ARCH 633Advanced Technologies for Green Building

Ball State University Spring 2017 Ximena Mellado Cuevas

LEED for Homes - Prerequisites

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction: Homes and Multifamily Low-rise

Location and Transportation

Floodplain AvoidanceIt is always in good judgment to select a site (for any building) that is not located on a floodplain. As the term indicates, a floodplain collects water during the rain seasons, inviting water to penetrate inside the house. Water penetration is undesirable for any homeowner. It can lead to serious and expensive problems in the future. Therefore, it makes sense that it has been set as a requirement for LEED certification, and thus should be met for the Race to Zero design competition.

Sustainable Sites

Construction Activity Pollution PreventionConstruction Activity Pollution prevention is probably one of the easiest requirements to meet under LEED certification. This requirement prevents construction runoff from leaving the project’s site. Such preventions can be taken by placing a fence around the construction site and by responsibly disposing of unused materials and trash. Such prevention methods should be met in the Race to Zero design competition.

No Invasive PlantsThe incorporation of native plants into the landscape has many advantages: heat island reduction, rainwater retention, and the incorporation of a quality outdoor environment. Native plants are accustomed to their respective geographic climate, soil and precipitation. They are undisruptive to the existing natural environment as well. Therefore, this requirement should be met in the design for the Race to Zero design competition.

Water Efficiency

Water MeteringMetering is one of the easiest ways to track water consumption. It helps ensure that water fixtures perform up to the promised standards of water reduction. As a second point of reference, it is also a good idea to place sub-meters. The use of sub-meters is useful in identifying disparities when consumption is drastically high. Thus, this requirement will be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Energy and Atmosphere

Minimum Energy PerformanceThe minimum energy performance requirement has the highest impact in environmental design and LEED certification. It is also one of the most challenging requirements to meet, due to its stringent threshold. Careful considerations and thoughtful decisions should be made in the design of the project, since many factors will have an impact on this specific category. For this specific requirement, something could be easily missed, therefore will remain a question mark for the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Energy MeteringEnergy metering serves essentially the same purpose as water metering; the only exception is that it tracks energy consumption. Metering ensures that appliances and fixtures perform to the promised standard of energy reduction, identifying disparities in energy consumption. Therefore, should be an easy requirement to meet in the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Education of the Homeowner, Tenant or Building ManagerAs new technology advancements in energy reduction are being developed every day, it is important to maintain the homeowner, tenant and/or building manager appraised in the operation of such systems. Taking the time to teach these individuals the proper use and maintenance of these energy systems will enhance in the house’s overall energy performance. It could also prevent costly damages in the future. This requirement should be easily met in the Race to Zero design competition.

Materials and Resources

Certified Tropical WoodsThis requirement encourages the use of reclaimed and/or recycled wood in the specification of wood for cabinets, flooring, counters, and any other finishes for the house. Through conscious decision-making, designers will encourage a responsible management of our environments. Therefore, this requirement will be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Durability ManagementGood construction strategies will ensure the longevity of the house, resulting in low maintenance and overall building performance. It is a sustainable alternative that encourages careful material selection, quality design strategies, and conscious construction practices. As non-design aspects play important roles into the longevity of a building, it is unknown whether this requirement will be met for the design of the Race to Zero competition. Indoor Environmental Quality.

VentilationThe incorporation of operable windows in the project’s design is imperative for ventilation, as it allows the flow of fresh air into the house. Moreover, windows should be strategically placed so that airflow has the ability to cool the interior environment as necessary. Thus, the ventilation requirement should be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Combustion VentingAll the appliances specified with a risk of combustion gases leakage should have the proper ventilation system to extract such gases away from the living spaces. These precautions are properly taken by responsible designers to provide a quality living space. Roof vents should be incorporated in the design for the Race to Zero competition in order to meet this requirement.

Garage Pollutant ProtectionWall partitions that separate garages from the rest of the living space should be built up to the roof of the house to ensure the separation of pollutants from the living space. If taking wall partitions to the roof of the house is undesirable, a hard ceiling should be incorporated inside the garage for pollutant prevention. Separating the living spaces from vehicular gases and any other fumes that may be stored inside a garage is crucial in providing a good quality indoor living environment. Thus, this specific requirement should be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Radon Resistant ConstructionProper foundation design is essential for radon prevention. The placement of a vapor barrier on top of a layer of gravel will help prevent soil gases from entering the house. Proper sealing and caulking of the floor will help prevent radon penetration inside the house as well. The incorporation of these strategies into the design of the house will create a radon resistant construction, thus meeting the requirement toward LEED certification.

Air FilteringHVAC systems that have the capacity to infuse fresh air, filter it and incorporate it inside the house should be considered as an integral part of the house’s design. A constant infusion of fresh air, as well as extraction poor air, will contribute to a healthy living environment. Such systems should include a monitoring process that which will effectively filter fresh air into the house. As today’s technology advancements have incorporated filtering processes into HVAC system, the project for the Race to Zero competition should meet the requirement.

Environmental Tobacco SmokeThe use of tobacco products is undesirable for a healthy living environment. However, it is extremely difficult to monitor people’s actions inside their own home, making this an incredibly challenging requirement. Designers have the ability to propose exterior designated areas for smoking. If smoking will be conducted inside the house, well-ventilated spaces should be considered for a healthy living environment. Since it is difficult to guarantee a smoke free environment inside a house it is unsure whether this requirement will be met or not.

CompartmentalizationCompartmentalization of spaces ensures that minimal leakage of gases and pollutants will be transferred from dwelling to dwelling. This is especially important in the design of attached housing units. Such compartmentalization can be achieved by properly sealing penetrations in walls, floors and ceilings that are shared by more than one unit. Moreover, it is important to place weather-strips on all doors leading to shared spaces, windows should be properly sealed as well, minimizing the interior’s exposure to pollutants. Thus, this requirement should be met by the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Innovation

Preliminary RatingIt is important to discuss sustainability goals as early in the design process as possible. LEED encourages charrettes as part of the design process, enabling team members to conduct a preliminary pass at the checklist and make assessments about LEED certification. It is in good practice to implement work sessions early in the design process to ensure that sustainability goals are met in the design process. Therefore, the Ball State design team in the Race to Zero competition should meet this requirement.

Prerequisite - met Prerequisite - unsure Prerequisite - unmet

Location and Transportation

Floodplain AvoidanceIt is always in good judgment to select a site (for any building) that is not located on a floodplain. As the term indicates, a floodplain collects water during the rain seasons, inviting water to penetrate inside the house. Water penetration is undesirable for any homeowner. It can lead to serious and expensive problems in the future. Therefore, it makes sense that it has been set as a requirement for LEED certification, and thus should be met for the Race to Zero design competition.

Sustainable Sites

Construction Activity Pollution PreventionConstruction Activity Pollution prevention is probably one of the easiest requirements to meet under LEED certification. This requirement prevents construction runoff from leaving the project’s site. Such preventions can be taken by placing a fence around the construction site and by responsibly disposing of unused materials and trash. Such prevention methods should be met in the Race to Zero design competition.

No Invasive PlantsThe incorporation of native plants into the landscape has many advantages: heat island reduction, rainwater retention, and the incorporation of a quality outdoor environment. Native plants are accustomed to their respective geographic climate, soil and precipitation. They are undisruptive to the existing natural environment as well. Therefore, this requirement should be met in the design for the Race to Zero design competition.

Water Efficiency

Water MeteringMetering is one of the easiest ways to track water consumption. It helps ensure that water fixtures perform up to the promised standards of water reduction. As a second point of reference, it is also a good idea to place sub-meters. The use of sub-meters is useful in identifying disparities when consumption is drastically high. Thus, this requirement will be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Energy and Atmosphere

Minimum Energy PerformanceThe minimum energy performance requirement has the highest impact in environmental design and LEED certification. It is also one of the most challenging requirements to meet, due to its stringent threshold. Careful considerations and thoughtful decisions should be made in the design of the project, since many factors will have an impact on this specific category. For this specific requirement, something could be easily missed, therefore will remain a question mark for the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Energy MeteringEnergy metering serves essentially the same purpose as water metering; the only exception is that it tracks energy consumption. Metering ensures that appliances and fixtures perform to the promised standard of energy reduction, identifying disparities in energy consumption. Therefore, should be an easy requirement to meet in the design of the Race to Zero competition.

ARCH 633Advanced Technologies for Green Building

Ball State University Spring 2017 Ximena Mellado Cuevas

LEED for Homes - Prerequisites

Education of the Homeowner, Tenant or Building ManagerAs new technology advancements in energy reduction are being developed every day, it is important to maintain the homeowner, tenant and/or building manager appraised in the operation of such systems. Taking the time to teach these individuals the proper use and maintenance of these energy systems will enhance in the house’s overall energy performance. It could also prevent costly damages in the future. This requirement should be easily met in the Race to Zero design competition.

Materials and Resources

Certified Tropical WoodsThis requirement encourages the use of reclaimed and/or recycled wood in the specification of wood for cabinets, flooring, counters, and any other finishes for the house. Through conscious decision-making, designers will encourage a responsible management of our environments. Therefore, this requirement will be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Durability ManagementGood construction strategies will ensure the longevity of the house, resulting in low maintenance and overall building performance. It is a sustainable alternative that encourages careful material selection, quality design strategies, and conscious construction practices. As non-design aspects play important roles into the longevity of a building, it is unknown whether this requirement will be met for the design of the Race to Zero competition. Indoor Environmental Quality.

VentilationThe incorporation of operable windows in the project’s design is imperative for ventilation, as it allows the flow of fresh air into the house. Moreover, windows should be strategically placed so that airflow has the ability to cool the interior environment as necessary. Thus, the ventilation requirement should be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Combustion VentingAll the appliances specified with a risk of combustion gases leakage should have the proper ventilation system to extract such gases away from the living spaces. These precautions are properly taken by responsible designers to provide a quality living space. Roof vents should be incorporated in the design for the Race to Zero competition in order to meet this requirement.

Garage Pollutant ProtectionWall partitions that separate garages from the rest of the living space should be built up to the roof of the house to ensure the separation of pollutants from the living space. If taking wall partitions to the roof of the house is undesirable, a hard ceiling should be incorporated inside the garage for pollutant prevention. Separating the living spaces from vehicular gases and any other fumes that may be stored inside a garage is crucial in providing a good quality indoor living environment. Thus, this specific requirement should be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Radon Resistant ConstructionProper foundation design is essential for radon prevention. The placement of a vapor barrier on top of a layer of gravel will help prevent soil gases from entering the house. Proper sealing and caulking of the floor will help prevent radon penetration inside the house as well. The incorporation of these strategies into the design of the house will create a radon resistant construction, thus meeting the requirement toward LEED certification.

Air FilteringHVAC systems that have the capacity to infuse fresh air, filter it and incorporate it inside the house should be considered as an integral part of the house’s design. A constant infusion of fresh air, as well as extraction poor air, will contribute to a healthy living environment. Such systems should include a monitoring process that which will effectively filter fresh air into the house. As today’s technology advancements have incorporated filtering processes into HVAC system, the project for the Race to Zero competition should meet the requirement.

Environmental Tobacco SmokeThe use of tobacco products is undesirable for a healthy living environment. However, it is extremely difficult to monitor people’s actions inside their own home, making this an incredibly challenging requirement. Designers have the ability to propose exterior designated areas for smoking. If smoking will be conducted inside the house, well-ventilated spaces should be considered for a healthy living environment. Since it is difficult to guarantee a smoke free environment inside a house it is unsure whether this requirement will be met or not.

CompartmentalizationCompartmentalization of spaces ensures that minimal leakage of gases and pollutants will be transferred from dwelling to dwelling. This is especially important in the design of attached housing units. Such compartmentalization can be achieved by properly sealing penetrations in walls, floors and ceilings that are shared by more than one unit. Moreover, it is important to place weather-strips on all doors leading to shared spaces, windows should be properly sealed as well, minimizing the interior’s exposure to pollutants. Thus, this requirement should be met by the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Innovation

Preliminary RatingIt is important to discuss sustainability goals as early in the design process as possible. LEED encourages charrettes as part of the design process, enabling team members to conduct a preliminary pass at the checklist and make assessments about LEED certification. It is in good practice to implement work sessions early in the design process to ensure that sustainability goals are met in the design process. Therefore, the Ball State design team in the Race to Zero competition should meet this requirement.

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction: Homes and Multifamily Low-risePrerequisite - met Prerequisite - unsure Prerequisite - unmet

Location and Transportation

Floodplain AvoidanceIt is always in good judgment to select a site (for any building) that is not located on a floodplain. As the term indicates, a floodplain collects water during the rain seasons, inviting water to penetrate inside the house. Water penetration is undesirable for any homeowner. It can lead to serious and expensive problems in the future. Therefore, it makes sense that it has been set as a requirement for LEED certification, and thus should be met for the Race to Zero design competition.

Sustainable Sites

Construction Activity Pollution PreventionConstruction Activity Pollution prevention is probably one of the easiest requirements to meet under LEED certification. This requirement prevents construction runoff from leaving the project’s site. Such preventions can be taken by placing a fence around the construction site and by responsibly disposing of unused materials and trash. Such prevention methods should be met in the Race to Zero design competition.

No Invasive PlantsThe incorporation of native plants into the landscape has many advantages: heat island reduction, rainwater retention, and the incorporation of a quality outdoor environment. Native plants are accustomed to their respective geographic climate, soil and precipitation. They are undisruptive to the existing natural environment as well. Therefore, this requirement should be met in the design for the Race to Zero design competition.

Water Efficiency

Water MeteringMetering is one of the easiest ways to track water consumption. It helps ensure that water fixtures perform up to the promised standards of water reduction. As a second point of reference, it is also a good idea to place sub-meters. The use of sub-meters is useful in identifying disparities when consumption is drastically high. Thus, this requirement will be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Energy and Atmosphere

Minimum Energy PerformanceThe minimum energy performance requirement has the highest impact in environmental design and LEED certification. It is also one of the most challenging requirements to meet, due to its stringent threshold. Careful considerations and thoughtful decisions should be made in the design of the project, since many factors will have an impact on this specific category. For this specific requirement, something could be easily missed, therefore will remain a question mark for the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Energy MeteringEnergy metering serves essentially the same purpose as water metering; the only exception is that it tracks energy consumption. Metering ensures that appliances and fixtures perform to the promised standard of energy reduction, identifying disparities in energy consumption. Therefore, should be an easy requirement to meet in the design of the Race to Zero competition.

ARCH 633Advanced Technologies for Green Building

Ball State University Spring 2017 Ximena Mellado Cuevas

LEED for Homes - Prerequisites

Education of the Homeowner, Tenant or Building ManagerAs new technology advancements in energy reduction are being developed every day, it is important to maintain the homeowner, tenant and/or building manager appraised in the operation of such systems. Taking the time to teach these individuals the proper use and maintenance of these energy systems will enhance in the house’s overall energy performance. It could also prevent costly damages in the future. This requirement should be easily met in the Race to Zero design competition.

Materials and Resources

Certified Tropical WoodsThis requirement encourages the use of reclaimed and/or recycled wood in the specification of wood for cabinets, flooring, counters, and any other finishes for the house. Through conscious decision-making, designers will encourage a responsible management of our environments. Therefore, this requirement will be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Durability ManagementGood construction strategies will ensure the longevity of the house, resulting in low maintenance and overall building performance. It is a sustainable alternative that encourages careful material selection, quality design strategies, and conscious construction practices. As non-design aspects play important roles into the longevity of a building, it is unknown whether this requirement will be met for the design of the Race to Zero competition. Indoor Environmental Quality.

VentilationThe incorporation of operable windows in the project’s design is imperative for ventilation, as it allows the flow of fresh air into the house. Moreover, windows should be strategically placed so that airflow has the ability to cool the interior environment as necessary. Thus, the ventilation requirement should be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Combustion VentingAll the appliances specified with a risk of combustion gases leakage should have the proper ventilation system to extract such gases away from the living spaces. These precautions are properly taken by responsible designers to provide a quality living space. Roof vents should be incorporated in the design for the Race to Zero competition in order to meet this requirement.

Garage Pollutant ProtectionWall partitions that separate garages from the rest of the living space should be built up to the roof of the house to ensure the separation of pollutants from the living space. If taking wall partitions to the roof of the house is undesirable, a hard ceiling should be incorporated inside the garage for pollutant prevention. Separating the living spaces from vehicular gases and any other fumes that may be stored inside a garage is crucial in providing a good quality indoor living environment. Thus, this specific requirement should be easily met in the design for the Race to Zero competition.

Radon Resistant ConstructionProper foundation design is essential for radon prevention. The placement of a vapor barrier on top of a layer of gravel will help prevent soil gases from entering the house. Proper sealing and caulking of the floor will help prevent radon penetration inside the house as well. The incorporation of these strategies into the design of the house will create a radon resistant construction, thus meeting the requirement toward LEED certification.

Air FilteringHVAC systems that have the capacity to infuse fresh air, filter it and incorporate it inside the house should be considered as an integral part of the house’s design. A constant infusion of fresh air, as well as extraction poor air, will contribute to a healthy living environment. Such systems should include a monitoring process that which will effectively filter fresh air into the house. As today’s technology advancements have incorporated filtering processes into HVAC system, the project for the Race to Zero competition should meet the requirement.

Environmental Tobacco SmokeThe use of tobacco products is undesirable for a healthy living environment. However, it is extremely difficult to monitor people’s actions inside their own home, making this an incredibly challenging requirement. Designers have the ability to propose exterior designated areas for smoking. If smoking will be conducted inside the house, well-ventilated spaces should be considered for a healthy living environment. Since it is difficult to guarantee a smoke free environment inside a house it is unsure whether this requirement will be met or not.

CompartmentalizationCompartmentalization of spaces ensures that minimal leakage of gases and pollutants will be transferred from dwelling to dwelling. This is especially important in the design of attached housing units. Such compartmentalization can be achieved by properly sealing penetrations in walls, floors and ceilings that are shared by more than one unit. Moreover, it is important to place weather-strips on all doors leading to shared spaces, windows should be properly sealed as well, minimizing the interior’s exposure to pollutants. Thus, this requirement should be met by the design of the Race to Zero competition.

Innovation

Preliminary RatingIt is important to discuss sustainability goals as early in the design process as possible. LEED encourages charrettes as part of the design process, enabling team members to conduct a preliminary pass at the checklist and make assessments about LEED certification. It is in good practice to implement work sessions early in the design process to ensure that sustainability goals are met in the design process. Therefore, the Ball State design team in the Race to Zero competition should meet this requirement.

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction: Homes and Multifamily Low-risePrerequisite - met Prerequisite - unsure Prerequisite - unmet