Making the Case for Building “Green” Health Care Facilities

O’Brien & Company

Sponsored by the Business & Industry Resource Venture

Sustainability:Meeting the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

“…We are all here together, at once, at the service and mercy of nature and each other.” Paul Hawken, Ecology of Commerce

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A philosophy that integrates environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefit/equity through the design, construction, and operation of the built environment.

What is Sustainable Building?

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“...buildings designed, constructed, and operated to be very energy efficient; use construction materials wisely, including recycled, renewable, and reused resources to the maximum extent practical; are healthy for their occupants; and typically have lower operation and maintenance costs.” - City of Seattle, 2/12/01

What is a Green Building?

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Modern Buildings Spend Natural Capital...

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0%

10%

20%

30%

40% Timber

Water

Energy

RawMaterials

…With Significant Consequences

Use of Virgin Materials Landscape destruction Toxic runoff from mines Deforestation Air and Water

Pollution

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…With Significant Consequences

Use of Energy Resources Local air pollution Damming of rivers Global warming and climate change

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…With Significant Consequences

Production of waste Landfill problems

• Leaching of heavy metals

• Water pollution

Unhealthy indoor air Illness, Health complaints Reduced productivity

absenteeism

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…So Who Will Pay the Price of Spending our Natural Capital?

Higher energy costs Higher water rates Higher costs for raw materials Higher costs for environmental “fixes” Higher costs for labor Higher costs to maintain an un-sustainable

quality of life

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Environmental ObjectivesIndoor Environmental Quality

• Lighting

• Ergonomics

• IAQ

• Acoustical and Thermal Comfort

Resource Conservation• Energy, Water, Materials

Ecosystem Protection• Site-Based

• Region

• BeyondO’Brien & Company

Benefits of Achieving Objectives

Indoor Environmental Quality• Improved health and productivity of building users

Resource Conservation• Reduced operating costs for energy and water using

equipment

• Reduced materials waste

Ecosystem Protection• Reduced cost for stormwater protection

• Protected water resources

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Key Areas of Potential for Green Health Care Facilities

Productivity and Health for Patients and Employees• Indoor Environmental Quality

Reducing Demand for Resources• Energy Efficiency• Water Conservation• Material Efficiency

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Key Areas of Concern for Green Health Care Facilities

Cost• Minimize by integrated design, identify

trade-offs• LCA to identify offsets through operational

savings• Low technology approaches• Full commissioning/Training• Integrate incentives in planning (see

handout)

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Key Areas of Concern for Green Health Care Facilities

Risk• Rely on tested technologies and products

(eco-labels, reliable directories)

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Key Areas of Concern for Green Health Care Facilities

Risk (continued)

• Focus on big bang items

• Start from where you are

• Work out the bugs

• Rely on professionals with “green”

experience

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Key Areas of Concern for Green Health Care Facilities

Risk (continued)• Integrate local resources in

• planning process

(see handout)

• Use a systematic approach

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US Green Building Council

Formed in 1993 to “accelerate the adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies, and standards.”

Council membership-more than 275 organizations including:

product manufacturers environmental leaders building and design professionals retailers and building owners

Overview of LEED™

Encourages integrated approachFocuses on five environmental disciplinesSelf-assessing system requiring

documentationOffers four levels of certificationIntended for the U. S. Market

LEED ™ Development to Date

LEED Commercial V.2.0, March 2000 - rates new and existing commercial, institutional and high-rise residential bldgs.

LEED Interiors, 2001, (Draft under review) rates tenant improvements.

LEED Residential, 2001, (In committee, under development)

LEED™ Environmental Disciplines

Sustainable Sites (8 credits/14 points)Water Efficiency (3 credits/5 points)Energy and Atmosphere (6 credits/17 points)Materials Efficiency (7 credits/13 points) Indoor Environmental Quality (8 credits/15 points) Innovation Credits (4 credits/4 points)

LEED™ Certification Levels

LEED Certified 26-32 points (40-50%)Silver Level 33-38 points (51-

60%)Gold Level 39-51 points (61-80%)Platinum Level 52 + points (81% +)

Why Adopt LEED for Your Projects?

“Green” design has growing market value. Provides an opportunity for leadership and

legacy.Public policies are promoting green building - a

national trend.Provides you with a clear benchmark for what’s

being recognized as “green.” Documentation requirements lend credibility to

claims to “green” design.

City of Seattle Sustainable Building Policy Today

It shall be the policy of the City of Seattle to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, maintain, and decommission its facilities and buildings to be sustainable. The US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system shall be used as a design and measurement tool to determine what constitutes sustainable building by national standards. All new and remodeled facilities and buildings over 5,000 gross square feet of occupied space shall meet a minimum

LEED Silver rating.

City of Seattle Sustainable Building Policy - Future

2/12/01 City Ordinance: Studies to Development of City Wide Green Building Program. Accelerate Incentives and/or Requirements for

Commercial and Residential (non-city funded). Amend Seattle Energy Code to 20% beyond current

baselines. Enhance Code Enforcement procedures. Accelerate Greening of City Facilities

Recommended Strategies for Implementation of LEED

Sustainable design charrette early in schematic design

Use whole system thinking to explore design relationships

Emphasize a multi-disciplinary, team design approach

Consider adding a sustainable design specialist to project team

Planning Sustainable Sites

Location of the building Protecting natural and agricultural areas Infill and brownfield development Reducing need for automobile use

Protection and restoration of the siteInnovative stormwater managementLight pollution reduction

Safeguarding Water

Reduce the quantity of water needed for the building and its occupants

Limit use of potable water use for irrigationUse innovative wastewater technologiesSafeguard the quality of drinking water and

water in our rivers, streams, and lakes

Improving Atmosphere and Energy Efficiency

Improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use

Use renewable and alternative energy sources

Provide building commissioningEliminate CFC’s, HCFC’s, Halons

(ozone depletion)

Conserving Materials and Resources

Reuse an existing buildingReduce the amount of materials neededUse local, regional, and renewable materialsChoose materials with less environmental

impactUse certified sustainably harvested woodReduce and manage waste

Enhancing Indoor Environmental Quality

Eliminate or reduce the sources of indoor pollutants

Ventilate and manage pollutantsEnsure thermal comfortMonitor air qualityProvide daylight and views

LEED Certification Process

Project RegistrationTechnical SupportCertification Application

Application form and LEED Scorecard Completed documentation required for credits

LEED Design Resources

Supplements to LEED (locally driven)http://www.usgbc.org

LEED V.2, Training and LEED Reference Guide