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 7, 2019
Group focused on using AI for construction safety gains key members
Major contractors join partnership to share data to predict hazards, incidents.
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2019
Undisclosed ICC agreement with NAHB alleged to thwart more stringent efficiency codes
Homebuilders’ seats on ICC made it easier to block new provisions, report alleges.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2019
ASHRAE releases new version of energy efficiency standard for buildings
Standard 90.1 includes revisions of envelope, lighting, HVAC provisions.
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2019
Resiliency of a community’s housing stock can be measured according to new benchmark
Metric can help municipalities prepare for disasters.
Codes and Standards | Oct 31, 2019
FEMA, ICC release updated guide on integrating I-Codes into floodplain management regulations
Provides advice on satisfying requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Codes and Standards | Oct 30, 2019
ILFI releases new version of Living Building Challenge Framework for Affordable Housing
Document includes updated findings, case studies, new strategies for financing, designing, building affordable housing.
Codes and Standards | Oct 28, 2019
U.S. military demands landlords address health hazards in troop housing
Air Force threatens formal dispute process.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2019
ASHRAE design contest winners demonstrate building resilience
Model building, a city hall, could operate without utility service for two weeks.
Codes and Standards | Oct 22, 2019
Efficient material design, low-carbon concrete are critical to cutting GHG emissions in construction
Enhancing building utilization and reusing materials also aid carbon reduction.
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2019
Historic properties not exempt from Americans With Disabilities Act
Some exceptions do apply.