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Construction Information » LEED, USGBC and Green BuildingLEED,
USGBC and Green BuildingLEED, USGBC and Green BuildingAccording
to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global
adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation
and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance
criteria. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for construction companies
to use in the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
Once construction is complete, LEED provides building owners and operators the
tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’
performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing
performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site
development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor
environmental quality. LEED rating systems are available for a variety of
new and existing commercial and residential buildings; the most relevant systems
for commercial construction companies are LEED-NC and LEED for Core and Shell. LEED
for New Construction - LEED-NC The LEED for New Construction Rating System
(LEED-NC) is designed to guide commercial construction companies and distinguish
high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings,
high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities,
manufacturing plants and laboratories. LEED-NC is applicable to new commercial
construction and major renovation projects, making it an important system to commercial
construction companies interested in green building. LEED for Core and
ShellLEED for Core & Shell is a green building rating system for designers,
construction companies, developers and new building owners who want to address
sustainable design for new core and shell construction. Core and shell covers
base building elements such as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. LEED for
Core & Shell is designed to be complementary to the LEED for Commercial Interiors
rating system, as both rating systems establish green building criteria for developers,
owners and tenants. The LEED for Core & Shell Rating System acknowledges
the limitations of construction companies and developers in a speculatively developed
building and encourages the implementation of green design and construction practices
in areas over which the developer has control. Commercial construction
companies and Developers can often implement green strategies that indirectly
benefit future tenants. Conversely, commercial construction companies and developers
can inadvertently implement strategies that prohibit tenants from executing green
fit-outs. LEED for Core & Shell works to set up a synergistic relationship,
which allows future tenants to capitalize on green strategies implemented by the
construction company and developer. How Does LEED Work?LEED is
a point-based system where construciton projects earn LEED points for satisfying
specific green building criteria. Within each of the six LEED credit categories,
projects must satisfy particular prerequisites and earn points. The six categories
include - Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy
& Atmosphere
- Materials & Resources
- Indoor Environmental
Quality
- Innovation in Design (projects can earn ID points for green building
innovations).
The number of points the project earns determines the
level of LEED Certification the project receives. LEED certification is available
in four progressive levels: - Certified: 26 - 32 points
- Silver:
33 - 38 points
- Gold: 39 - 51 points
- Platinum: 52 - 69 points
Bob
Moore Construction Company and LEEDBob Moore Construction has recognized
the need and business advantage offered by environmental convervation and responsibility.
In 2009 Bob Moore Construction completed the 1.16 million square foot Pioneer
360 Business Center, a commercial construction project in Arlington, Texas. This
commercial construction project began with the demolition of an abandoned 800,000
square foot regional mall; more than 95% of the materials removed during demolition
of the mall were recycled rather than discarded. The Pioneer 360 Business Center
is believed to be the first
commercial construction project to be registered as a Gold facility for LEED Core
and Shell in the state of Texas. Recognizing the importance of the USGBC
and the LEED certification program, Bob
Moore Construction company was the first commercial construction company to become
a Platinum Member of the USGBC North Texas Chapter. Bob Moore Construction
employs a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) as part of the company's full-time
staff, to facilitate the certification process on any project where LEED will
be implemented, and several more employees have earned Green Advantage Commercial
Environmental Certification. Bob Moore Construction has demonstrated its
commitment to ensuring that environmental responsibility, along with the jobsite
safety, legal and ethical business practices, emphasis on quality construction
and focus on budget and schedule, is offered on every project we build. You
can speak with one of Bob Moore Construction's commercial construction professionals,
who can answer your questions about LEED Certification and what it means for your
new building project. Please call us at (817) 640-1200 or contact commercial
construction company Bob Moore Construction online. More Information
on LEED, USGBC and Green Building The
website LEED.net
features a wide range of information about LEED, USGBC and Green Building.
Please visit LEED.net
for to learn more about this exciting method of commercial construction. Visit
our Featured
Websites page for more links to LEED and Green Building websites. LEED,
USGBC and Green Building ArticlesCommercial Construction.com presents
the following articles to offer additional information on LEED, US Green Building
Council and Green Building. | 
