http://www.ohm-advisors.com - Gary Sebach, Principal and Director of Architecture for OHM’s new division, Bird Houk, explains green buildings. Gary answers the most common questions about green buildings, sustainability and LEED. Sebach also shares a simple six step approach to LEED.

1. Green
Buildings
March 12, 2010
Presenter Gary L.
Sebach, AIA, LEED AP Green Buildings.

2. Today’s Agenda
What are “Green Buildings” and LEED?
Cost & Benefits of LEED
Green Buildings.

3. What does it mean…
• Energy Efficient (High Performance)
• Low Impact on Environment
• low use of natural resources
• low waste of materials
Green Buildings.
• Improve Lives
• low exposure to unhealthy gases & materials
• improved air quality
• Improved indoor & outdoor environments

4. Typical Commercial Construction
Green Buildings.

5. Typical Commercial Construction
• 2 ½ pounds of solid waste / sq. ft.
into our landfills (136 million tons / year)
• Compare to 209.7 tons of Municipal
Green Buildings.
solid waste / year

6. Typical Commercial Construction
• Impacts natural, biologically diverse
habitats
• 40% consumption of raw materials per
year
Green Buildings.

7. Typical Commercial Construction
• It is estimated that businesses lose
$60-$400 billion annually
as a result of building-related illness
Green Buildings.

8. Why make a building Green?
• Reduced waste
• Improve indoor environmental quality
• Improve employee attendance
productivity, recruitment and retention
• Create a healthier environment
Green Buildings.

9. Why make a building Green?
• Reduce energy bills by 15% - 40% per
year
• Simple payback on initial cost in 3 to 10
years
Green Buildings.

10. The idea behind LEED
Green Buildings.

11. LEED
Green Building Rating System
• Purpose is to establish consistent,
measurable goals for Green Buildings
Green Buildings.
• Best Practices as mandated by the U.S.
Green Building Council
• 8%-10% of all new construction projects are
targeting LEED certification

12. Levels of Certification
Version 3 (2009)
Certified 40-49 points
Green Buildings.
Silver 50-59 points
Gold 60-79 points
Platinum 80-110 points

13. Balance!
Green Buildings.

14. Balance What?
Energy
Environment
Economics Health
Green Buildings.
Initial Cost Future Savings

15. costs and benefits of LEED
Green Buildings.

16. Cost of LEED
Construction Costs
average in add’l cost
Certified 2.5%
Green Buildings.
Silver 3.5%
Gold 3 – 5%
Platinum 4.5 – 8.5%

17. LEED Rule of Thumb:
Budget 3% hard costs
Green Buildings.
and an additional
1% - 1½% for soft costs
for LEED certification

18. Cost of LEED
Payback on LEED?
Energy Savings Annual Utility Savings Typical Payback
Certified 20 – 30% $ .50 / sq ft 3 to 5 years
Silver 30 – 35% $ .70 / sq ft 5 to 7 years
Green Buildings.
Gold 35 – 45% $1.00 / sq ft 5 to 10 years
Platinum 45 – 50% $1.20 / sq ft 10+ years
! NAIOP – commercial real estate development association
Recently disputed these numbers citing
higher costs and longer payback periods

19. Influence on Costs and
Credits
• Location
• Urban vs Rural
• Climatologically
• Local/Regional building codes and
Green Buildings.
zoning standards
• Available Resources
• Knowledgeable/experienced Design Team
• Knowledgeable/experienced Contractors
• Access to “green” products and recycling facilities

20. Approach to LEED
1. Conduct an Eco-Charette
2. Assign costs to “Yes” and “Maybe” credits
3. Research and finalize direction
4. Track the points and document
5. Submit to USGBC (after Design or
Green Buildings.
Construction)
6. Wait for ruling from USGBC

21. We’ve come a long way…
Green Buildings.

22. Green Buildings
Final Thoughts…
Green Buildings…
• REDUCE energy consumption
Green Buildings.
• REDUCE negative impact on our
environment
• IMPROVE the quality and health of our
indoor environments
• Should cost less to Own & Operate

23. Green Buildings
Final Thoughts…
It is estimated that the value of
Green building construction will be nearly
Green Buildings.
$60 BILLION
by next year

24. Green Buildings
Final Thoughts…
Every business day
$464 MILLION
Green Buildings.
worth of construction
registers with USGBC

25. Questions?
Green Buildings.

26. For more information
Gary L. Sebach, AIA, U.S. Green Building
LEED AP Council
614.418.0600, ext 26 www.usgbc.org
gsebach@bird-houk.com
Green Buildings.