LEED certification criteria include site selection, pollution
prevention during demolition and building, protection and restoration of habitat, water use reduction indoors and out, green power, and use of regional materials to cut transportation fuel, road wear and air pollution.
and the environment, while being mindful of the budget,” remarks Scott Jones, of Denver’s Air Purification Com- pany. “This is the benchmark for future designs; on a larger scale, this model can be used for hospitals.”
Good for Business
The Plano, Texas, animal shelter, which was due for a comprehensive remodel- ing, is now LEED Silver certified. “We learned that the addition of a new wing could be done according to LEED standards, but we also had to make improvements to the existing struc- ture, so that the entire building was improved,” says Melinda Haggerty, the city’s sustainability and communica- tions coordinator. “This was a learning experience on all levels. We saw first- hand that you don’t need to sacrifice aesthetics for function. You can have a comfortable place to work while saving money.” The USGBC reports that build- ings of all types consume an average of 72 percent of the electricity gener- ated worldwide. That can be reduced by 24 to 50 percent with green build- ing practices. “It’s always important to emphasize the return on investment. It
might cost a bit more on the front end, but the benefits far outweigh the costs,” Haggerty advises. “Reduced energy costs, better water usage and healthy air quality contribute to a comfortable work space. Employees have pride in the facility, and that makes them more productive.”
In Middletown, Rhode Island, Christie Smith, executive director of the Potter League for Animals, remarks that after their old building was demolished, 75 per cent of the materials were re- cycled, repurposed or reused. Their new, LEED Gold-certified animal shelter was the first in the nation to be certified.
Bringing Benefits to Life
“There’s a conceptual moment when the dream comes together as a design idea. From that moment on, the ques- tion is: How much of the dream can you keep?” queries Myers. “These cities made LEED a priority, even when animal control projects may be at the bottom of the list. They recognize the synergy between caring for animals and caring about the planet; green design underscores the caring.” Sandra Murphy writes about pets and more for Natural Awakenings.
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