Background
I am incredibly excited to delve into the researching of this question!
When I enter the workforce after graduating college, I will deal with LEED Assessments on the regular. Environmental engineers not only work to design structures that will impact the environment in a positive way, but they also have to ensure that these structures are up-to-code. Learning more about a method that environmental engineers use to allow for the creation of more eco-friendly buildings is very important for my future career. Once I complete my capstone and answer my research question, I believe that I will have a better understanding of my career as a whole.
Below is just some of the research process I went through to ensure a maximum understanding of this topic as a whole.
When I enter the workforce after graduating college, I will deal with LEED Assessments on the regular. Environmental engineers not only work to design structures that will impact the environment in a positive way, but they also have to ensure that these structures are up-to-code. Learning more about a method that environmental engineers use to allow for the creation of more eco-friendly buildings is very important for my future career. Once I complete my capstone and answer my research question, I believe that I will have a better understanding of my career as a whole.
Below is just some of the research process I went through to ensure a maximum understanding of this topic as a whole.
What I Need to Know
Following lots of basic research and organization, I was able to come up with the perfect essential question that would allow me to gain a better understanding of LEED as a whole:
"How do LEED Assessments advocate for the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings?"
The essential question is fairly straightforward in regards to what I need to know. Everything action taken in the world has some sort of impact on at least one person or thing. LEED Assessments are not an exception of this. That being said, it’s important for me to know not only about LEED itself, but also the impacts it has on those surrounding the LEED certified building before, during, and after the construction process.
"How do LEED Assessments advocate for the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings?"
The essential question is fairly straightforward in regards to what I need to know. Everything action taken in the world has some sort of impact on at least one person or thing. LEED Assessments are not an exception of this. That being said, it’s important for me to know not only about LEED itself, but also the impacts it has on those surrounding the LEED certified building before, during, and after the construction process.
What I Know or Assume
Before starting my capstone, I was somewhat aware of what to expect in regards to LEED. During my sophomore year, I decided to help out two of my friends with a state competition event for the Technology Student Association. The goal of said competition was to design and construct a model house (both physically and computer-generated) that met the requirements of a Gold Tier, LEED certified building. In order to ensure that the house could be LEED certified, we had to follow the LEED certification exam rubric and earn a certain amount of points in each of the major categories. Before helping my friends with this project, I had no idea that there were specific regulations that must be maintained to have an eco-friendly building in place. Throughout the last two years, I've spent a lot of time delving into the world of environmentally-friendly, sustainable buildings. I am curious to know more about this topic, and how, since the implementation of LEED Assessments, the United States has been impacted.
Within the county, I am aware of only two buildings that are LEED certified - the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center (Bronze Level), and the Post Road Library (Silver Level). Before delving into the research process, I didn't know much about either one of them, and only found out about the certification levels when I happened to be visiting these two sites.
Other than the brief introduction into the LEED program and being aware of two sites with LEED certification, I didn't know much about the significant impacts these buildings have on the community.
Within the county, I am aware of only two buildings that are LEED certified - the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center (Bronze Level), and the Post Road Library (Silver Level). Before delving into the research process, I didn't know much about either one of them, and only found out about the certification levels when I happened to be visiting these two sites.
Other than the brief introduction into the LEED program and being aware of two sites with LEED certification, I didn't know much about the significant impacts these buildings have on the community.
The Search
My research began at one of the most unused sources of this century: the library. While there are millions of sources online that I could access in a mere few seconds, I felt that a “traditional” research method would be a good place to start. I made my way to the Post Road Library one day after school to see what I could find.
Being a Silver, LEED-Certified building, I felt as if I was getting a “two-for-the-price-of-one” sort of deal in regards to my research: I got to see the building for myself and see the impacts it had on the community, and I got to find hard-copy sources that would be used for my annotated bibliography. While I was unable to find any books on LEED itself, I did gain some useful knowledge from the woman at the front desk. She answered a few questions I had in regards to the LEED Certification, showed me the environmentally-friendly floor plan, and talked about how the library is able to pay significantly less in utility bills than the other libraries in the county, allowing them to put more of the money they receive into projects for the community, such as English classes held in the evenings or children’s craft and story times.
After my trip to the library, I went on my computer to find articles about environmental engineering and LEED through the Galileo Virtual Library website. This website is incredibly helpful and provides a wide variety of articles and books for anything and everything you could imagine. While my first article, “Study of Vocational Interests of Students in Environmental Engineering Field” by Carmen Ioan and Ileana Carcea, had nothing to do with LEED assessments, I gained an understanding of the interests of environmental engineers and how these interests fuel movements such as LEED. Environmental Engineers are all about anything and everything eco-friendly, and therefore are avid supporters of the LEED program.
My second article, which dealt with a study on the cost-effectiveness of LEED certified homes in Kentucky, was an eye opener for me. I began to understand that LEED was something that could be brought out of the cooperate world and into the day-to-day lives of people living in the middle of suburbia. With the average LEED certified home having a payback period of less than thirty years, it is clear that the overall positive impacts grow as time goes on, making LEED a very beneficial tool to utilize early on for a better future.
My third and final article, which is a study on why the gold tier is the most popular LEED certification tier, gives insight into the minds of the owners and managers of 144 LEED buildings throughout the United States. Participants, who were anonymously interviewed, gave their thoughts on why gold was the most popular tier to achieve. Most participants described the cost-effectiveness versus the higher platinum tier, the point differences between gold and silver tiers, and the overall payback period, which seemed to take shorter time versus silver or platinum levels. Understanding why owners and managers chose the level they did when the construction process began allows for me to see the big picture on the goals they had in mind. While the overall goal is to promote eco-friendly sustainability, the short-term goals involve costs. LEED buildings are notoriously known to initially cost more than traditional buildings, making some weary to go through the process.
However, through my interview with Mr. Pate, the project manager for the Sawnee Mountain Visitor Center, I learned that the LEED construction process doesn’t have to be such a hassle for those involved. Having someone knowledgeable in the LEED world and certification process makes things run smoother than without one.
The research process was something that, at first, was wary about. I wasn’t sure if I was going to find the answers to the questions I had, and didn’t know if it was even possible to get as much out of it as I actually did. I learned way more than I ever imagined I could, and I am thankful that I stuck through with my essential question instead of changing it early on in the process.
Being a Silver, LEED-Certified building, I felt as if I was getting a “two-for-the-price-of-one” sort of deal in regards to my research: I got to see the building for myself and see the impacts it had on the community, and I got to find hard-copy sources that would be used for my annotated bibliography. While I was unable to find any books on LEED itself, I did gain some useful knowledge from the woman at the front desk. She answered a few questions I had in regards to the LEED Certification, showed me the environmentally-friendly floor plan, and talked about how the library is able to pay significantly less in utility bills than the other libraries in the county, allowing them to put more of the money they receive into projects for the community, such as English classes held in the evenings or children’s craft and story times.
After my trip to the library, I went on my computer to find articles about environmental engineering and LEED through the Galileo Virtual Library website. This website is incredibly helpful and provides a wide variety of articles and books for anything and everything you could imagine. While my first article, “Study of Vocational Interests of Students in Environmental Engineering Field” by Carmen Ioan and Ileana Carcea, had nothing to do with LEED assessments, I gained an understanding of the interests of environmental engineers and how these interests fuel movements such as LEED. Environmental Engineers are all about anything and everything eco-friendly, and therefore are avid supporters of the LEED program.
My second article, which dealt with a study on the cost-effectiveness of LEED certified homes in Kentucky, was an eye opener for me. I began to understand that LEED was something that could be brought out of the cooperate world and into the day-to-day lives of people living in the middle of suburbia. With the average LEED certified home having a payback period of less than thirty years, it is clear that the overall positive impacts grow as time goes on, making LEED a very beneficial tool to utilize early on for a better future.
My third and final article, which is a study on why the gold tier is the most popular LEED certification tier, gives insight into the minds of the owners and managers of 144 LEED buildings throughout the United States. Participants, who were anonymously interviewed, gave their thoughts on why gold was the most popular tier to achieve. Most participants described the cost-effectiveness versus the higher platinum tier, the point differences between gold and silver tiers, and the overall payback period, which seemed to take shorter time versus silver or platinum levels. Understanding why owners and managers chose the level they did when the construction process began allows for me to see the big picture on the goals they had in mind. While the overall goal is to promote eco-friendly sustainability, the short-term goals involve costs. LEED buildings are notoriously known to initially cost more than traditional buildings, making some weary to go through the process.
However, through my interview with Mr. Pate, the project manager for the Sawnee Mountain Visitor Center, I learned that the LEED construction process doesn’t have to be such a hassle for those involved. Having someone knowledgeable in the LEED world and certification process makes things run smoother than without one.
The research process was something that, at first, was wary about. I wasn’t sure if I was going to find the answers to the questions I had, and didn’t know if it was even possible to get as much out of it as I actually did. I learned way more than I ever imagined I could, and I am thankful that I stuck through with my essential question instead of changing it early on in the process.
What I Discovered
Throughout the entirety of the research process, I was introduced into the complex world of the LEED Program. Prior to completing my research, I was unsure of what to expect. Coming into this project with only a basic understanding of what LEED is, I was surprised when I saw the impacts it placed on not only my community, but also with other communities throughout the United States.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program was founded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) with three main goals in mind: to promote environmentally sustainable buildings, reduce cities’ carbon footprints, and allow for lower operational costs for businesses and corporations. Following its launch in 2000, nearly 2.7 billion square feet of buildings, homes, and offices have been LEED certified. Every single square foot of LEED certified structures gives way to a beneficial payback period, and the ability to prove that being eco-friendly does not mean that development shouldn’t happen. Development is an inevitable part of society, but through LEED, we are able to minimize the negative impacts humans have had on the environment over the last two hundred years.
Having LEED certified buildings not only in cities, but also in the suburbs, will allow for overall profitability and stimulate the economy, while also allowing for the carbon footprints of many to diminish. With recycling already widespread throughout the county and various movements such as Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and our annual Shore Sweep, further implementing LEED into the community will allow for a greater sustainability of our county, keeping our streams and lakes clean, and allowing for nature to reside peacefully beside development as we continue to grow at a rapid pace.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program was founded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) with three main goals in mind: to promote environmentally sustainable buildings, reduce cities’ carbon footprints, and allow for lower operational costs for businesses and corporations. Following its launch in 2000, nearly 2.7 billion square feet of buildings, homes, and offices have been LEED certified. Every single square foot of LEED certified structures gives way to a beneficial payback period, and the ability to prove that being eco-friendly does not mean that development shouldn’t happen. Development is an inevitable part of society, but through LEED, we are able to minimize the negative impacts humans have had on the environment over the last two hundred years.
Having LEED certified buildings not only in cities, but also in the suburbs, will allow for overall profitability and stimulate the economy, while also allowing for the carbon footprints of many to diminish. With recycling already widespread throughout the county and various movements such as Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and our annual Shore Sweep, further implementing LEED into the community will allow for a greater sustainability of our county, keeping our streams and lakes clean, and allowing for nature to reside peacefully beside development as we continue to grow at a rapid pace.
My Interview with Mr. Pate
In order to further work on my research project, I was tasked with asking a knowledgeable person questions that related to my essential question:
"How do LEED Assessments advocate for the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings?"
In order to get background knowledge on the subject, I asked Mr. Pate, the project manager for the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center who worked towards making sure that the building met LEED Codes.
(Format as follows: The question I asked, Mr. Pate's response, then my reflection of the response)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. What are LEED Assessments?
LEED assessments are used by project managers, architects or engineers to grade criteria when designing a sustainable or green building with the ultimate goal of having the US Green Building Council certify it as such. For Commercial Buildings LEED Certification is based on a point system in 6 main categories. Then, there are 4 levels a building can achieve...Certified,Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
I've had a little bit of experience using LEED Assessments through an architectural-based competition over the last few years, but I was unaware of the levels a building can achieve. Points from each category of the LEED Assessment are used to award the building based on how many total points it reaches at the end of the assessment. This allows for a greater flexibility in how a building can be labeled as "sustainable." While it has to have something from every category, it's okay if it the builder decided to focus on, say, the usage of rainwater for watering the turf and plants outside as opposed to focusing on using less water in public restrooms.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is your experience with them?
I had direct experience working with an an engineering firm and LEED AP (accredited professional) architects on a LEED certification design and designation for the Sawnee Mountain Preserve's Visitor Center back in 2007.
It's crazy to think that just spending time with someone knowledgeable about the LEED world allows someone to learn so much about it! But then again, I believe the best way to learn is by watching someone do something, so I think gaining that experience through both your own motives and by being educated by someone knowledgeable impacts you for the better.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. How has your support of LEED impacted the community?
When we started the visitor center project in 2007, I saw what was happening with rising energy and building costs and voiced my opinion that the county and parks department had the perfect opportunity, as a steward of the tax payers dollars, to be a role model in developing a sustainable energy efficient building using the USGBC's LEED model. My hope was its success would help spur others to make the same choice.
I would like to think my work on the Sawnee Mountain Preserve's Visitor Center helped initiate the Forsyth County Library's development of their LEED certified building at Post Road.
During the beginning of a project that has the potential to impact the community for the better, one may not wind up immediately seeing the results they set out to gain from doing such. However, I think that, as you advocated for the visitor center, people started noticing how energy-efficient buildings aren't just for "tree huggers." They benefit the community while still keeping the operating costs low, which allows for a longer amount of time to reach out and educate the public.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Other than the Sawnee Preserve Vistor Center, are there any other buildings within the state that you've worked to meet the LEED requirements?
No, but I did have a bit of input in regards to the Post Road Library's Silver Certification through LEED.
Personally, I think that this may have had to do with all of the time and effort put into both the physical design and constructing of the visitor center and trying to persuade county officials to go through with building something that was going to be a bit more pricey than most standard projects. Being able to set aside a lot of money at the beginning with the uncertainty of how it may turn out in the future is something that requires a lot of thought, and I completely understand how this could be tiring in the end.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. I noticed that the Post Road Library was a silver level LEED certified building. Do you know anything about this, and if so, can you tell me about the reason why the county funded a library to be environmentally-friendly?
The Former Director of the Library System is an avid hiker and he used to visit Sawnee Mountain weekly to hike the trails after we opened the visitor center. He began asking questions about the process to one of his Board Members who happened to also be the President of the Sawnee Mountain Foundation. The Sawnee Mountain Foundation President thought it would be a great idea to build a LEED certified building and suggested speaking with me about the process and what could be expected, if it was it worth it, and what the benefits would be. After some lengthy discussions with me and assurances of success, he proposed the idea to his Board and received approval to proceed.
It's amazing that, through your avocation of constructing environmentally-friendly buildings, you were able to impact an important county official into designing a building of their own - and not just any building, a library! Having a library with LEED certification allows for even more people to learn about how awesome taking care of the earth really can be. For as busy as a library is on a day-to-day basis, it's easy to realize that libraries attract a wide range of demographics, which can in turn help impact a large percentage of the local population.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How difficult is it for a building to obtain a LEED certification, and how long does the process typically take?
It's not very difficult if you are committed to seeing it through as a matter of principle. It does add some extra costs and time to a building project. Hiring an experienced LEED AP certified architect and engineering firm helps make the process a lot more easier because they know the hoops that have to be jumped through.
This surprises me, I always would've thought that a "fancy," government certification process would take a long time to be completed. However, through using the LEED AP certified architect, the amount of paperwork required reduced significantly. If I ever decide to go through with designing my own LEED-certified building, I'll definitely make sure to hire a LEED AP certified architect!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. What are the benefits of designing and promoting LEED certified buildings?
The benefits are twofold. For one, it's going to save a lot of operation and maintenance costs over its lifespan versus a traditionally built structure. The second benefit is that this recognition can be used as a great educational and interpretive tool for visitors to show how they can incorporate small changes to their home's energy usage and efficiency.
If we want to ensure that future generations have a safe, clean place to live, it's important that we have opportunities to educate everyone, especially the youth, in how there are ways outside of recycling and cleaning up garbage to make the world a better place. I think through LEED, we are able to accomplish this.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. What are the drawbacks?
There are a little more up front costs, and the extra time added to fund those costs can add to the completion of an overall project. Public funded facilities tend to also have politically-charged arguments from tax payers due to extra costs and timelines. Sometimes ideas with good intentions are picked apart by both sides of the argument and take the idea as an insult to their political ideologies.
If I've learned anything through my mentor, it's that the world of recycling and waste management isn't all smooth-sailing. Politics always finds a way to seep into everything within society, but this is especially true for eco-friendly promotion. It's been an issue since the 1960's, and I'm thankful that people, regardless of what their political party affiliation may or may not be, realize that it's important to reduce our carbon footprint and make the world a better place!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. If you had the opportunity to educate the public about the importance of LEED, how would you do so?
I do it all the time. I explain to folks when I give tours of the Visitor Center that we designed it this way using a "dollars and cents (sense)" philosophical approach (he paused a moment to laugh at the pun). We spent a little more money up front but would see a cost savings of at least tenfold over the lifespan of the building. For example, in 2012 I took 3 years of utility bills from 3 other similar county buildings and compared them to the visitor center's. Our utility usage and bills were anywhere from one third to one half the cost of similar county facilities. Point made!
Also, our programs at the visitor center are based in 3 major thematic areas: Preservation, Conservation and Stewardship. Building the center to basic LEED certification standards helped us put our money where our mouth was and we were able to "walk the talk," if you will.
Wow! It seems that, even after a little more than ten years of the visitor's center's completion, you've been able to still educate the public on how beneficial LEED actually is. Having utility bills nearly cut in half is an incredible feat. It not only reduces the operating costs, but it also shows the public that they can do this in their own homes and businesses, too. I think that one is never too young or too old to learn about the ways they can take care of their world.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. What has been the biggest takeaway from managing LEED-certified buildings?
If you can spend a little more now to save a lot later why wouldn't you? It's not difficult to obtain the certification and if the overall process scares you, then just do as much as you can. Just incorporating small, eco-friendly design elements, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, can have a big effect on your overall costs over time. And why wouldn't anyone want to save money in the long run?
I definitely agree. I think that, while initial costs may seem to be a bit steep and the overall process is daunting, it's going to be worth it in the long run. Even if average people don't design LEED-certified buildings, learning from what goes into them can impact their lives for the better. Whether it's installing a water-saving toilet in one of their bathrooms, or purchasing energy-efficient appliances, it's clear to see that everyone has the opportunity to impact the environment in a positive way. And all of the little steps people take can surely add to a huge reduction in our carbon footprint!
"How do LEED Assessments advocate for the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings?"
In order to get background knowledge on the subject, I asked Mr. Pate, the project manager for the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center who worked towards making sure that the building met LEED Codes.
(Format as follows: The question I asked, Mr. Pate's response, then my reflection of the response)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. What are LEED Assessments?
LEED assessments are used by project managers, architects or engineers to grade criteria when designing a sustainable or green building with the ultimate goal of having the US Green Building Council certify it as such. For Commercial Buildings LEED Certification is based on a point system in 6 main categories. Then, there are 4 levels a building can achieve...Certified,Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
I've had a little bit of experience using LEED Assessments through an architectural-based competition over the last few years, but I was unaware of the levels a building can achieve. Points from each category of the LEED Assessment are used to award the building based on how many total points it reaches at the end of the assessment. This allows for a greater flexibility in how a building can be labeled as "sustainable." While it has to have something from every category, it's okay if it the builder decided to focus on, say, the usage of rainwater for watering the turf and plants outside as opposed to focusing on using less water in public restrooms.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is your experience with them?
I had direct experience working with an an engineering firm and LEED AP (accredited professional) architects on a LEED certification design and designation for the Sawnee Mountain Preserve's Visitor Center back in 2007.
It's crazy to think that just spending time with someone knowledgeable about the LEED world allows someone to learn so much about it! But then again, I believe the best way to learn is by watching someone do something, so I think gaining that experience through both your own motives and by being educated by someone knowledgeable impacts you for the better.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. How has your support of LEED impacted the community?
When we started the visitor center project in 2007, I saw what was happening with rising energy and building costs and voiced my opinion that the county and parks department had the perfect opportunity, as a steward of the tax payers dollars, to be a role model in developing a sustainable energy efficient building using the USGBC's LEED model. My hope was its success would help spur others to make the same choice.
I would like to think my work on the Sawnee Mountain Preserve's Visitor Center helped initiate the Forsyth County Library's development of their LEED certified building at Post Road.
During the beginning of a project that has the potential to impact the community for the better, one may not wind up immediately seeing the results they set out to gain from doing such. However, I think that, as you advocated for the visitor center, people started noticing how energy-efficient buildings aren't just for "tree huggers." They benefit the community while still keeping the operating costs low, which allows for a longer amount of time to reach out and educate the public.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Other than the Sawnee Preserve Vistor Center, are there any other buildings within the state that you've worked to meet the LEED requirements?
No, but I did have a bit of input in regards to the Post Road Library's Silver Certification through LEED.
Personally, I think that this may have had to do with all of the time and effort put into both the physical design and constructing of the visitor center and trying to persuade county officials to go through with building something that was going to be a bit more pricey than most standard projects. Being able to set aside a lot of money at the beginning with the uncertainty of how it may turn out in the future is something that requires a lot of thought, and I completely understand how this could be tiring in the end.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. I noticed that the Post Road Library was a silver level LEED certified building. Do you know anything about this, and if so, can you tell me about the reason why the county funded a library to be environmentally-friendly?
The Former Director of the Library System is an avid hiker and he used to visit Sawnee Mountain weekly to hike the trails after we opened the visitor center. He began asking questions about the process to one of his Board Members who happened to also be the President of the Sawnee Mountain Foundation. The Sawnee Mountain Foundation President thought it would be a great idea to build a LEED certified building and suggested speaking with me about the process and what could be expected, if it was it worth it, and what the benefits would be. After some lengthy discussions with me and assurances of success, he proposed the idea to his Board and received approval to proceed.
It's amazing that, through your avocation of constructing environmentally-friendly buildings, you were able to impact an important county official into designing a building of their own - and not just any building, a library! Having a library with LEED certification allows for even more people to learn about how awesome taking care of the earth really can be. For as busy as a library is on a day-to-day basis, it's easy to realize that libraries attract a wide range of demographics, which can in turn help impact a large percentage of the local population.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How difficult is it for a building to obtain a LEED certification, and how long does the process typically take?
It's not very difficult if you are committed to seeing it through as a matter of principle. It does add some extra costs and time to a building project. Hiring an experienced LEED AP certified architect and engineering firm helps make the process a lot more easier because they know the hoops that have to be jumped through.
This surprises me, I always would've thought that a "fancy," government certification process would take a long time to be completed. However, through using the LEED AP certified architect, the amount of paperwork required reduced significantly. If I ever decide to go through with designing my own LEED-certified building, I'll definitely make sure to hire a LEED AP certified architect!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. What are the benefits of designing and promoting LEED certified buildings?
The benefits are twofold. For one, it's going to save a lot of operation and maintenance costs over its lifespan versus a traditionally built structure. The second benefit is that this recognition can be used as a great educational and interpretive tool for visitors to show how they can incorporate small changes to their home's energy usage and efficiency.
If we want to ensure that future generations have a safe, clean place to live, it's important that we have opportunities to educate everyone, especially the youth, in how there are ways outside of recycling and cleaning up garbage to make the world a better place. I think through LEED, we are able to accomplish this.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. What are the drawbacks?
There are a little more up front costs, and the extra time added to fund those costs can add to the completion of an overall project. Public funded facilities tend to also have politically-charged arguments from tax payers due to extra costs and timelines. Sometimes ideas with good intentions are picked apart by both sides of the argument and take the idea as an insult to their political ideologies.
If I've learned anything through my mentor, it's that the world of recycling and waste management isn't all smooth-sailing. Politics always finds a way to seep into everything within society, but this is especially true for eco-friendly promotion. It's been an issue since the 1960's, and I'm thankful that people, regardless of what their political party affiliation may or may not be, realize that it's important to reduce our carbon footprint and make the world a better place!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. If you had the opportunity to educate the public about the importance of LEED, how would you do so?
I do it all the time. I explain to folks when I give tours of the Visitor Center that we designed it this way using a "dollars and cents (sense)" philosophical approach (he paused a moment to laugh at the pun). We spent a little more money up front but would see a cost savings of at least tenfold over the lifespan of the building. For example, in 2012 I took 3 years of utility bills from 3 other similar county buildings and compared them to the visitor center's. Our utility usage and bills were anywhere from one third to one half the cost of similar county facilities. Point made!
Also, our programs at the visitor center are based in 3 major thematic areas: Preservation, Conservation and Stewardship. Building the center to basic LEED certification standards helped us put our money where our mouth was and we were able to "walk the talk," if you will.
Wow! It seems that, even after a little more than ten years of the visitor's center's completion, you've been able to still educate the public on how beneficial LEED actually is. Having utility bills nearly cut in half is an incredible feat. It not only reduces the operating costs, but it also shows the public that they can do this in their own homes and businesses, too. I think that one is never too young or too old to learn about the ways they can take care of their world.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. What has been the biggest takeaway from managing LEED-certified buildings?
If you can spend a little more now to save a lot later why wouldn't you? It's not difficult to obtain the certification and if the overall process scares you, then just do as much as you can. Just incorporating small, eco-friendly design elements, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, can have a big effect on your overall costs over time. And why wouldn't anyone want to save money in the long run?
I definitely agree. I think that, while initial costs may seem to be a bit steep and the overall process is daunting, it's going to be worth it in the long run. Even if average people don't design LEED-certified buildings, learning from what goes into them can impact their lives for the better. Whether it's installing a water-saving toilet in one of their bathrooms, or purchasing energy-efficient appliances, it's clear to see that everyone has the opportunity to impact the environment in a positive way. And all of the little steps people take can surely add to a huge reduction in our carbon footprint!