LEED, Sustainability, Green, Energy Efficiency…. and Schools?
What does it mean?

TRIAD Architects is committed to helping school districts understand the principles of LEED, the advantages and disadvantages of going Green and helping them make informed decisions about how to meet their goals in these areas.

What is LEED?- The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a nationally recognized system developed by the not for profit group the U.S. Green Building Council to provide third-party verification that a building project is environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy place to live and work.

LEED Design Principles –  Each LEED Rating System (New Construction & Major Renovations, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors, Core & Shell, Schools, Retail, Healthcare, Homes and Neighborhood Development) categorizes the LEED design principles into the categories listed below.
Sustainable Sites – This category deals with the issues involved with the building’s site such as erosion, transportation, density, storm water management, heat island reduction and light pollution.
Water Efficiency – This category covers matters involved with the building’s water systems such as water efficiency and waste water management
Energy and Atmosphere – This category handles issues involved in the building’s energy management systems and power consumption such as energy performance, renewable energy and refrigerant management.
Materials and Resources –  This category deals with matters involved with the building’s material and resource usage and consumption such as recycling, building reuse, waste management, use of recycled content in materials, using regional materials and using renewable materials.
Indoor Environmental Quality – This category deals with issues involved in the quality of the indoor environment such as indoor air quality, acoustical performance, ventilation, cleaning materials, lighting systems, thermal comfort, daylight and views and mold prevention.
Innovation and Design Process – This category handles unique and innovative items in all the above categories.

LEED Certification-  LEED registration is a process by which a building Owner completes a series of submittals to gain points in the different LEED design principle categories.  Dependant on the number of points achieved the building can receive Certification, Silver Certification, Gold Certification or Platinum Certification.
LEED for Schools – LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools and addresses the specific needs of school spaces.  Currently all new OSFC funded projects are required to be LEED for Schools, Silver Certified.
LEED for Existing Buildings – LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance provides a benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance.

LEED Accredited Professionals- TRIAD Architects offers professionals who have completed the LEED Professional Accreditation exam.  These individuals have been specifically trained in the implementation of LEED design principles and completing the LEED registration process.