Development of a database methodology for compliance with regionally available materials standards of LEED(TM) Green Building Rating System.

摘要

Green building design is increasingly being considered by designers and builders across the United States. One strategy of green or sustainable design can be to use local or regionally manufactured and extracted materials for construction. The benefits of use of local materials are minimizing environmental and economic costs of transportation and supporting the local economy. This research developed a methodology for creating a database of regionally available materials which is applicable to universities and other large institutional owners and is targeted towards compliance with the "Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design" Green Building Rating System (LEEDRTM). LEED is a sustainable design based system which entails certification processes for "green" buildings. LEED addresses regionally manufactured and extracted materials as well as numerous other sustainable practices. This methodology for development of a database is centered on compliance with the regionally available materials standards of LEED.; The researcher conducted interviews with LEED Accredited Professionals and construction managers, developed a building case study, created a sample database and created a framework outlining the process of developing a database. Additionally, the researcher outlined the process of complying with the regionally available materials standards of LEED and identified high-impact materials for typical institutional buildings.