With the start of the Houston Rockets 2010-2011 season upon us, I felt it was important to help them remind the public of their commitment to LEED. Back in July of 2010, the marketing blitz told us all about how Toyota Center was now a LEED certified building. Good for them.Tad Brown, Rockets CEO stated:“This certification serves as validation that our aggressive approach to energy management, recycling and waste reduction programs have made a difference here at Toyota Center and in our community. Toyota Center has a unique opportunity to serve as an industry leader in the future of sustainability. We are operating in a more environmentally conscious manner and educating the millions of patrons that attend Toyota Center events each year regarding ways they can help.”

Fresh Houston Rockets Season – Fresher Indoor Air? is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, recently built an amazing building. In fact, the 3 helipads, health spa and 6 story parking garage mean that it’s a tier one green building with quite a list of amenities. Here’s the kicker: it’s Mr. Ambani’s home. Read more about it in the Houston Chronicle.

$1 Billion Green Building in India is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

Congrats to the new largest educational recipient of the LEED Platinum designation. The St. Olaf Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences has been granted the highest level available from the respected Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The nearly 200,000 sq ft facility cost nearly $63 Million.For more info, you can read St. Olaf’s press release here.

LEED Platnium is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

•    Set a clear environmental target.  Before you begin the design phase of your project, decide what level of LEED® certification you’re aiming for and settle on a firm overall budget.  Also, consider including an optional higher certification target — a “stretch” goal — to stimulate creativity.

•    Set a budget that is clear, concise and adequate.  If you’re reaching for a higher level of certification, such as Platinum, additional expenditure will be required.  Budget for these extra steps accordingly.

•    Stick to your budget and your LEED® goal.  Throughout out the design and building process, be sure your entire project team is focused on meeting your LEED® goal on budget.  Maintain the environmental and economic integrity of your project at every turn.

•    Engineer for Life Cycle Value.  As you value-engineer your project, examine your green investments in terms of how they’ll affect expenses over the entire life of the building.  Before you decide to cut a line item, look first at its relationship to other features to see if keeping it will help you achieve money-saving synergies, as well as LEED® credits.  Many energy-saving features allow for the resizing or elimination of other equipment, or reduce total capital costs by paying for themselves immediately or within a few months of operation.  Prior to beginning, set your goals for “life cycle” value engineering rather than “first cost” value engineering.

•    Only Hire LEED®-accredited professionals.  Thousands of architects, consultants, engineers, product marketers, environmentalists and other building industry professionals around the country have a demonstrated knowledge of green building and the LEED® rating system and process — and can assist you in meeting your goal.  These professionals can suggest ways to earn LEED® credits without extra cost, identify means of offsetting certain expenses with savings in other areas, and spot opportunities for synergies in your project.

Tips for Getting LEED® Certified is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

The site of the former Pearl Brewery is at the center of San Antonio’s green commitment.  The exciting project is well positioned to garner national attention and plenty of local interest as Artistic Builders sets about accomplishing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification.  At the core of the reconstruction project is the Full Goods Building, which will occupy 67,000 square feet of spectacular office space as well as an aggressive packaging and shipping facility.Artistic Builders is utilizing a related company, Capco Steel, to provide the light-gauge steel framing, metal-clad wall systems and specialty steel and structural fabrication for the highly visible project.  The commitment to sustainable construction has been challenging but is the only way to go for San Antonio and the Pearl complex.To achieve LEED® certification, the Pearl design called for a minimum of 75% of the project’s waste to be recycled.  The Full Goods site has charged a subcontractor to assist with this phase.  All wood, drywall, cardboard and similar waste is sent to the subcontractor’s site where recyclables are separated.  Materials are then ground into powder for recycling.  Steel waste is recycled as scrap by Capco.  Artistic Builders estimates that through the recycling effort, 80% of site waste has been diverted from local landfills.Full Goods subscribes to the U.S. Green Building Council’s mandate that sustainable construction should serve to benefit employees and surrounding neighbors.  The company has focused on interior air quality.Only adhesives, paints and solvents with low-volatile, organic-compound ratings have been used.  This specification was developed in the LEED® design process and will assist with elevating the interior air quality.  During the construction process, all ducts have been capped to better protect the system from construction dust.Artistic Builders has been impressed with the LEED® guidelines for green building materials.  At the Pearl, 50% of the wood is required to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and must come from areas that engage in re-foresting.  The builder is required to document the wood’s allocation as well as history.The USGBC has learned that accountability has become a large part of the green construction movement.  With the many financial incentive initiatives accompanying green projects, tracking has become a critical part of the LEED® rating system.

San Antonio’s Pearl Brewing Green Magic is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

It may not look green.  It may not feel green.  It may not even sound green, but everything about the USGBC’s headquarters is green.  The U.S. Green Building Council’s new corporate headquarters in Washington D.C. is a sparkling example of sustainability and goes to prove that sustainability does not preclude crisp, new age style.The first two items you might notice could well be the spiffy terrazzo floors and the glass over glass over glass airy look.  The walls are crisp and white and feature 500 year old salvaged wood timber.Design has been created by environmentally sensitive Envision Design and complies with the USGBC’s “ideas-and-ideals into action” program.  Envision Design is one of the foremost Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) design in the country.Washington-based Envision Design was co-founded by Kendall Wilson and partner Diana Horvat.  Their first project was the Greenspeace headquarters in 1999.  At that time, green design was more conceptual than practical.  The growth of Envision Design parallels the growth of the sustainable movement and the expansion of the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system.The sustainable movement took public endorsements from environmental spokespersons Al Gore and Ed Mazria and turned downwind.  LEED® and the USGBC had been the major players in establishing benchmark sustainability standards ever since.In 2005, the USGBC celebrated the registration of one thousand projects.  In 2008, more than 9,000 projects were LEED® registered.  Actually, the first green standards program was the UK’s Building Research Establishment Assessment Method.  The USGBC’s LEED® original program caused architectural angst and was far from perfect, like the sustainable movement itself.  However, the council willingness to engage, observe and adjust has established the LEED®’s leadership role.“LEED® really upped the ante for green building.  Everyone complains about LEED®, but there’s no debate that it has been transforming in terms of demand,” said Wilson.  The new USGBC headquarters is worth a visit and well worth a tour.  Where else will you see lighting that consumes less than half a watt per square foot?

The USGBC – Leading by Example is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

Since 2005, only 10 congregations have received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. However, there is hope! Currently, there are 54 congregational LEED® certification applications before the council.Applications have been accepted from many religions, including Roman Catholic, Judaism, Methodist, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Wesleyan and Lutheran. The most recent certification was for a $9 million synagogue project in Evanston, Illinois. The certification was issued in September, 2008, and the congregation opened the doors in February.Rabbi Brant Rosen explained the direction of the country’s first green synagogue; “It was about making a sacred statement. If we were going to talk the talk, we needed to walk the walk. The whole process forced us to look at our values in a deeper way.” The synagogue was planned by members who believed this was the time to reflect their belief that God calls them to be responsible stewards of the earth.In addition to a deep sense of environmental and social responsibility shared by many parish members, churches are also finding sound economic reasons to go green. Buildings of worship can reasonably expect a 30% reduction in energy costs. Currently, only 2,000 of the 310,000 houses of worship in the U.S. are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Congregations program.At the 27,000 member Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, executive pastor Mike Buster reported that implementing the Energy Star Congregations to cut the $2 million bill for gas and water in half. “We are to be good stewards of our resources, our financial resources as well as the Earth’s resources. We take the dollars we were spending with utility companies and now spend them on ministry and missions.The Reverend Elaine Strawn of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County in Wooster Ohio added, “We are caretakers. It’s about respecting other life and trying to reduce our impact so future generations have some Earth left to live on.”What these congregations are finding is that green habits developed inside the parish are re-enacted at home. Many parishioners actively embrace the green movement and pas sit on to children and friends. That is the point, isn’t it?See http://www.greenefficient.com/creationcare/ for more information.

Religions Going Green is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

Nestle Waters North America’s Nestle® Pure Life® newest water bottling facility in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification on June 5, 2009.  The facility is the first food and beverage manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania to receive the stellar Gold certification.Nestle Waters began utilizing the LEED® system in 2003 when it earned the first LEED® certification for a food and beverage factory in the United States for its operation in Stanwood, Michigan.  Company executives were so impressed with the environmental and social after effects, that all subsequent new facilities have aggressively pursued LEED® certifications.The Madison County, Florida, manufacturing plant achieved Silver rating in 2006.  The plant in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, gained a Silver rating in 2005 while the Cabazon, California, facility became the first food and beverage facility in the world to receive a Silver rating in the country in 2003.The Nestle plant in Hawkins, Texas, accomplished a Silver rating in 2004.  Presently, there are three Nestle North American facilities pending LEED® certification reviews.Nestle Waters is proud of its significant environmental achievements.  The company should be and so should the neighboring communities.  Since 2002, the Nestle Waters LEED® certified plants have conserved more than 9 million gallons of water and 1.5 million kwh of energy.  Carbon emissions at these plants have been reduced by 2.1 million pounds and waste has been reduced by a startling 216 million pounds.  108 tons of solid waste has been diverted away from landfills.The new Pennsylvania facility expects to conserve 220,00 galloons of water a year and save 9.9 billion BTU’s of energy each year.  That is enough energy to heat 125 homes in the area in the course of a year.These are admirable accomplishments and perfectly suited for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) goals.  The rating system strives to conserve energy and natural resources as well as improve the work environment.  Happy neighbors, happy employees and conscientious employers come together at Nestle Waters North America.

Nestle Waters Goes Green – Again! is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

The City of Rockwall is the county seat of Rockwall County, Texas.  Rockwall County is the smallest county in the state.  Don’t let Rockwall fool you.  There is a lot gong on in this city and in this county, which lies just east of Dallas-Fort Worth.  In fact, Rockwall County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.When Rockwall County began to expand, so did the local governance’s view of the future.  Concerned citizens like the quality of life in Rockwall.  When Rockwallians considered growth, they first looked to the future.  Development means change but as long as change is in the cards, it had to be positive change, change with a future.Planning boards in Rockwall have embraced the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system as a viable means to evaluate projects and ensure a healthy working and living environment in the fast-growing county and city.  As long as Rockwall was going to change, it was going to do it right!When Rockwall Toyota looked at its business plan, change was needed.  The responsible neighbor set about designing the first Gold certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) dealership in the world.  The commitment has been enthusiastically endorsed by Toyota who has referenced the facility in its national marketing media.The Gold rated dealership is a great place to work and a great place for customers to visit.  The minute customers come on site, they realize something is different.  From the waterless urinals to the floor mats of recycled and sustainable products, no green detail has been overlooked.Lobby cabinets are made of recycled agricultural waste, lights only turn on when the room is in use, electronic water controls regulate every faucet and solar power is used wherever possible.  Details?  The tile accents are made from recycled glass bottles!What LEED® certification taught Rockwall Toyota is that if you are serious about sustainability, think outside the box.  Owners need to become proactive in the design stages and then follow through as the construction take space.  When developers are thinking green and looking for sustainable enhancements, LEED® can help, but there are many regional considerations that can increase ratings.

Rockwall Toyota Cheers! is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog

Rubbermaid is the latest manufacturer to certify its products to the stringent Greenguard Children & Schools (SM) standard.  Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) is a leader in certifications of products for low chemical emissions and for products that improve indoor air quality.“We are excited to add Rubbermaid to our list of participating manufacturers.  It is great to see strong consumer brands like Rubbermaid recognizing the importance of providing better products for indoor environments,” said Dr. Marilyn Black, Founder of GEI.Safer and healthier indoor environments are what GEI is all about.  Recently, in an independent survey performed by Harris Interactive, 69% of interviewed consumers indicated a preference for products certified for indoor air quality.  As the green movement moves forward, building owners and occupants have become increasingly aware of the importance of indoor air quality.For Rubbermaid, the Greenguard certification represents a major effort.  The Greenguard Children & Schools Certification program screened Rubbermaid products for 10,000 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including phthalates and formaldehyde.  The Greenguard certification attests that Rubbermaid’s products have passed rigorous testing requirements and that they do not release potentially harmful chemicals into the indoor air.Rubbermaid Product Marketing Manager, Betty Schmal announced the certification; “Rubbermaid strives to provide the best products possible to consumers, and achieving Greenguard Certification is just one way we continue to demonstrate our corporate commitment to environmental stewardship.  We recognize consumers growing desire for green products and wanted to be on the forefront of offering healthy products for indoor environment.”Greenguard has currently more than 200 participating manufacturers in their certification program.  Other products include paint, mattresses, cribs and children furniture.  Greenguard is cooperating with the National Association of Home Builders and the National Green Building Standard as well as with the U.S. Green Building Council to identify suggested products.As these various certification programs work together, consumers will come to better understand the products most beneficial for their homes and offices.  Indoor air quality is a leading contributor to a healthy home and workplace.

Rubbermaid On Board is a post from: Green Efficient LEED Blog