Thursday, May 08, 2008

AIA Releases Study of Three Green Building Rating Systems

 

 

Report Examines Green Globes, LEED NC 2.2, and SBTool 07 in Relation to AIA Position Statement on Green Rating Systems

 

Contact: Scott Frank

202-626-7467

sfrank@aia.org

For immediate release:

Washington, D.C. – May 8, 2008 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07, and LEED NC 2.2) and assess their effectiveness in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement. In late 2007, the initial results were shared with the three groups whose systems were reviewed. After receiving feedback, the study was modified and further refined into the final report.

 

The purpose of this exercise is to offer analysis to both industry and the public as an opportunity to learn how three unique, creative and evolving green building rating systems resonate in various dimensions with the goals of the AIA position statement on sustainability and our goal to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030.

 

 

“This study is not a report card or ranking of the various standards,” said AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee. “The intent is to offer design and construction professionals an in depth review of the three systems with particular emphasis on areas for improvement in relation to more rigorous energy conservations requirements.”

 

 

“We reviewed these particular systems because they are the most broadly used in the U.S. market and they take a comprehensive approach to evaluating an entire building,” added AIA President Marshall Purnell, FAIA. “With new sustainability continuing education requirements in 2009 for AIA membership the results of this study can help better inform our members and the profession on green rating systems as they relate to our carbon reduction goals.”

 

Key findings:

 

Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes:

The system offers a broad based evaluation of projects in both the design process and based on environmental criteria. When used to certify a project, more stringent and specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance are needed, as these are the two areas that most influence carbon production.

 

U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED NC 2.2 system:

This is good example of a rating system which provides a measurement of environmental achievement. Continued developments in life cycle assessment, requirements for renewable energy or carbon reduction targets for certified projects will continue to make this system an effective resource for architects.

 

International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment’s SBTool 07:

SBTool 07 is a toolkit for designing a rating system. If used as a rating system providing certification, SBTool 07 would be stronger if there was an increase in the number of “required” items vs. those that are simply “encouraged” and required project documentation. Specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance would supply any rating system approach that comes out of SBTool 07 with performance-based requirements necessary for reaching carbon reduction goals.


About The American Institute of Architects

For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes.  
By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org/walkthewalk.  

 

 

CEFPI Wins USGBC Curriculum Recognition Award

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Scottsdale, AZ -- CEFPI’s School Building Week School of the Future Student Design Competition curriculum addressing national middle school math standards has won the USGBC’s inaugural Excellence in Green Building Curriculum Recognition Award. CEFPI was one of just six organizations selected from over 200 entries that competed for these coveted nationally recognized awards.

 

“This is a great milestone for us to be involved with the USGBC and the exemplary work they do in improving the quality of our schools. Our shared goals will transform the way schools are built, operated and maintained for our children in coming years,” said Merle Kirkley, REFP, President, CEFPI.

 

Recognition awards honor existing green building education projects, activities or programs that advance green building ideals of transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.

 

“This award is a testimony to our unparalleled efforts in advancing knowledge and awareness among children about the importance of healthy, high performance schools. We believe children need to be educated about advancing green building ideals so that we can ensure a better quality of life for future generations,” said John Ramsey, Executive Director/CEO of CEFPI.

 

The recognition awards were judged on demonstrated success, ability to be replicated, scope of influence, advancement of green principles within the educational community and the fostering of a collaborative or interdisciplinary approach. Grant proposals were evaluated on originality, collaborative or interdisciplinary approach, scope of influence, feasibility and the ability to be replicated. 

 

According to a news release issued by USGBC, Peter Templeton, Senior Vice President, USGBC said:  “USGBC launched this initiative to highlight the central role education plays in furthering the green building movement. The submissions we received showcase the range of institutions and organizations taking an active role in educating young people about green building and the Council is committed to fostering more growth in this arena.”

 

USGBC will establish a repository of the newly identified curricula and will develop a teaching resource database, which will serve to disseminate these programs nationally and facilitate contact among educators from a wide variety of disciplines.  In addition, an Educator Summit during the USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference in Boston on November 21, 2008 will showcase the winning curriculum.

 

 

The award-winning curriculum is available at:  http://sbw.cefpifoundation.org/competition.html