Comments on: University of Oregon building would be one of few LEED platinum science facilities

By: RLD

RLD — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:57:50 +0000

As a Construction Manager currently completing a college level Science Complex likewise slated for LEED Platinum (we are tracking 57 solid points), I would note that AML has correctly pointed out that there are multiple components to address in achieving LEED Certification. While the HVAC system is extremely important (as lab space requires 100% fresh air intake which, in turn, utilizes a lot of energy), the process is comprehensive. Strategies our team has put into place include a heat recovery coil (which extracts heat from the exhaust air and reuses it), operable windows at the non-lab spaces, day-lighting, 50% water use reduction, storm water retention, construction waste diversion (we have achieved 97%), use of materials with recycled content, mitigation of heat island effect (we’re utilizing a white roof), light pollution reduction, renewable energy (by use of a PV array) and many others.

We are also validating the results by use of a measurement and verification plan/system which will monitor and record actual resource use (power, water, gas as well as temperatures and other pertinent data) in turn allowing us to compare it against a traditional use model.

The process will clearly save the owner a substantial amount of operational costs throughout the life of the building and is extremely interesting to execute.

By: AML

AML — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:53:02 +0000

In re: to RGL…. LEED has 5 components, energy is only one of them. They are: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

It targets a host of things such as reuse of resources (if a renovation), stormwater runoff and other environmental issues quite detached from energy use which do not have a history of consideration in building design. In addition, the designation rewards responsible building design and therefore encourages its adoption.

Is the LEED system perfect? No. Is it considerably better than your standard, up to code building? Yes. As they also focus on occupant comfort (views, daylighting, temperature control) they have also been consistently shown to raise worker productivity.

By: Shop Talk: Careful Planning, Creativity May Win Platinum for Science Building - Buildings & Grounds - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:32:32 +0000

[…] of Oregon officials say the $65-million Lewis Integrative Science Building is poised to earn a LEED-platinum designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Although the ventilation needs of science buildings are […]

By: Green Lab Pinnacle: LEED Platinum In Oregon | LEEDdaily

Green Lab Pinnacle: LEED Platinum In Oregon | LEEDdaily — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:33:45 +0000

[…] As the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce notes, science facilities present a number of green building challenges that are usually considered hard to overcome. There are the energy demands of high tech equipment for one, along with the needs for specialized ventilation systems in lab areas (which also have different climate control requirements than other areas of the building)—but we’ve covered a number of green labs that have cropped up over the last year or so, and now, the University of Oregon’s Lewis Integrative Science Building is poised to move to the head of the class with a LEED Platinum certification. […]

By: RGJ

RGJ — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:15:25 +0000

Pardon me, but what has “energy performance” got to do with “sustainability”? There’s nothing new about designing to minimize HVAC costs – engineers have always been doing that. LEED certification is nothing but a make-work operation for its promoters.