PROJECT MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING

CASES
CEE 3348a
LEED Construction Projects

Lecturer: Kevin McGuire P. Eng., M. Eng., PMP

Lesson 11

11/25/2022
What is LEED, and what do I need to
know about it as a civil engineering
student?
LEED – Definition and Raison d’Etre
 LEED stands for Leadership in Environmental and
Energy Design.
 Green building design has been around since the
time we were in caves.
 You would think that building design would be
inherently green, taking into consideration wind and
solar loads and designed in a manner to optimize
its integration into the climate where it will exist.
 However with the advent of heating and AC systems
in the 20th century, there was a dramatic shift in the
way buildings were designed.
Inception and Justification
 The LEED rating system, which we will learn
more about in this lecture, was first
established in 1998. The most recent new
construction (LEED-NC) version 3.0 was
introduced in 2009.
 The most recent rating system is a 110 point

system:
USGBC – The United States Green
Building Council
 The mandate of this organization is to register
green projects, accept green credit evidence,
and advise the credit is either “denied” or
“accepted” or “anticipated”.
 Their goal is to create buildings that use fewer
scarce natural resources, generate less waste,
and serve their occupants in a more user friendly
manner.
 USGBC also certifies “Accredited Professionals” in
LEED project development and implementation
via the designation LEED AP.
LEED-NC credit categories
1. Sustainable Sites (SS) – 26 points max
2. Water Efficiency (WE) – 10 points max
3. Energy and Atmosphere (EA) – 35 points max
4. Materials and Resources (MR) – 14 points max
5. Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) – 15 points max
6. Environmental Design (ED) – 6 points max
7. Regional Priority (RP) – 4 points max
Sustainable Site Credits
Water Efficiency Credits
Energy and Atmosphere Credits
LEED-NC Materials and Resource
Credits
LEED-NC Indoor Environmental
Quality Credits
LEED-NC Innovation in Design
Credits
LEED-NC Regional Priority Credits
This category promotes credits that have been
identified as important to a particular region
and are a priority for that region.

 6 credits have been identified for each zip

code as being available for project teams.
 Up to 4 credits may be achieved in this

category.
 Each of these credits is a priority for its

region.
Why are LEED buildings better?
 LEED buildings have better overall energy
performance
 LEED buildings provide greater financial

returns in the form of occupancy rates and

rental space rates.
 LEED buildings generate greater occupant

productivity
 LEED buildings allow for CO emission
2
deductions
Why manage LEED projects
differently? – Design Decisions
 To achieve certification LEED construction is far
more collaborative than traditional building
approaches.
 The design approach is by necessity more
systematic.
 There are unique documentation and
responsibilities for the design team.
 Computer generated models for energy
management, sunlight, and water consumption
are typically necessary. This is not traditional.
Why manage LEED projects differently?
– Construction Practices
 LEED building make impacts upon costs,
schedules, durations, as well as project
administration and contracts.
 Recycling construction waste and taking

measures to manage indoor air quality are

non traditional activities on construction
sites.
Why manage LEED projects differently?
– Building Operations
 Greater emphasis is put into managing a
building more cost efficiently.
 Greater emphasis is put into understanding

the operation of the building post occupancy,

often through a Building Automation System
(BAS)
 New policies related to smoking, recycling,

and alternative transportation may need to be

developed and implemented.
Why manage LEED projects differently?
– Team responsibilities
 Owners, contractors, consultants, and other
stakeholders have additional layers of
responsibilities compared to a traditional
project.
 Special consultants such as LEED consultants,

energy analysts, lighting consultants, IAQ

specialists and commissioning authorities
may need to be applied.
Why manage LEED projects differently?
– Documentation
 Clear documentation is required. Lack of a
clear direction regarding what is required by
whom and when can derail the certification.
 LEED documentation is not as onerous as

project teams often fear. In fact it can

simplify the process.
Green Building Certification Institute
(GBCI) LEED Certification Process
 Entire certification process completed
through the LEED online portal
www.leedonline.org
 GBCI utilizes 10 certification bodies
accredited to ISO 17021
 Certification bodies perform the support

documentation reviews and verification.

 Certification bodies at arms length from

applicant. GBCI is the interface.

(GBCI) Certification Registration
Process Overview
Application
preparation

Submit
application
construction application

construction application
Design application Combined

Combined Design and

design and
Split design and

Construction
and review

and review
Design Review application

Construction application Combined

design and
Construction
Construction review review

Certification
Split vs Combined Registration
 In a split review GCBI reviews the design phase
credits and lets the project team know which credits
are “anticipated” and which are “denied”.
 In a combined review documentation is not due until

the end of construction. One submission is the

advantage.
 In both cases credit is not given until the end of

construction.
 The advantage of the split system is the project team

gets to know the likelihood of achieving the credits

and also gives the team an opportunity to make
changes.
Cost to Register a LEED Project
(as of April 2010)

1. USGBC Members - $900

2. USGBC non-Members - $1200
Cost to Certify a LEED Project
(as of April 2010)
The LEED Project Team

1. Client, Owner, 8. Landscape architect

Developer, Developer 9. Facilities manager

rep. 10. General contractor

2. Architect 11. Interior designer

3. Civil engineer 12. Cost estimator

4. Structural Engineer 13. Green/LEED consultant

14. Energy simulation expert

5. Mechanical Engineer
15. Lighting consultant
6. Electrical Engineer
16. Daylighting simulation
7. Plumbing Engineer
expert
8. Commissioning authority
17. LEED Project Manager
Who can be a LEED PM?
 Being LEED AP (Accredited Professional) helps
but is not sufficient in the real world
 Ability to motivate people, explore solutions,

and facilitate processes is paramount

LEED PM Leadership scenarios

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

Scenario 3

The LEED PM is circled in each scenario

LEED Responsibilities Civil Engineer
on Project (Typical)
LEED Responsibilities LEED PM on Project (Typical)
LEED Project Management Milestones
Design Schedule Showing all Typ.
Milestones – LEED and Non LEED
Hold for chart p 68
Hold for chart p 130
Hold for chart p 166
Benefits of LEED PM Process
1. Facilitates Communication and
Collaboration
2. Ensures integration w Design
3. Facilitates integration with schedule
4. Improves efficiency of project delivery
LEED Best Practices
 Designate a Green Champion / LEED PM
 Load the front end of the design
 Optimize building design
 Optimize energy systems
 Utilize decision support tools
 Consider long term operational benefits
 Encourage cross discipline synergies
 Opt for GBCI split review
 Integrate LEED milestones in schedule
 Periodically review drawings and specifications
The Future of Green
 Advancements are expected on several
fronts:
1. Building Design and Construction
2. Building Technologies
3. Building Operations
4. Building Finance
5. Building Policies and Regulations
Green Future: Building Design and
Construction
1. Performance-based Design
2. Integrated Design Approach
3. Green Codes and Standards
4. Net Zero Energy Buildings
Green Future: Building Technologies
1. Advanced Energy Efficient Systems
2. Renewable Energy Systems
3. Smart Meters
Green Future: Building Operations
1. Post Occupancy Evaluation / Performance
Monitoring
2. Green Leases
Green Future: Building Finance
1. Life Cycle Costing
2. Power Purchase Agreements
Green Future: Building Policies and
Regulations
 Mandatory Green Building
 Performance Data or Green Label for

Buildings
 Net Metering / Smart Grid

 CO Emissions Tax
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