From the Seattle
Department of Planning and Development blog,
Building Connections:
The Office of Sustainability and Environment has recently completed an
analysis of LEED and Built Green projects certified in Seattle through
2011. . . .The reports identify the most commonly implemented sustainable design
strategies and calculate the anticipated savings in energy, water and
waste for these projects. For instance, energy reductions for Seattle’s
Built Green projects are expected to save a total of 6,646.8 MBTU
(million British Thermal Unit) per year.
See the their
blog post for their link to the reports. Some tidbits:
- Of the 102 LEED certified buildings in Seattle, 29 are commercial interior projects, while the other 77 are new construction.
- 47 of the projects got the most common rating, LEED Gold. Only 4 got LEED Platinum.
- 98 projects achieved the MRc2 credit, which diverts construction and demolition debris from disposal through recycling or salvage. 90% of the construction waste, or 174,000 tons, was diverted.
- 94 projects achieved the MRc4 credit for recycled content. The most common products recycled in new construction projects were metals, concrete, and gypsum. Total value of recycled content materials was $131,490,900.
- MRc5, Regional Materials, was also very commonly achieved.
- The least common Materials Resource credits pursued or achieved were MRc1, Building Reuse, MRc3, Materials Reuse, and MRc6, Rapidly Renewable Materials. Less than 10% of projects achieved these credits.
Since some credits are clearly more easily achievable or more preferable than others, is LEED making a big change to structural engineering? Will the proposed credits in LEED v4, open for public comment, make a bigger difference?
