Evaluating the Sustainability of New Construction Projects over Time by Examining the Evolution of the LEED Rating System

Energy accounts for a significant share of carbon emissions, and buildings play a substantial role in this by contributing to both direct and indirect emissions throughout their lifecycle. Enhancing energy efficiency in buildings is a strategy to mitigate these impacts. The main goal of this review is to uncover solutions, trends, and examples of good practices in the field of office buildings. It presents effective cases and a SWOT analysis of LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB certifications, highlighting their contributions to energy efficiency in buildings on an international scale. The paper identifies and outlines similarities and differences between each methodology used to achieve energy efficiency in different buildings and contexts. The findings may allow new ways to improve access and obtain results regarding energy efficiency, thereby supporting building owners and companies in finding more effective solutions. The research highlights the necessity for continual enhancements in these systems, which should involve addressing economic factors, conducting post-occupancy evaluations, and considering lifecycle perspectives. The recommendations encompass standardizing practices, considering costs, conducting regular revisions, managing materials and resources, and incorporating occupancy measures.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Energy Efficiency Practices in Office Buildings through the Lens of LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB Certifications

Rebelatto,

Salvia,

Brandli

et al. 2024

“…LEED 4.0. released in 2013, focused on performance-based metrics, including lifecycle assessment, with an increased emphasis on materials and resources. LEED version 4.1, released in 2019, incorporated changes to streamline the certification process and encourage higher levels of sustainability performance [57]. Unlike BREEAM, LEED was originally designed to reward energy saving measures rather than a direct reduction in energy use.…”

Section: Building Regulations and Rating Systems In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

Always with the Best Intentions? Interrogating the Use of Sustainable Building Assessment Systems in Developing Countries: Kenya

Chelang’at,

Lawrence

2024

Assessment methodologies such as BREEAM and LEED allocate points based on prescribed interventions that promote design features or strategies considered to be more sustainable than others. A focus on accumulating numerical scores, however, often fails to address pertinent contextual issues, particularly within developing countries. This paper examines the use of four assessment systems in Kenya—two international systems, LEED-US and Green Star SA-Kenya; and two locally developed systems, Green Mark Kenya and the Safari Green Building Index. The paper compares the relative weighting of different categories under each system, and assesses their appropriateness to a Kenyan context, with reference to the suitability of active technology versus passive design approaches. The paper examines selected examples of ‘green’ buildings in Nairobi, reflecting on the influence of different methods of assessment on the adopted design approaches. The paper argues that international rating systems, such as LEED, often focus on a Western construct of sustainability featuring a systematic bias towards global rather than local perspectives, with an emphasis on physical environmental factors. In pursuit of objectivity, the measurement of non-contextual parameters untailored to local circumstances (e.g., energy performance) is prioritised at the expense of those contingent on local conditions or climate.

“…In 2000, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) published a constructability review of best practices guide [46]. The work presented in this guide emphasized the importance of implementing a CR program due to its numerous benefits.…”

Section: Constructability Reviewsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Construction Inhibitors and Sustainable Construction Practices for Alternative Intersections and Interchanges

Bonilla

Rasdorf

2023

Despite the recent pandemic and sharp increases in fuel costs, portions of the current U.S. transportation infrastructure have reached their capacity, can no longer carry the increasing traffic volumes they are subjected to, nor can they sustain more. Thus, there is a need to enhance the current infrastructure by funding projects that promote more sustainable practices. Alternative intersections and interchanges (AIIs) can help to achieve this by providing significant improvements in traffic volumes while maintaining or improving safety. However, because they involve unique construction approaches that may be unfamiliar to construction professionals, the cost of AII projects are often perceived to be higher than for conventional designs. This research addressed this problem by identifying inhibitors to the construction of AIIs and enhancers that could improve their construction efficiency. To do so, an online survey was distributed and virtual interviews were conducted to gather knowledge from stakeholders (consultants, designers, and contractors) with experience building AII projects. The results were compiled and assessed to better understand the inhibitors that prevent AII projects from being selected and constructed. The results are promising and help DOTs, contractors, and consultants to focus their resources on minimizing inhibitors to improve project performance. The results show that utilities and right of way are the most prevalent inhibitors that prevent AII projects from being selected and constructed.