Battery Park City Authority
One World Financial Center
24th Floor
New York, NY 10281
http://www.batteryparkcity.org/
**** The primary source for all of this information is the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Reference Guide for New Construction & Major Renovations (LEED-NC) Version 2.1 Second Edition May 2003 ---
U.S. Green Building Council
1015 18th Street NW, Suite 805
Washington, DC 20036
LEED- Certification Levels |
|
| Level |
Credits |
| Certified |
26 to 32 |
| Silver |
33 to 38 |
| Gold |
39 to 51 |
| Platinum |
52 to 69 |
LEED Categories
1. Sustainable Sites (SS) – 14 possible credits
When considering site alternatives, it is important to consider the environmental criteria throughout the site selection process. When choosing a site the site’s major ecological features need to be identified. Ecological features include the site’s vegetation, wildlife and history. Selection of an appropriate project location can reduce the need for private automobile use and reduce urban congestion. In addition, by addressing heat island effects and reducing light pollution, the site can be integrated into its surroundings and serve as a considerate and beneficial neighbor for the lifetime of the building.
2. Water Efficiency (WE) – 5 possible credits
In the United States alone, approximately 340 billion gallons of fresh water are withdrawn per day from rivers, streams and reservoirs to support residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and recreational activities. In some parts of the United States, water levels have dropped more than 100 feet since the 1940s. On a positive note, U.S. industries today use 36% less water than they did in 1950. This reduction in water use is largely due to the rigorous water management strategies in industrial processes. Water efficiency can reduce costs through a lower water usage fee, reduction in sewage water to be treated, and reduction in capacity charges and limits. For the Riverhouse on Rockefeller Park building the overall usage of potable water has been reduced by more than 30%. Included in this figure is the reduction of more than 50% of potable water for building sewage.
3. Energy and Atmosphere (EA) – 17 possible credits
75% of the energy consumed across the U.S. is produced through the combustion of fossil fuels. Production of electricity through the use of fossil fuels such as oil and coal requires extraction, transportation, refining, power generation and distribution. These processes significantly impact the environment in a myriad of adverse ways. The pollutants that are released into the environment through the combustion of fossil fuels have the potential consequence of climate changes affecting communities worldwide. These changes include rising sea levels, coastal floods, severe droughts, heat waves, and disease migration. Energy consumption can be dramatically reduced through practices that are economical and readily achievable. Improving the energy performance of a building lowers operations costs, reduces pollution generated by power plants and other energy-producing equipment, and enhances comfort. Companies and individuals can reduce energy loads by use of improved glazing, insulation, day lighting and use of passive solar features, which may in concert enable the design team to downsize the mechanical HVAC systems.
4. Materials and Resources (MR) – 13 possible credits
The production of building materials pollutes the air and water, destroys natural habitats and depletes natural resources. Construction and demolition wastes constitute about 40% of the total solid waste in the United States. One of the most effective strategies for minimizing the environmental impact of material waste is to reuse the construction materials and existing building shells. In addition to reusing building materials, using local materials for construction can reduce the impact on transportation. The use of rapidly renewable materials and third-party certified woods minimize the impact on natural resource consumption to manufacture new building materials. One such example of a rapidly renewable material is bamboo. Some species of bamboo grow approximately one (1) meter per day, making it the fastest growing plant on the planet.
5. Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) – 15 possible credits
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, where levels of pollutants may be two to 100 times-higher than outdoor levels. The World Health Organization states that most of a person’s daily exposure to many air pollutants comes through inhalation of indoor air. These pollutants can cause an array of different health reactions such as asthma and allergies. The World Health Organization estimates that 17 million Americans suffer from asthma and 40 million have allergies, thus contributing to millions of days absent from school and work. Improvements to indoor environmental quality (IEQ) will help lower pollution levels causing an increase in worker productivity by as much as 16%. Prevention of air quality problems is generally much less expensive than cleaning up after these problems occur. The strategies to improve IEQ include increased ratios of filtered outside air, ventilation effectiveness, moisture management, and control of contaminants.
6. Innovation and Design Process (ID) – 5 possible credits
The purpose of this LEEDTM category is to recognize projects for innovative building features and sustainable building knowledge. This category rewards expertise in sustainable buildings in the design and construction process.
Plaza Construction Corporation is proud to be a part of the One River Terrace team and is looks forward to continued work in this new and vital approach to design and construction.
Battery Park City Authority
One World Financial Center
24th Floor
New York, NY 10281
http://www.batteryparkcity.org/
**** The primary source for all of this information is the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Reference Guide for New Construction & Major Renovations (LEED-NC) Version 2.1 Second Edition May 2003 ---
U.S. Green Building Council
1015 18th Street NW, Suite 805
Washington, DC 20036