5.1.4.1.1. LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C)

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). In India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formed the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in the year 2001 and has licensed the LEED Green Building Standard from the USGBC.

LEED is a framework designed for improving the environmental and human health performance of buildings. It helps architects, builders, and other stakeholders create more efficient and sustainable buildings. In India, the establishment of the IGBC shows that local organizations are adapting the LEED standards to fit their context. They aim to enhance sustainability practices in building construction.

Think of LEED as a grading system for students, where buildings earn points for being energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Just as a student must meet criteria to achieve a good grade, a building must comply with specific benchmarks to obtain a LEED certification.

There are various kinds of LEED certifications depending on the types and the phase of the building projects, as follows: LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) for new construction or major renovations, LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) for complete interior fit-out projects, LEED Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) for existing buildings, LEED Neighbourhood Development (ND), LEED Homes for single-family homes, and LEED Cities for entire cities.

LEED provides multiple certification categories to cater to different types of projects. For instance, 'BD+C' is focused on new buildings or major renovations, ensuring that fresh constructions consider sustainability from their inception. Similarly, 'O+M' focuses on existing buildings, emphasizing improvements that can be made without extensive construction, while 'ND' pertains to land development projects. This ensures comprehensive coverage for all types of building projects.

Think of LEED certification as different types of awards for various kinds of achievements. Just as there are awards for best actor in movies, documentaries, and television shows, LEED has specific awards for different types of buildings and phases, making sure all efforts toward building sustainability are recognized.

To obtain LEED certification, a project accumulates points by adhering to prerequisites and fulfilling criteria related to carbon emissions, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, transportation, materials usage, and indoor environmental quality.

LEED certification involves a point-based system, similar to how students earn grades based on performance in various subjects. Projects must meet specific prerequisites and can earn additional points by addressing various performance categories such as energy use, carbon emissions, and water management. The combination of points determines the level of LEED certification awarded, including levels such as Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Imagine you are on a sports team where you get points for each accomplishment, like scoring goals or assisting teammates. The more points you earn through various contributions, the higher the rank or title you achieve on the team. Similarly, buildings earn points to achieve a certain LEED certification level based on their sustainable practices.

Notably, climate change accounts for 35%, human health impacts for 20%, water resources for 15%, biodiversity for 10%, green economy for 10%, and community and natural resources for 5%.

The point distribution reflects the importance placed on various environmental factors when assessing buildings. For instance, a significant portion of points is allotted for practices that reduce climate change impact, highlighting its urgency in today's world. Other factors, such as human health and water conservation, also play critical roles in the overall scoring system, ensuring a balanced approach towards building sustainability.

Consider a pie chart where each slice represents how much emphasis is placed on different aspects of a project. A larger slice for climate change means this is a priority, much like if a teacher emphasizes math over history in a curriculum. In this context, buildings need to focus more on reducing their climate impact to achieve a higher LEED certification level.

The major categories and their respective credits include: Energy and Atmosphere (33 credits), Location and Transportation (16 credits), Materials and Resources (13 credits), Sustainable Sites (10 credits), Water efficiency (10 credits), Innovation (6 credits), Regional Priority Credits (4 credits), and Integrative Process (1 credit).

Different aspects of a building's function and its surroundings are evaluated through credits. For example, the 'Energy and Atmosphere' category focuses on optimizing energy performance, which is crucial for reducing a building's carbon footprint. Others, like 'Materials and Resources', assess the sustainability of the materials used. This structured approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of the building’s overall impact.

Think of this like different sections of a cooking competition where participants are critiqued on various dishes. Just as a chef can earn points for flavor, presentation, and creativity, building projects earn points in different categories, making sure every element of design and function is considered.

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