What is LEED?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green building that was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions, and healthier environments. In the United States alone, buildings account for almost 40% of national CO2 emissions, but LEED-certified buildings have 34 percent lower CO2 emissions, consume 25 percent less energy and 11 percent less water, and have diverted more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills.
The LEED green building rating system has gone through several evolutions since it was originally introduced in 1998. With its initial launch, LEED opened a new chapter in building design, construction, management, and operation that inspired new energy efficiency and environmental sustainability technologies and gave rise to an industry dedicated to supporting green buildings. Now, its current version, LEED v4.1, is the most robust, flexible and transparent rating system ever.
Types of LEED Projects
There are LEED certifications for all building types and all building phases, including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance, and core and shell. The two types of LEED buildings at Brock include:
- Building Design and Construction (BD+C): new construction or major renovations.
- Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M): existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction.
Plaza Building
This project incorporated a unique system of heating and cooling by utilizing the precast hollow core concrete floor slabs for stored thermal mass and distribution of fresh ventilation air (TermoDeck System). Along with carefully specified building materials and furnishings this system helped provide a high degree of indoor quality for occupants. Rainwater harvesting for toilet and urinal flushing, high performance windows including highly insulated building envelope and state of the art energy efficient mechanical equipment are some of the environmentally sustainable features in this building.
More information regarding the LEED initiatives undertaken on the Plaza Building:
International Centre
This project was designed to achieve 41% energy cost reduction as compared to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings. Advanced water conservation features include rain water harvesting from the roof using a 50,000 litre underground cistern, and the installation of water efficient plumbing fixtures resulting in 89% waste water reduction and 41% water use reduction. The project also selectively sourced building materials and furnishings to ensure the highest indoor environmental air quality was achieved.
More information regarding the LEED initiatives undertaken on the International Centre:
Marilyn I. Walker School
The Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MWSFPA) recently achieved Gold LEED certification for energy and efficiency improvements made to the 8,746 sq m existing building in categories such as energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, water efficiency, and more. After applying for LEED certification and undergoing a technical review, the building received a score of 75/100 – just five points shy of reaching the highest platinum level!
More information regarding the LEED initiatives undertaken on the MWS:
