven to be a very rewarding process for us that was complementary to our development of affordable housing," says Ryan G. Tobin, Esq., Development Program Manager at the Denver Housing Authority and the Owner's Rep for Benedict Park Place. "It has served as a resource and framework by which we have embraced and will continue to utilize in our planning efforts now and in the future."

In a statement from USGBC, Meghan Bogaerts explains, "USGBC is very pleased with the results of the LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) pilot program, which has provided us with a wealth of information about the pilot system's real world application over the last few years. The soon to be released LEED-ND 2009 rating system, which is posted publicly on our website, is undeniably stronger than the previous version because of the invaluable feedback we received from pilot project teams.

"With regards to what the future will hold for the program, Bogaert continues, "We expect to open project registration for the rating system in 2010, and have already received a steady stream of inquiries from project teams eager to register. Moreover, 2010 is shaping up to be an exciting year as we develop additional resources for project teams and local governments, enabling them to accomplish their sustainability goals through LEED for Neighborhood Development."


For more information on these and more LEED-ND certified neighborhoods:
http://dcyards.com, www.muelleraustin.com/green, www.benedictparkplace.com/ www.usgbc.org/leed/nd/


Send suggestions of case study projects to Jill Bellenger at jbellenger@3designconsulting.com

2009-2010: New Challenges and New Ideas

By Ed LeBard, Associate AIA | LEED AP+
With one of the most trying years in the construction industry officially in the books, the USGBC announced significant marks and changes throughout the LEED community. This article summarizes these points that will greatly impact the rapidly growing green construction arena.

- 27,373 people attended the GreenBuild conference in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11-13, 2009.*

- From 2000 through 2008, according to USGBC, there were 2,238 LEED-certified projects. A record 2,090 projects achieved certification in 2009. That translates to 49% of all certifications in LEED's 9 year history occurring during the last 12 months with the overall tally now at 4,238 certified projects. *

- As of December 5th, 2009, 4,238 LEED projects out of 26,385 registered achieved certification, a success rate of 16.0% . This is an improvement over the 12.6% success rate achieved from 2000 - 2008.*

1) LEED project registration fees will double by January 11, 2010:(from www.gbci.org)**
Current Registration Fees: Effective through January 10, 2010
- USGBC Members: $450
- Non Members: $600

Project Registration Fees:
Effective on January 11, 2010
- USGBC Members: $900
- Non Members: $1,200

2) LEED project certification fees will increase substantially by January 11, 2010:
(from www.gbci.org)**
Green Building Certification Institute - LEED Registration and Certification Fees

3) The US Green Building Council also introduced the latest LEED rating versions - LEEDv3 for the following ratings:
- LEED - BD+C (New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Healthcare*, Retail*)
- LEED - EBO&M (Existing Building Operations and Maintenance, Existing Schools*)
- LEED - ID+C (Commercial Interiors, Retail Interiors*)
- LEED - ND (Neighborhood Development -release date sometime in 2010)*

*under development or in pilot

4) For LEED APs accredited since 2000 (version 1.0 through version 2.2), they are given several options:
1) Do nothing and automatically become a Legacy LEED AP without specialty in the LEED Professional Directory
2) Sign up onto the new Credential Maintenance Program requirements (CMP) by 2011 (or 2 years after your exam) and fulfill roughly 30 continuing education units in 24 months. Enrollment must occur during your enrollment window,
3) Become a LEED AP with Specialty by passing one of the new specialty exams. Current LEED APs would only take 1 exam (specialty part of the exam). When applying for the exam, you will need to sign onto the disciplinary policy and agree to the CMP. Once you pass the exam, you may use one of the new specialty designations (BD+C, EBO+M, ID+C) after your name.
4) If your enrollment window expired without updating to LEED AP with specialty, and you decided to update, you must apply and take both the LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) exam as well as the specialty exam. The fees for both exams, plus 2 year CMP fee, can total over $800.

5) LEED APs and the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP)
According to the USGBC and GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute), as of Jan 1, 2010, roughly 11.1% of 135,000 LEED APs worldwide have signed onto the new CMP program and will take the specialty exam to become LEED AP+. The low number of signees indicates that current LEED APs are uncertain of the direction of the USGBC's credential program and many blogs / social sites are filled with LEED APs protesting the increasing exam fees, 2 year maintenance fees, multi-layered requirements. There seems to be a minor backlash brewing in that regard.

If a LEED AP wants to add a specialty, the requirements are that to earn 30 continuing education hours (CEUs) in 2 years, those 30 are split into 7 specific categories. Each category has a minimum number of required hours. For instance, "project site factors" requires 4 hours, "project systems & energy impacts" requires 6 hours.

Once the LEED AP pick from the categories, the format then requires them to be specific as to what sub-category the hour focused on. These categories were briefly touched upon in the CMP guide but not explained in more depth. They do not mention the LEED AP would be forced to earn credits in all of these categories. Also, the GBCI allows some CEUs earned to satisfy professional licensures (i.e. AIA, ASLA, CID) rollover to satisfy LEED AP CMP requirements.

If the LEED AP wants to have more than 1 specialty, the LEED AP would have to fulfill CMP for each specialty. The LEED AP would select the primary specialty and maintain 30 hours of CEUs, while the secondary specialty would be fulfilled by an additional 6 hours of CEUs, which would bring the total of CEUs to 36. The CMP fee would still be $50 per specialty.

For people interested in becoming a new LEED AP candidate must have experience in the form of documented professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer verification. Candidates are also required to agree to the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy and Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) and submit to an application audit.

6) The Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) and Continuing Education Units (CEU)
GBCI approved CEU courses are few and far between. More courses will become available as the CMP system evolves. Some ways to earn CEU hours are to view USGBC webinars, author published reports, and work on a LEED registered project. GBCI specified that for each credit you personally complete and upload documentation for, you can get 1 CEU hour, and get up to 10 hours using this method.

Other methods listed by the GBCI are: Professional development/continuing education courses, college courses, self-study (up to 5hrs), committee and volunteer work at events, and authorship.

So between project work, volunteer work, and study hours, the LEED AP can get some free or cheap CEU hours over the 2 year time period.


7) The Numbers Behind the LEED AP Directory:
The GBCI directory listed the following as of Jan 1st, 2010:
- Everyone (GA, AP, and AP w/ Specialties): 126,939
- LEED APs without specialty: 109,249
- LEED APs with specialty 'only': total of 13,680 (11.1% of all LEED APs have a specialty)
- LEED AP BD+C : 11,839
- LEED AP ID+C: 1,078
- LEED AP O&M: 583
- LEED AP for Homes: 180
- LEED AP ND : Beta Exam currently underway
- LEED Green Associates: 3,550


Citations
* www.usgbc.org (US Green Building Council)
** www.gbci.org (Green Building Certification Institute)

Sustainability in the News

1) Austin Climate Protection Conference & Expo (January 15 & 16, 2010) http://www.austinclimateexpo.com/


2)USGBC Maryland - 5th Annual Awards Celebration (January 28, 2010)
http://chapters.usgbc.org/baltimore/index.html


3) China adapts law to boost energy renewable industry (Article dated Dec 26, 2009)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/


BEIJING: China's national assembly Saturday signalled the country's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by adopting a law supporting its renewable energy industry.

The new law, an amendment to one on renewable energy adopted by the National People's Congress standing committee, obliges electricity grid companies to buy all the power produced by renewable sources.

It also empowers the State Council's energy department, the electricity regulatory agency and its finance departments to determine the amount of renewable energy available in the country's overall power generating capacity.

Power companies will be obliged to take up all of that capacity, and those refusing to do so will be fined an amount up to double that of the economic loss of the renewable energy company, Ni Yuefeng, vice-president of the assembly's environmental affairs commission, told reporters.

The law was adopted after China was criticised for obstructing the adoption of a treaty on climate change during last week's international summit in Copenhagen.

The new law in fact showed China's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Ni said.

"The new law will help China reduce its emission of greenhouse gases in a voluntary manner," Ni told a briefing.

Green Tip of the Month

With the Christmas shopping season over and the country recovers from retail overload, it’s time to see how our favorite brands stack up when it comes to emissions, energy efficiency, and avoiding harmful ingredients and chemicals.

National Geographic has their own buying guide that’s extremely user friendly: www.thegreenguide.com, as well as my personal favorite and one of PC Magazine’s Top 100 Web Sites of 2009, the Good Guide, focuses on food, personal care, and toys. www.goodguide.com