LEED, though controversial, still dominates the world of sustainability rating systems. Photovoltaics and geothermal are gaining traction in high-performance projects. And many firms donât push clients very hard toward sustainability certification.
These are among the findings of an exclusive survey of BD+C readers in the architecture sector, conducted in October. More than 150 architects, mostly from the U.S., responded with data about their sustainable design practices. Since respondents were self-selected, itâs likely that they have more than a casual interest in the topicâas evidenced by the intensity of some of their comments. Though based on a sizable number of responses, results should be viewed as a snapshot rather than a statistically valid random sample.Â
In particular, the survey indicates that architects are seeking affirmation that the complex array of programs, systems, and tools at their disposal actually do result in more sustainable buildings. They want real value rather thanâin the words of one respondentââa lot of green bologna.âÂ
Through all the changes, LEED still leads
Fifteen years after its birth, LEED remains powerful, with 64% of respondents saying they have used the program to register or certify projects in the past 12 to 18 months. Energy Star for buildings is also fairly popular (28%). Usage of every other green-rating program we asked about was in the single digits, including Green Globes (8%), the National Green Building Standard (8%), the Living Building Challenge (6%), BREEAM (4%), and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (2%).Â
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Respondents have widely varied practices when it comes to client discussions about green rating systems. Only 3% said they routinely seek the highest possible certification level for all projects. A majority (62%) either donât push their clients or let clients lead.
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The familiar âweâre green but not certifiedâ refrain was shared by a high percentage of respondents. Nearly 25% said more than half of their projects achieve a fairly high level of sustainability (at least LEED Silver or equivalent) but do not complete green certification of any kind. Another 27% of respondents said that 25 to 49% of their work falls into the âgreen but uncertifiedâ category. The remaining respondents said that less than 25% of their work is âhighly sustainable but uncertified.â (This answer may include responses from those who are doing some âgreen but uncertifiedâ work, as well as responses from those whose work is not highly sustainable, period.)
The cost and complexity of LEED prompted a fair amount of spontaneous commentary. âThe ever-evolving LEED standards threaten to make them irrelevant in the face of more practical and readily understood design and construction programs,â said one reader. Another characterized the cost of long-term recertification requirements as âunsustainable.â (Nevertheless, about two-thirds of our respondents have continued to use the program.)
Green-rating systems, whatever their pros and cons, still represent a useful sustainability framework for many Building Teams and owners. To better understand architect-client interactions involving this issue, we asked respondents to select one of five statements reflecting their firmsâ typical engagement levels with rating systemsâfrom habitual to minimal (Figure 1).Â
Ready for v4? Not so much
We asked architects about their individual and firm-level involvement with LEED v4, still in its infancy. Though fewer than 10% of respondentsâ firms had participated in a v4 beta project or currently have a v4 project under way, 27% of respondents had taken the initiative to view a v4 webinar. Other individual activities include downloading the user guide (19%) and attending a related lunch-and-learn (12%) or USGBC chapter program (10%). However, 35% of respondents said they have taken no individual action to gear up for v4, and 45% said their firms have not taken action.
LEED v4 represents a major revision, not just a tweak, and pushback emerged in numerous comments. âI am concerned that a great many of the LEED credits are becoming so labor-intensive that the cost to the client for certification services will be prohibitive,â said one respondent. âThe amount of detail on materials content and so on will require the design firm to hire an outside specialist or create an in-house position specifically for that task, pricing actual certification above the reach of more common projects.â
The long-term measurement and recertification aspects of the program are also a concern for some architects. âAdding this burden to the design profession via certification programs or building codes is asking architects to be responsible for actions outside their skill set,â said one respondent.
Another reader, who termed v4 âa big challenge,â continues to support efforts to refine the standard. âI hope that the changes donât cause owners to give up on LEED. Passing LEED v4 was important; LEED must continue to be a leader in the world of green building.â
âWe donât push certification unless the client specifically brings it upâ was the most popular response (36%), followed by âWe encourage clients to pursue certification but let them take the leadâ (26%) and âWe pursue all projects to at least a minimum level, whether or not the client requests itâ (21%). Only 14% of respondents said they âactively encourage clients to pursue certification, and challenge them to consider the highest possible certification levels.â
One respondent said, âI see the trend as expecting professionals to design to a specific sustainability goal, but not to spend precious money certifying.â
Even as LEED continues to evolve, it remains voluntary. Not so with several new green standards (or major revisions) that are likely to be incorporated in building codes. We asked readers how the International Green Construction Code, the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 would affect their practice. Sixty-three percent of respondents predicted âsome changes,â while 29% said there will be little immediate impactâin other words, business as usual. However, 8% expected the new standards to cause significant changes in their practice.
One respondent who derided certification as âuseless P.R.â was more enthusiastic about these consensus standards, saying âcode requirements and common sense will make the profession work toward better, more efficient buildings.â
Venerable labels trusted for sustainable products
Product selection is an important aspect of sustainable design. We asked respondents which of 15 green-product certification systems they use most often in their daily work. The time-honored Energy Star (74%) and UL (51%) ratings were by far the most frequently chosen. Forest Stewardship Council (37%) and Greenguard (33%) certification are also fairly popular (Figure 2).
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Many architects are increasingly concerned about the potential environmental and health impacts of the products they specify. Environmental product declarations and health product declarations are at least âsomewhat importantâ to more than 50% of respondents, with 11% terming them âextremely important.â However, 23% said theyâre unfamiliar with EPDs and HPDs.
âI feel that healthy building materials will be the biggest transformation in the industry for the near future,â said one respondent. âThis will be driven in the industry by LEED v4, but also, a general awareness of harmful substances has taken hold. Look at the new ingredient transparency policies being put into place by Walmart and Target. As designers, what liability do we incur with the knowledge that comes with material transparency?â
Net-zero and beyond
Some Building Teams and owners no longer see âsustainableâ as a big enough goal. Instead, theyâre striving for high-performance buildings that have minimal detrimental effects on the environment and maximum benefits for occupants. A dizzying array of targets exists, including net-zero energy, net-zero water, net-zero waste, net-plus, net-zero-ready, and zero-net-energy.
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Of 15 green-product certification systems, Energy Star was the most popular, used frequently in daily work by nearly three-fourths of respondents. Five of the systems (BIFMA and ANSI/BIFMA, Cradle to Cradle, NSF Environmental Claims Initiative, Pharos Project, and Scientific Certification Systems) were used by fewer than 10% of respondents.
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About 80% of respondents said they have not yet done any projects in such a high performance category. The remainder said theyâve done one or two, with only a couple saying theyâve tackled more than five. âThe buzz is net-zero, but I think itâs a long way off from becoming universal or easy to obtain,â said one respondent.
In most cases, a combination of advanced strategies is required to get to net-zero, or anywhere close. Technologies once considered cutting-edge have now become commonplaceâespecially high-efficiency HVAC, water-conserving plumbing, and daylightingâand architects are exploring new tactics.Â
Figure 3 summarizes the relative popularity of emerging technologies. Roof-mounted photovoltaics were the clear winner, with 46% of respondents saying theyâd used them on a project in the past 12 to 18 months. Also popular are geothermal (43%), demand-controlled ventilation (35%), and advanced cladding systems (33%). The relative lack of consensus around most emerging technologies may reflect climate and project-type differences, as well as respondentsâ lack of familiarity with some technologies.
According to one respondent, techniques for making the building envelope more efficient are âcoming to the forefrontâ in green design, abetted by code changes. âWe are already seeing maximum air infiltration values in the IECC 2012 energy code, and the concept is now ingrained in the IgCC as well. Whole-building air-infiltration testing and extra scrutiny on construction techniques and tightness to the envelope will become the norm.â
Several respondents see renovation and O&M as priorities for a more sustainable built environment. âThe systems and products that apply to new buildings usually are not applicable to existing structures, especially those with historic value,â said one reader. âThis is a challenge for owners, designers, engineers, and manufacturers.â
Another said, âWe need to embrace the notion of controlling the implementation of energy strategies, rather than pushing that task off to the MEP engineers or ESCOs. Mastery of energy-modeling tools can put the architect in the lead as the strategist for energy retrofits, and hopefully result in holistic improvements.â
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Of 16 âadvancedâ green strategies used by respondents in the past 12 to 18 months, roof-mounted PV systems and geothermal were the most popular. Passive ventilation, an old principle, is making a comeback.
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