An executive with the Irvine Companies, owner of Symphony Tower, California’s first office building to receive a LEED Dynamic plaque in its recertification, says the work it took to achieve the designation was worth the effort.
Chris Popma told GlobeSt.com that earning the plaque was the result of environmental performance strategies that were measured for effectiveness over time. The rating agency examined total energy usage, total potable water usage for the whole building, total waste generated and diverted from the landfill, transportation surveys from customers, and other factors.
The building was already operating at high environmental performance levels, Popma said, so little additional work was needed. Irvine’s marketing strategy is linked to strong efficiency and sustainability performance, so reaching for the plaque made good business sense. Buildings that do not perform at high levels would require much more investment to achieve LEED Dynamic certification.
Previous LEED certifications gave points for having green items in place, but the green features may not actually be operating optimally. LEED Dynamic looks at the actual data of water and power consumption. The plaque’s performance score is continually updated.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2016
Mahesh Ramanujam takes reins as U.S. Green Building Council President and CEO
Ramanujam brings his tech and business consulting background to the post.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2016
Canada GBC launching Zero Carbon Buildings Initiative
First step toward Zero Carbon Building Standard.
Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2016
Santa Monica, Calif., passes historic net-zero ordinance
Includes more stringent commercial, multifamily building standards.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2016
Six more states approve legal marijuana, creating opportunities for developers
Federal prohibition complicates the picture.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2016
Los Angeles voters approve billions to tackle traffic and homelessness
The approved measures will create new rail lines and permanent housing.
Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2016
NRMCA updates environmental impacts of concrete
The EPD now includes 88 companies, 72 mixes.
Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2016
Louisiana flood projections require urgent action, officials say
The 'no net loss’ prediction now seems unrealistic.
Codes and Standards | Nov 8, 2016
American Concrete Institute offers new guide for repair of concrete buildings
The guide provides assistance on assessment and rehab.
Codes and Standards | Nov 7, 2016
The AISC prequalified seismic moment connection standard is now available
You can download the 2016 version for free.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2016
Obama Administration makes a push for denser, more affordable cities
The administration calls for zoning code changes and other measures to create more housing.
