The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) said it has availability of a new path for California project developers seeking LEED certification.
Starting July 1, non-residential projects in California subject to the mandatory 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements will be able to use an alternative documentation path for LEED. CALGreen is the nation’s first statewide mandatory green building code, covering nearly all residential and nonresidential construction in California.
This new path will make beyond-code green building leadership even more accessible as the state continues to set more aggressive targets for energy and water efficiency, USGBC says.
The alternative documentation path outlines a set of documents that projects may provide in lieu of standard LEED documentation in order to demonstrate LEED compliance.
The alternative documentation path will be available for use on factors related to indoor water use reduction, refrigerant management, the storage and collection of recyclables, construction waste management, and the use of low-emitting paints and adhesives.
“These new streamlined documentation options offer cost savings to project teams while maintaining the quality and rigor of LEED,” says Jeremy Sigmon, director of Technical Policy, USGBC. “In turn, projects already designing and building to the CALGreen code will find LEED and its many benefits more readily within reach.”
Related Stories
Green | Jun 14, 2017
After Paris: What’s at stake for the building industry
In the wake of President Trump’s unilateral decision to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, many in the building industry have optimistically pointed to unstoppable market forces pushing the sector towards a post-carbon future.
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Next-gen materials for the built environment, Blaine Brownell, Transmaterial
Architect and materials guru Blaine Brownell reveals emerging trends and applications that are transforming the technological capacity, environmental performance, and design potential of architecture.
Office Buildings | Jun 8, 2017
Take a look at the plans for Google’s new 1 million-sf London campus
Heatherwick Studio and BIG are designing the 11-story building.
| May 30, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Health-generating buildings, Marcene Kinney, Angela Mazzi, GBBN Architects
Architects Marcene Kinney and Angela Mazzi share design hacks pinpointing specific aspects of the built environment that affect behavior, well-being, and performance.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Industry Groups move toward Unified Green Building Model Code in 2018
The effort involves combining ASHRAE's Standard 189.1 with the International Green Construction Code.
Multifamily Housing | May 22, 2017
Zaha Hadid Architects residential development takes a page from a classic Bradbury tale
The buildings are on an elevated platform and the surrounding walkways are suspended so as not to disturb the surrounding ecosystems.
Architects | May 16, 2017
Architecture that helps children fall in love with the environment
The coming decades present a major ecological challenge... so let’s encourage the next generation to do something about it!
Sustainability | May 16, 2017
1.5 million recycled plastic bottles were used to build this nine-story structure in Taipei
The building is made of Polli-Brick, a building material that comes from 100% recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Polymer.
Retail Centers | May 3, 2017
18 Carbon fiber wings grace Foster + Partners-designed Apple Dubai Mall terrace
The store’s large terrace provides views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain.
Green | May 2, 2017
Green buildings don't have to cost more
What impact does sustainable design have on owners with a finite construction budget or developers who won’t own the building after construction?
