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LEED Green Associate
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Exam Preparation
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LEED Process a
Bosco Verticale - boeri studio
milan italy
Why “Green”, Sustainable Buildings ?
• Construction has a very high environmental
impact on land

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• Buildings consume a lot of energy, and thus

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are associated with considerable CO2

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emissions

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natural resources

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• Indoor pollution in buildings can be

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considerable due to excessive chemicals
usage

• Water consumption by building occupants is

high
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Introduction to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)

• A sustainability evaluation method and rating for buildings

• Developed by the USGBC

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• Launched in 1998 in the US

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• Inspired by the UK-equivalent BREEAM scheme which was developed in 1990

• LEED compliance is voluntary

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• Covers all types of buildings; New build vs. Refurbishments

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U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

• Non profit organization formed in 1993

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• Coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry
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working to promote buildings that are environmentally

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responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work

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Tiers

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LEED Green Associate

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• Green Associate demonstrates the

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candidate’s knowledge and sill in practicing

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green design, construction and development.

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• No eligibility but recommended to have

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exposure to LEED and green building concepts

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work experience prior to testing.

s • Must complete 15 continuing education (CE)

hours.

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LEED AP

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• LEED Associate Profesional signifies an

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advanced depth of knowledge in green

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building practices and specialization in a

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particular LEED Rating.

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• Prior LEED project experience is strongly

ad i recommended.

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continuing education (CE) hours.

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LEED Fellow

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• The most prestigious professional credential,

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recognizes renowned leaders who have

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significantly contributed to green building

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initiatives.

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• Candidates can be self nominated or

ad i nominated by a peer, they should possess a

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LEED AP credential for 8years.

s • Document 10 years of green building

experience

• Agree to become a nominee for LEED Fellow

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Introduction to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)

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s h a LEED version 4
+ 6 Innovation in Design credits
+ 4 Regional credits
Up to 110 available points
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LEED Categories

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Location and
Transportation

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Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy and
Atmosphere

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Indoor Innovation Regional
Material and
Environmental Priority Credits
Resources
Quality
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Introduction to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)

4 Regional Priority (4 credits)

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6 Innovation in Design (6 credits)

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100

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16 Indoor Environmental Quality (16 credits)

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80
13 Materials & Resources (13 credits)

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TOTAL

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100 credits

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60 + 6 ID

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33

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Energy & Atmosphere (33 credits) + 4 Regional

40

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11 Water Efficiency (11 credits)

20 10 Sustainable Sites (10 credits)

16 Location & Transportation (16 credits)

0 1 Integrative Process (1credit)

LEED-NC v4: Credit Category Proportion

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• Weighting and level of importance of a credit
depends on the credit’s ability to address various

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environmental and human health concerns

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• LEED awards the most points for strategies that

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especially promote increased energy efficiency and

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reduced C02 emissions.

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Introduction to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)

Main LEED Rating Systems

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Building Design + Construction for New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data

Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers, and Healthcare.

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•
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Interior Design + Construction for Commercial Interiors, Retail, and Hospitality

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Building Operations & Maintenance (same as BD+C, excluding New Construction, Core & Shell,

and Healthcare)

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Neighborhood Development

Homes for Homes & Multifamily Low-rise, and Multifamily Mid-rise

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 Credit Characteristics

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16 Prerequisites: Weighted Credits (Points):

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Mandatory for All LEED Ratings Cumulative for each LEED Level

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but none are mandatory

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DO NOT
Contribute to
Contribute to

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Overall Score
Overall Score

Note: Local rules ALWAYS take precedent over LEED Requirements

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A project must satisfy

• Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)

• ALL prerequisites

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• A combination of credits to receive desired certification level

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MPRs:

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• Must be in a permanent location
• Must use a reasonable LEED boundaries
• Must comply with project size requirements (BD+C >93 m2)

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LEED V4 Minimum Program Requirements (MPR)

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• Before registration, a project must comply with each MPR in order to achieve LEED certification

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• LEED Certificate may be revoked if non-compliance is found
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• MUST BE IN A PERMANENT LOCATION ON EXISTING LAND:

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All LEED projects must be constructed and operated on a permanent location on existing land. No

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project that is designed to move at any point in its lifetime (like boats & mobile homes) may pursue

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LEED certification.

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LEED V4 Minimum Program Requirements (MPR)

• MUST USE REASONABLE LEED BOUNDARIES:

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The LEED project boundary must include all

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contiguous (adjoining) land that is associated

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with the project and supports its operations.

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The LEED boundary may not unreasonably

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exclude portions of the building or site to give the project an advantage in complying with credit
requirements.

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• MUST COMPLY WITH PROJECT SIZE REQUIREMENTS:

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Project must include a minimum of 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of gross floor area, for
BD+C and O+M rating systems.

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Practice Questions
What is the proper designation for a project that has earned 80 points and met all
prerequisites?

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A. LEED Certified Gold

B. LEED Platinum

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C. LEED Gold

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D. LEED Certified Platinum
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Practice Questions
What is the proper designation for a project that has earned 80 points and met all
prerequisites?

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A. LEED Certified Gold

B. LEED Platinum

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C. LEED Gold

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D. LEED Certified Platinum
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Practice Questions
What is greenwashing?

A. Advertising a product or policy to be more environmentally friendly than it really is

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B. Changing local zoning codes to be greener

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C. Building green buildings in an industrial area

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D. The implementation of a green cleaning custodial policy

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Practice Questions
What is greenwashing?

A. Advertising a product or policy to be more environmentally friendly than it really is

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B. Changing local zoning codes to be greener

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C. Building green buildings in an industrial area

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D. The implementation of a green cleaning custodial policy

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Practice Questions
What is the point range for a project to earn LEED Silver?

A. 50-59

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B. 40-49

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C. 70-79

D. 60-69

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Practice Questions
What is the point range for a project to earn LEED Silver?

A. 50-59

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B. 40-49

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C. 70-79

D. 60-69

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Practice Questions

Which is not a Minimum Program Requirement?

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A. Compliance with project size requirements

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B. Commitment to sharing whole-building energy and water usage data

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C. Permanent location on existing land

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D. Reasonable LEED boundaries

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Practice Questions

Which is not a Minimum Program Requirement?

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A. Compliance with project size requirements

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B. Commitment to sharing whole-building energy and water usage data

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C. Permanent location on existing land

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D. Reasonable LEED boundaries

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Practice Questions
Economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility define a
project’s:

A. Triple Bottom Line

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B. Federal, state, and/or local regulations

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C. Minimum Program Requirements

D. Innovation

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Practice Questions

What term refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or

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function as identified within the LEED rating system?

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A. Minimum Project Requirement

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B. Credit

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C. Prerequisite
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D. Certification Requirement

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Practice Questions

What term refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or

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function as identified within the LEED rating system?

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A. Minimum Project Requirement

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B. Credit

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C. Prerequisite
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D. Certification Requirement

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 LEED ScoreCard

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 • Americans spend an average of
nearly 90% of their time indoors,

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according to the Environmental

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Protection Agency.

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Life Cycle of Built Environment

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• Think about the building in a holistic sense

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• Where building materials come from & where would

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they go after use?

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• What the energy and water sources are & how they

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affect the surroundings?

• How the users will get to and from the building?

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Life Cycle of Built Environment
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

• Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) is an

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informed choice of building materials

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and systems that minimizes the

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negative impacts of the building and

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land use on people and environment.

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materials and components, from their

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to their use, reuse, recycling and

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• Cradle to grave analysis

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Life Cycle of Built Environment
Life Cycle Cost (LCC)
Life Cycle Cost(LCC) analysis looks at cost
of Green buildings and advantages of
investing in more durable products and

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efficient building systems

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Expenses included in the analysis:

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• Hard Costs (paid to general & sub contractors

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and material suppliers)

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interests , insurance)
• Operating costs (energy, water, utilities and
personnel)
• Maintenance, repair and replacement
• Salvage value at end of building’s life
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Triple Bottom line
• ECONOMY
-Reduce Operating Costs
-Enhance Asset value and profits

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-Improve employee satisfaction & production

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-Optimize life cycle economic performance

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• ENVIRONMENT

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-Enhance & Protect

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-Ecosystems and Biodiversity

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-Conserve Natural Resources

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-Improve air & water quality

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-Reduce Solid Waste

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-Improve air, thermal & acoustic environments
-Enhance occupant comfort and health
-Minimize strain on local infrastructure
-Contribute to overall quality of life
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Conventional Building vs Integrative Design Approach

• Areas of opportunity for integration and synergy

throughout the design and construction process.

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• Input from all key stakeholders and members of the

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design team is essential before schematic design begins.

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70% of decisions associated with Environmental impacts

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are made during the first 10% of the design process!

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• Players involved:

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– Project Owner

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– Engineers

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– Commissioning Authority
– General Contractor
– Facilities Staff
– Building Users

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Practice Questions

WHAT ARE THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
OR THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL?

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A) ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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B) ECONOMIC THEORY, CULTURAL AGENDAS, AND GLOBAL VARIETY

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C) ENERGY EFFICIENCY, WATER EFFICIENCY, AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

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D) GOVERNMENT STANDARDS, BUILDING CODES, AND BUILDING PRACTICES

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Practice Questions

WHAT ARE THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
OR THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL?

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A) ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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B) ECONOMIC THEORY, CULTURAL AGENDAS, AND GLOBAL VARIETY

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C) ENERGY EFFICIENCY, WATER EFFICIENCY, AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

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D) GOVERNMENT STANDARDS, BUILDING CODES, AND BUILDING PRACTICES

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Practice Questions

What is the primary benefit of an integrated process?

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A. Achieving the highest LEED rating possible

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B. Maximizing opportunities for integrated, cost-effective adoption of green design and construction

strategies

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C. Reducing costs over traditional construction practices

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D. Obtaining local, state, and federal incentives for a green design and construction strategies

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Practice Questions

What is the primary benefit of an integrated process?

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A. Achieving the highest LEED rating possible

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B. Maximizing opportunities for integrated, cost-effective adoption of green design and construction

strategies

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C. Reducing costs over traditional construction practices

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D. Obtaining local, state, and federal incentives for a green design and construction strategies

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Practice Questions

What term refers to the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or

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service caused or necessitated by its existence?

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A. Durability analysis

B. Soft cost

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C. Life cycle costing

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D. Hard cost
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E. Life cycle analysis

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Practice Questions

What term refers to the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or

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service caused or necessitated by its existence?

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A. Durability analysis

B. Soft cost

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C. Life cycle costing

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D. Hard cost
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E. Life cycle analysis

Shadi Abou Samra

 LEED Online
• Required resource that project teams with registered projects use to manage the LEED
certification process.

• LEED online you can:

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Manage project details

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• Complete documentation requirements for credits and perquisites

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Upload supporting files

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•

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• Submit applications for review

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• Receive reviewer feedback

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Earn LEED certification ultimately

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•

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All required submittal templates and LEED management resources can be found within LEED
online.

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Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR)
• CIR used to clarify and needs to be addressed when:
• Unsure about particular requirements or if a particular strategy will help earn the

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credit

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• CIR is not free of charge - $220 per credit
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• A Project CIR can only be used by the project that submitted it.

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• Searchable Database of all previous CIR submitted for all projects  always useful to

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browse before submitting a CIR

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LEED Interpretations
• LEED Interpretations, just like Project Credit Interpretation Rulings (Project CIRs), are
official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project . But they

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are different from the CIRs in 3 significant ways:

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• Precedent-setting: can be used by any project certifying under the same rating

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system. (CIRs can only be used by the project that submitted it).

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• Published Online: LEED Interpretations will be published in a searchable database

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at usgbc.org. (CIRs are not published publicly)

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• Subject to consensus-based review: Reviewed by the USGBC member-selected

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volunteer LEED committees. (CIRs are created by the certification review teams at
the GBCI).

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USGBC vs GBCI

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USGBC Policies

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• LEED certification describes the certification process

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• LEED-certified describes a project that has been certified

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• LEED Certified describes a project that has been certified at the base level: Certified

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