SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

UNDERSTANDING OF GREEN RATING SYSTEMS

NAME : AMEENA SHIRIN

INTRODUCTION
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) was developed and piloted in the US in
1998 as a consensus-based building rating system based on the use of existing building technology.
The rating system addresses specific environmental building related impacts using a whole building
environmental performance approach. The Indian Green Building Council has adapted LEED system
and has launched LEED India version for rating of new construction. In addition, Indian Green
Building Council (IGBC) has launched several other products for rating of different typologies of
buildings including homes, factories, among others. The following are key components of the LEED
system.
# Sustainable sites (construction related pollution prevention, site development impacts,
transportation alternatives, storm water management, heat island effect, and light pollution)
# Water efficiency (landscaping water use reduction, indoor water use reduction, and waste water
management strategies)
# Energy and atmosphere (commissioning, whole building energy performance optimization,
refrigerant management, renewable energy use, and measurement and verification)
# Materials and resources (recycling collection locations, building reuse, construction waste
management, and the purchase of regionally manufactured materials, materials with recycled
content, rapidly renewable materials, salvaged materials, and FSC certified wood products)
# Indoor environmental quality (environmental tobacco smoke control, outdoor air delivery
monitoring, increased ventilation, construction indoor air quality, use low emitting materials,
source control, and controllability of thermal and lighting systems)
# Innovation and design process (LEED® accredited professional, and innovative strategies for
sustainable design)

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is redefining the way we think about the
places where we live, work and learn. As an internationally recognized mark of excellence, LEED
provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and
measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

With nearly 9 billion square feet of building space participating in the suite of rating systems and 1.6
million feet certifying per day around the world, LEED is transforming the way built environments are
designed, constructed, and operated --- from individual buildings and homes, to entire neighborhoods and
communities. Comprehensive and flexible, LEED works throughout a building's life cycle.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or

community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of
human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,
materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

HOW TO EARN LEED CERTIFICATION?

One hundred possible credit points are distributed across six credit categories: Location and
Transportation, Materials and resources, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, sustainable sites, and
indoor environmental quality. Upto 10 more points can be earned for innovation in design(6 points) and
regional priority(4 points). Points are allocated based on potential for good-more points go for actions
with the least environmental impact and most human benefit.
Landscaping with drought tolerant plants and using efficient irrigation systems, installing low flow
water fixtures, using a cooling tower and having good water metering systems are some of the options
within the water use reduction metric. Energy and atmosphere credits can include optimizing energy
performance, using and/or producing renewable energy sources, and participating in demand response
programs.
Under the material and resources category, recycling programs are required. Credit points can be
earned by using products and raw materials from companies that have been third party verified to be
ecologically sound. Low emitting material use, high quality lighting, and ample daylight(with glare
control devices) are credit possibilities in the indoor environmental quality category.

BENEFITS OF LEED CERTIFICATION

1. Reduced energy and water usage
2. Lower operating costs
3. Less construction waste
4. Reduced liability
5. Most durable buildings
6. Supports the local economy
7. Greater resale value
8. Improved indoor air quality
9. Increased employee productivity
10. Better public image
BENEFITS OF LEED ACCREDITATION
1. Adding an internationally recognized credential to your resume
2. Improved marketability when looking forjobs
3. Competitive advantage over jobseekers in your industry
4. Third party recognition of your knowledge
5. More likely to qualify for salary increase or promotion
6. Better suited for a leadership role

1. Capable of taking on more responsibility

2. Stronger eligibility to work on green projects
3. Expanded business services and client reach
4. Becoming a stronger asset to your company
5. Serving as a credible green building advocate

RATING SYSTEM
The use of Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate(ESCS) in building designs contributes toward LEED
Green Building certification credits. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) system
was designed by the United States Green Building Council(USGBC) to evaluate the influence of building
design and construction on the environment.
The LEED rating system has seven areas of concentration; sustainable sites, water efficiency Energy
and atmosphere, materials and resources, Indoor environmental quality, Innovation in design process and
regional priority. Projects obtain credits in these areas to achieve certification. A building becomes
certified after receiving a minimum of 40 credits from the USGBC.
Certified - 40-49 points
Silver - 50-59 points
Gold - 60-79 points
Platinum - 80+ points
RATING CRITERIA AND WEIGHTAGE
Category Available points Points where ESCS can contribute
Sustainable sites 26 7
Water efficiency 10 6
Energy and Atmosphere 35 1+(see note)
Materials and Resources 14 9
Indoor environmental quality 15 1
Innovation and Design 6 Up to 5
Location and Linkages
Awareness and Education
Regional priority credits 4 Up to 4
Green infrastructure and
Building credits
Note: 1-19 points can be awarded for energy cost savings of 12%-48% for new buildings and 8%-44% for
existing buildings. ESCS will improve the thermal performance of building materials and contribute
toward obtaining these credits.

LEED RATING SYSTEM FOR DIFFERENT BUILDING TYPES

Each Rating system has four levels of certification that attest to a building or neighbourhood quantity
of robust, high performance green features. The four LEED certification level designations are Platinum,
Gold, Silver, Certified.

LEED EVALUATION AND TESTING

LEED certification of your building may include requirement of indoor air quality testing. Labs has
developed sampling kits for evaluation of Air quality in building. The samples are tested.Some of the
LEED IAQ tests:

1. PM10.LEED maximum concentration is 50mg/m3

Samples are collected on 37mm PTFE sampling cassettes with GK2.69 cyclone
at 1.6L/min. Recommended sampling time is 24-48hr. Expected sensitivity at
24hr sampling is 25mg/m3

1. Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). LEED maximum concentration is

500mg/m3
TVOC reported as a sum of all volatile compounds. Samples are collected
For 24hrs on TraceAir II#525 diffusive sampler. Recommended sampling
Time is 24-48hr. Expected sensitivity at 24hr sampling is 40mg/m3.

1. Formaldehyde.LEED maximum concentration is 27mg/m3

Sample of formaldehyde is collected for 2-8hr on DNPH tubes to the total
Volume of 30L. Recommended sampling time is 2-8hr. Expected
sensitivity is 7mg/m3
 1. Carbon monoxide.LEED maximum concentration is 9ppm; no more than
2ppm above outdoor levels
Sample of CO is collected for 8-24 hrs on Gastec 1D dosimeter tube.
Recommended sampling time is 8-24 hrs. Expected sensitivity after
8hr sampling is 7ppm and 2ppm after 24hr sampling.

LEED RATING IN INDIA-BUILDING EXAMPLE

LEED commencing 1July2014, projects in India aspiring for LEED rating are advised to register with
GBCI. The ‘LEED India’ projects which are already registered with IGBC up to 30June2018. This policy
is in accordance with our understanding with USGBC.
To achieve IGBC rating, the project must satisfy all the mandatory requirements and the minimum
number of credit points. The project team is expected to provide supporting documents at preliminary and
final stage of submission, for all the mandatory requirements and the credits attempted.
Green building rating brings together a host of sustainable practices and solutions to reduce the
environmental impacts. Green building design provides an integrated approach considering life cycle
impacts of the resource used.
IGBC Green building rating system:

1. IGBC green new buildings

-Sustainable architecture &design, Site selection and planning,Water conservation,
Energy efficiency, Building materials and resources, Indoor environmental quality,
Innovation and development.

1. IGBC green residential societies

-Facility management, Sustainable water practices, Energy conservation, Waste
Management, Innovative practices.

1. IGBC green schools

-Site selection and planning, sustainable water practices, Conserving and harvesting
Energy, Eco friendly school material, Indoor environmental quality, Healthcare
and hygiene, Green education.

1. IGBC green campus

-Site planning and management, Sustainable transportation, Water conservation,
Energy efficiency, Material and resource management, Health and well-being,
Green education, Innovation in design.

1. IGBC green cities

-Higher density and compact development, Promote transit oriented development,
Preservation and restoration of water bodies and Eco- sensitive zones, Offer a
Variety of housing typologies, Reduces distances between home and workplaces,
Pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environments, Enhanced community bonding in
Neighbourhood.

1. IGBC green landscapes

-Site selection and planning, Selection of species for landscape, Material selection,
Water conservation, Operation and maintenance, Health and well-being.

1. Government incentives to IGBC projects

 2. IGBC green resort rating
-Guest experience, Resort design and infrastructure, Sustainable landscape, Societal
Contribution, Resort facility management, Innovation and development.

1. IGBC green existing buildings

-Site facility and management, Water efficiency, Innovation, Energy efficiency.

1. IGBC green interiors

-Eco design approach, Interior materials, Energy efficiency, Indoor environment.

1. IGBC green factory buildings

-Site selection and planning, Water conservation, Indoor environmental
quality and occupational health, Energy conservation, Innovation.

1. IGBC green villages

-Health and hygiene, Village infrastructure, Water conservation, Materials and
Resources, Social and community actions.

1. IGBC green existing cities

2. IGBC green mass rapid transit system

1. IGBC green affordable housing

-Site measures, Water conservation, Energy conservation, Material conservation.

1. IGBC green homes

-Site selection and planning, Water conservation, Energy efficiency, Indoor
Environmental quality, Materials and resources.

1. IGBC green healthcare

-Indoor environmental quality, Sanitisation and hygiene, Water conservation,
Site selection and planning.

1. Renewable of IGBC green rating

2. IGBC green data center

1. IGBC green townships

-Site selection and planning, Land use planning, Transportation planning,
Innovation and design process, infrastructure resource management.

1. IGBC green SEZs

-Site preservation and restoration, Site planning and design, Water efficiency.

1. IGBC green existing mass rapid transit system

2. IGBC health and well-being rating

All the IGBC rating systems are voluntary, consensus based, market-driven building programmes. The
rating systems are based on the five elements of the nature(Panchabutas) and are a perfect blend of
ancient architectural practices and modern technological innovations. The rating systems are applicable to
all five climatic zones of the country. IGBC rating programmes have become National by choice and
Global in performance.
Certification is applicable to the following rating systems:
1.IGBC green new buildings
2.IGBC green existing buildings
3.IGBC green homes
4.IGBC green schools
5.IGBC green factory buildings
6.IGBC green townships
7.IGBC green SEZs
8.IGBC green landscapes
9.IGBC green mass rapid transit system

Example:
NO. GREEN BUILDINGS RATING RECEIVED
01 ABN Amro Bank N.V, Ahmedabad Platinum
02 American Embassy School, Delhi Gold
03 Anna Centenary Library Building, Chennai Gold
04 Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd (BCIL), Platinum
Bangalore
05 Birla International School, Jaipur Gold
06 CII- Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre Platinum
07 ITC Green centre, Gurgaon Platinum
08 Olympia Technology Park, Chennai Gold
09 Rajiv Gandhi international Airport, hyderabad Silver
10 Suzlon Energy Limited- Global Headquarter, Pune Platinum

Case Study: Lakeside Senior Apartments

Built by a partnership between the Oakland Housing Authority and Satellite Affordable Housing
Associates, Lakeside Senior Apartments provides 92 permanently affordable apartments for seniors
whose income is at or below 50% of the area median income, including 32 homes set aside for formerly
homeless individuals who are also disabled. Satellite Affordable Housing Associates and St. Mary’s
Center are partnering to offer a robust supportive services program that includes a variety of community
building activities, case management, and continuing education classes to all residents free of charge,
empowering them to age in place and live independently for as long as possible.

Thoughtfully designed by David Baker Architects, the five story LEED Platinum community includes
two community kitchens, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a wellness room, a community garden, a
computer lab, a large community room that connects to a landscaped outdoor community space, and a
penthouse multi-purpose room with sweeping vistas of Lake Merritt and the Oakland skyline. These
ample and well-appointed common areas, combined with the comprehensive services program, will
enrich residents’ lives with numerous opportunities for social interaction and community involvement.
Lakeside Senior Apartments numerous green building measures and sustainable design feature helped the
project earn an impressive Platinum rating from the USGBC LEED for Homes rating system.

Community and Site Design

As an infill development, Lakeside is ideally located adjacent to Lake Merritt and within walking distance
to many neighborhood amenities, including grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, parks, and numerous
public transportation options. Since many of the seniors who reside at Lakeside do not have access to
personal vehicles, the ability to easily access everyday amenities is critical to their success in living
independently as they continue to age.

Design with Nature

The ground-floor courtyard, which makes up less than 10% of the site area to increase density and reduce
irrigation needs, is a prominent feature of the project, designed as a "parterre” garden – a richly planted
patchwork of native and drought-tolerant plants meant to be viewed from above. The courtyard connects
seamlessly into private patios and a large community room. The courtyard planters and permeable paving
at both the courtyard and roof decks manage storm water runoff. Additionally, residents’ plant and care
for raised vegetable beds at the 5th floor roof deck while enjoying breathtaking views of Lake Merritt.

Energy Efficient Buildings and Systems

The building exceeds California's strict energy code by 22.6%, thus providing comfortable homes with
low cost energy bills, essential for our low-income tenants. The massing on the south is arranged around
shared balconies, which provide built-in shading while maintaining ample glazing area for daylight. On
the west side, glazing is minimized and shaded to control any exposure to the seasonal heat spikes that
occasionally take Oakland by surprise. A 35 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) array produces electricity
from the sun to meet most of the electric demand of the common spaces, elevator and outdoor lighting.
Exterior lights were strategically designed with low energy fixtures to reduce light pollution and energy
use. A solar thermal system also contributes 50% of the hot water needs of the building. Heat-recovery
ventilation units were specified in each apartment to take full advantage of enhanced ventilation rates.
While continuous filtered ventilation boosts indoor air quality, the heat recovery reduces residents’
dependence on heating systems by tempering the incoming air during winter. Fluorescent and LED light
fixtures in each unit along with extensive daylighting, and occupancy and motion sensors in common
areas were employed to minimize electric lighting loads. Finally, a high-quality and well-insulated
envelope increases resident comfort and minimize drafts and heat loss.

Durable and Resource Efficient Materials

As long term owner and operator, SAHA is always concerned with a materials durability and ease of
maintenance. At Lakeside, we used fiber-cement siding as the primary exterior finish as it is very resistant
to rot with the added bonus of being cost-efficient. In the kitchens, quarz agglomerate countertops were
selected for their high durability and beauty, and more than 80% of cabinet casework was sourced from
FSC-certified wood. We installed high efficiency toilets, showerheads, faucets and laundry equipment in
efforts to reduce potable water needs by 40% compared to a typical new building.

Indoor Air Quality

Improving indoor air quality in the home is an increasing important goal as the rates of respiratory
illnesses like asthma are on the rise. Our enhanced continuous ventilation system, along with safe
contaminant control during and after construction was the principal priority for ensuring indoor comfort
and optimal air quality. To further reduce exposure to airborne irritants, we chose paints, adhesives and
carpets with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and/or no formaldehyde