LEEDing THE WAY Future Forward By Thomas Taylor While mandates and laws may not always bring


people to your side, incentives may. A variety of government entities provide incentives as well as subsidies for energy efficiency and other sustainable initiatives. Utilities often use incentives as a part of their strategic plan for smart, controlled growth.


The last two LEEDing the Way columns ex- plored the changes in store for us with the LEED 2012 (now called LEED v4) rating systems. The evolution of LEED continues, as do general ideas about sustainability, green projects and high-performance buildings. With the recent recession and our country’s slow climb back to economic prosperity, many of us have been offered the opportunity to reevaluate what we need personally, professionally and even when it comes to green projects.


There may not have been a complete shift in


our American culture, but we have certainly become more accepting of things that once may have been considered foreign for some. Countless reality televi- sion shows and Internet sites are devoted to DIY renovating, appreciating past relics and making old things new again. Now shopping at thrift stores is trendy, and many of us are constantly on the hunt for the perfect vintage find at a garage sale. In this constantly evolving environment of change, we will provide some food for thought regarding what the future of sustainability may hold for us.


MANDATES AND INCENTIVES At the end of 2011, 14 federal agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services and the Interior, had requirements for utilizing LEED. In addition, 45 states and 384 municipalities required some level of LEED certifi- cation. Not only is LEED being discussed in the ad- vocacy circles, other rating systems are beginning to be utilized or considered; with many, particularly ANSI-accredited standards, being looked at as alternatives to LEED.


PUSHING THE ENVELOPE Design and construction teams, especially during conceptual and schematic design development, are beginning to embrace some divergence from doing business as usual. Strategies that would never have made it to a conceptual design meeting a decade ago are now being considered and discussed. Spe- cialized consultants with a biology or anthropology background are now sometimes brought on early to maximize synergies between building systems, the surrounding area and how the occupants will use the future building. Teams are beginning to understand that forcing the same timeworn ideas onto every project building without considering the unique elements of its environment, occupants and systems, may not be the best or easiest path to a successful project.


LOOK TO THE PAST Many well-known ancient societies thrived in their built environments without the modern conve- niences we now take for granted. Greeks often built structures with wall openings facing south. Here in the United States, in what was is now Colorado, the Mesa Verde people built structures with large over- hangs blocking the harsh summer sun and allowing the winter daylight to reach the interior spaces. A strategy that is being introduced as the cutting-edge of sustainability is often just a reappearance of a tried and true historical technique. Metal, in addition to a variety of other com-


mon building materials such as concrete, glass and masonry, has shown over time that, when properly maintained, their durability and reusability are unsurpassed. These building materials provide strength and stability both during everyday life and under extreme circumstances. When we build, we must consider what the future may hold. Ideas like Universal Design, coupled with durable materi- als, may be the key to your project lasting through many generations—which is exactly what sustain- ability is all about.


Simply not using a product is the ultimate


form of sustainable materials use. For example, a polished concrete floor may be perfectly suitable for many projects instead of installing carpet or other flooring over the concrete. Minimization of finish materials reduces first costs as well as maintenance costs throughout the life of the project.


PARADOX OF EFFICIENCY Technology is constantly changing and moves forward in leaps and bounds. Equipment is often outdated by the time we get it home or installed in the project. Higher-efficiency products often encour- age us to use or consume more than we did before. How often have you discarded a perfectly good cell phone to get the latest and greatest version? While the first costs must be evaluated, project teams need to explore the latest technology and compare it to current “state-of-the-shelf” equipment. Will an owner’s greater investment now pay off in an ac- ceptable period of time?


CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS LEED and the variety of versions that can be uti- lized for sustainable projects are one way to keep everyone on the same page. However, much of a project’s success depends on the critical conversa- tions owners have with their key stakeholders prior to engaging a design team. Those conversations evolve over time with the needs of owners and stakeholders, which should remain as the driving force in the building market. Conversations about sustainable buildings often involve the term “best practices.” But if teams utilize their “best prac- tices” as a matter of course—as we should be— what defines our “next practices” for the future? The evolution of LEED and sustainable building is moving away from, “Why did you build green?” to “Why didn’t you build green?”


Thomas Taylor, a 30-year veteran of the construc- tion industry and noted expert on sustainability, is the general manager of St. Louis-based Vertegy. His recent book, “Guide to LEED 2009: Estimating and Preconstruction Strategies,” provides step-by-step information about the LEED 2009 for New Construc- tion process. To learn more about Vertegy or Taylor’s new book, visit www.vertegyconsultants.com for more information.


www.metalarchitecture.com July 2012 METAL ARCHITECTURE 9


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