CSCC Project Video

Well our client, Columbus State Community College decided to create a video of their first LEED building on their new campus.  It has been an interesting ride so far during the construction process and keeping our contractors in line with all of their LEED paper work.

At this point we are still targeting a Gold certification.  Unfortunatly we still have a year of construction ahead of us to even determine if that will happen.  So periodically I will post some construction photos as well as other updates as it may relate to LEED and share some of the things that I have learned along the way.

In the meantime, enjoy the short video.

csccvideo

Video Friday: LEED v3 Video

With the release of the new LEED 2009 or better know as v3 on April 27th, 2009, I decided to post a video by the USGBC that really talks about why we should build in a more sustainable fashion.  It also documents what went into the development of the new rating system.

Path to LEED Accreditation Shifts

New rigor and some red tape come with the new AIA and LEED AP education requirements.

By Tristan Roberts via GreenSource

Image © Dan Page

Image © Dan Page

The popularity of the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) credential, which is open to all professions, has led to the accreditation of over 77,000. By the time the current version of the program is retired later this spring, it is likely that the number of LEED APs will surpass the membership of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a fairly stable 83,000. While AIA membership is not directly comparable to holding the LEED AP credential, the momentum behind the program is remarkable.

The proliferation of LEED APs has come amid concerns about the program’s lack of rigor, so a major overhaul of the program arriving in late spring should not come as a surprise. The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), a nonprofit sister to the U.S. Green Building Council, announced its plans to assume leadership of the program at Greenbuild in November 2008. At the same time, effective January 2009, the AIA made sustainability a requirement for its continuing education (CEU) program, ensuring that all architects will need to integrate green building at least into their education, if not their practices.

Continue reading the article at GreenSource Magazine.

First LEED Platnium home in Ohio

After 3 long years of volunteer work the N. 21st Street project received a Platinum certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) under the LEED for Homes Pilot program on February 18th, 2009.  It is the first Platinum home in Ohio and only the 17th within the country in the affordable category at the time of certification.

This project was pushed forward by some very dedicated volunteers and a very patient owner.  The house was constructed by the Home B.A.S.E. Foundation which takes high school seniors out of the class room to build homes for the working poor as part of their English, Government and Technology education programs.  Roger Beck, a technology teacher, general contractor and the foundations founding member led the charge to build central Ohio’s first affordable green home.  The Columbus Housing Partnership has been an integral part of the process.  As the owner, they provided the initial home design from their stock set of plans provided to them by Sullivan Bruck Architects (Architect of Record).

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