Beyond LEED for New Construction: Recommendations for Change Patrice Frey Director of Sustainability Research National Trust for Historic Preservation National Tax Credit Conference November 8, 2007

Beyond LEED for New Construction I. National Trusts Sustainability Initiative II. Overview of LEED-NC & Application to Historic Projects III. Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Improving LEED

I. The Sustainability Initiative Beyond LEED for New Construction

Buildings account for 36-48% of carbon emissions in the United States Buildings account for 36-48% of carbon emissions in the United States Green Building standards emerged as a way of encouraging environmentally sustainable building practices Green Building standards emerged as a way of encouraging environmentally sustainable building practices Less focus on greening existing buildings, more focus on greening new buildings Less focus on greening existing buildings, more focus on greening new buildings But…we cant build ourselves out of our climate problems But…we cant build ourselves out of our climate problems

Beyond LEED for New Construction Research : Research : –Quantify Benefits of Building Reuse vs. New Construction –Gather data about energy performance of historic buildings –Develop best practices for greening historic buildings Policy : Policy : –Working with USGBC to make standards more friendly to existing buildings –Supporting/enhancing state/federal historic tax credits –Local government policy –Building/energy codes –Comprehensive/ Sustainability Plans Image Courtesy of USGBC

Outreach: Outreach: –Preservationists –Green Building/Environmental Community –Homeowners/Historic building owners Internal Practices: Internal Practices: –Sustainable Preservation Bulletins for NTHP sites –Lincoln Cottage Visitors Education Center -- LEED-NC silver certification expected Lincoln Cottage Visitors Education Center Photo: David Overholt Beyond LEED for New Construction

II. LEED-NC: An Overview

Beyond LEED for New Construction LEED self described by USGBC as the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings LEED self described by USGBC as the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings Total of 69 points available under LEED-NC; 27 required to be certified. Can also achieve, silver, gold and platinum certification Total of 69 points available under LEED-NC; 27 required to be certified. Can also achieve, silver, gold and platinum certification Approximately 500 LEED-NC certified projects; 35+ historic projects Approximately 500 LEED-NC certified projects; 35+ historic projects Images Courtesy of USGBC

Beyond LEED for New Construction Sustainable Sites (14 credits) Sustainable Sites (14 credits) Site Selection Development Density Transportation Options Stormwater, landscaping Water Efficiency (5 credits) Water Efficiency (5 credits) Wastewater management Water Use reduction Energy & Atmosphere (17 credits) Energy & Atmosphere (17 credits) Improved energy efficiency RenewablesCommissioning Materials & Resources (13 credits) Materials & Resources (13 credits) Building reuse (1-3 pts) Building reuse (1-3 pts) Construction waste management Construction waste management Materials reuse Recycled Content Regional Materials Certified Wood Indoor Environmental Quality (15 credits) Indoor Environmental Quality (15 credits)Ventilation Low VOC Materials Indoor chemical and pollutant source control Controllability of systems Daylight, Views Innovation Points (5 credits)

Beyond LEED for New Construction Credits that favor existing/historic buildings Credits that favor existing/historic buildings –Site selection, development density –Brownfield credit –Alternative Transportation –Building Reuse (up to 3 pts) –Ventilation –Day lighting –Controllability of systems Cobb Building – LEED Silver, Seattle, WA

Beyond LEED for New Construction Historic Building Neutral Historic Building Neutral –Water Efficiency –Low VOC products –Construction Waste Management –Commissioning/Measure ment Verification –Green Power –Optimizing Energy Performance Project Dependent –Recycled Materials? –Local Materials? –Rapidly Renewable Materials? –Green roof? –Renewable Energy? Emily Carr House, Victoria, BC Courtesy: University of British Columbia

Beyond LEED for New Construction Unfavorable for Historic Buildings Unfavorable for Historic Buildings – Open Space requirement – Stormwater Management – Materials Reuse Ecotrust Building, Portland, OR – LEED-Certified Courtesy Masonry Magazine Vance Building, Seattle, WA – LEED certification anticipated

Beyond LEED for New Construction Sustainable Sites

Beyond LEED for New Construction Materials and Resources

Energy and Atmosphere Beyond LEED for New Construction

III. Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Improving LEED-NC

Beyond LEED for New Construction Preservation Metrics USGBC Overhauling LEED USGBC Overhauling LEED Next generation of LEED should focus on Sustainability – not just green Next generation of LEED should focus on Sustainability – not just green Two Categories of Preservation Metrics – LCA Based and Non-LCA Based Two Categories of Preservation Metrics – LCA Based and Non-LCA Based

Beyond LEED for New Construction Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) LCA is a means of evaluating environmental effects of building through every stage of life cycle, including extraction of resources, construction, operations and demolition LCA Accounts for: Energy Used Materials Used Pollution released Carbon Released

LCA- Based Metrics 1. Recognize reduced carbon footprint associated with building re-use 2. Recognize potential reduced carbon footprint associated with operations (incorporation of passive features) 3. Reward buildings with more durable components 4. Recognize/reward adaptability and life cycle flexibility of historic buildings Best way to capture these benefits is through transforming LEED into Life Cycle Based rating system Beyond LEED for New Construction Beyond LEED for New Construction Landfill Courtesy BPF windows Coal Plant Courtesy Enviroblog

Non-LCA Based Metrics 5. Recognize the sustainable context of historic buildings – historic buildings are often located in densely populated urban areas 6. Recognize the important contribution of historic buildings to social sustainability. Provide credit for recognized sites of architectural, cultural and social significance Beyond LEED for New Construction Delancey Street, Philadelphia Courtesy CNU Rowhouses, Washington DC

Non-LCA Based Metrics 7. Recognize the importance of social capital associated with historic buildings and neighborhoods 8. Recognize the high degree of individual controllability in historic and existing building, which promotes health and comfort Beyond LEED for New Construction Cherry Hill, PA Courtesy CNU Courtesy blog.kir.com

Beyond LEED for New Construction PreservationNation Beyond Green Building Blog