The Best LEED Study Habits Seriously, I studied, I took the test and I conquered. I think that’s a famous Latin quote, but I can’t promise I got it right. Basically, what I’m saying is I took the test, and did well, so you should be able to use my hints and apply them in […]
Category Archives: Construction
LEED Scorecard See Below for the New LEED 3.0 Scorecard for 2009 All major rating systems are attached!!! The scorecard is the backbone of the entire LEED Program. You cannot expect to pass the LEED AP Exam? without memorizing the scorecard; you may as well send me a check for $400 (ok, $300 if you’re a USGBC member) and I’ll […]
Project Registration Registering a project early on in the process is extremely important; it solidifies the commitment for the designers to follow suit. This is a common thread throughout the LEED AP Exam?: earlier is optimal. The exam covers all aspects of project administration; some important things to remember are: register early, register online (save the trees, remember?), […]
Rating System for Buildings There are several levels of certification a building can acquire: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. In its fledgling years, the USGBC also had another category: Bronze, but it has since been put to rest, as the award did not require exceptional measures to gain certification. Each level of certification is defined by the […]
LEED Online Click here to see new LEED v3.0 Online revisions! They’ve made some amazing updates that many organizations never thought would be able to be quantified by the USGBC! “Online” is another common theme of the exam. All major milestones for LEED Certification are completed online. This includes, and is not limited to, registration, submittals, CIRs, delegation […]
What Constitutes Exemplary Performance? The LEED scorecard has identified the last section as Innovation and Design Process. This is oftentimes shortened to ID points, similar to how we label SS for Sustainable Sites, etc. Just an example of Innovation, not necessarily LEED related How Many Points Can We Get? There are five possible points in this section, one […]
LEED Credit Interpretation Rulings Note: All Credit Interpretation Rulings on the USGBC database can only be applied to projects that were registered pre-2009. Projects post June 2009 will now use project-specific CIR’s. The CIR database will eventually be phased out, and a CIR for one project will only be granted for that project per the […]
Certification of a Building The first Platinum rated LEED home (Santa Monica, CA) “LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance. They cost less to operate and maintain; are energy- and water-efficient; have higher lease- up rates than conventional buildings in their markets; are healthier and safer for occupants; and are a physical demonstration […]
What is LEED? The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization that sought to create a shift in building design with respect to the environment. The program aimed to spotlight projects who opted for following green standards over the typical model. See the new updated LEED 3.0 model and changes to the system in all sections of […]
LEED Indoor Environmental Quality This portion of the LEED Scorecard really brings to focus all the opportunities to use clean finishes, ones with fewer emissions that contaminate the air we breathe. According to the LEED Reference Manual, Americans spend 90% of our time indoors. That means cleaning the indoor air starts from the materials we use like […]