Let’s love LEED
In his article From Sustainability to Love in the Nov/Dec 08 SABMag, [read it here ] Florian Maurer devoted quite a bit of energy to denouncing LEED. The LEED rating system is a tool, and anyone who expects more of LEED than this will likely be disappointed. When used properly it will benefit the design and the environment, and add real value for the owner.
LEED certification provides accountability. Florian writes “I see us living and working in small, simple, sound and well designed buildings, in communities of reasonable density and well utilized infrastructure. I see us walking or cycling to work, protecting our farmland, water, and wilderness, using only the resources we need, taking care of those that can’t take care of themselves, eliminating the concept of “garbage”…” In fact LEED both supports and measures these types of initiatives, and helps prevent designers, builders and owners from making claims that are not truthful.
Going through a LEED checklist obviously does not replace good design. However, a good designer will use the tools available to him or her appropriately, not just LEED, but energy and daylight modelling, thermal comfort analysis, experience, intuition, etc.
Rather than spending the energy trying to discredit these tools, designers need to determine how they are best used to serve the purpose of re-integrating our built environment and ourselves with nature.
Brenda Martens, B.Sc. LEED® APBoard of Directors, Cascadia Region Green Building Council, Vancouver
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