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Fall 2009
This is an archived article. Facts and links are current as of publication date.
This is an archived article. Facts and links are current as of publication date.
Installations are the Army's home. Their quality touches the safety, well-being and effectiveness of every Soldier, Family Member and civilian. As multiple, simultaneous changes spur a military construction boom, new buildings must meet high standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, health and comfort. Sustainable construction is one way the Army strives to provide Soldiers a quality of life measuring up to the quality of their service.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Low-VOC Paint
Proper Handling of Cleaning Supplies
Reduced water use
through waterless
urinals, low-flow
commodes flushed with
recycled water
through waterless
urinals, low-flow
commodes flushed with
recycled water
Recycleables storage and collection
Individually controlled
light and tempreture
light and tempreture
Optimized energy
performance through
networked "smart"
heating, ventilation
and cooling technology
performance through
networked "smart"
heating, ventilation
and cooling technology
Part-recycled, low-VOC
flooring. Carpet tiles
mean less waste.
flooring. Carpet tiles
mean less waste.
Use of captured rainwater and
recycled wastewater for irrigation
recycled wastewater for irrigation
Improved weathersealing
Photovoltaic cells for on-site renewable energy
Natural light and ventilation
Extra insulation
habitat protected or restored
White or vegetative roof reduces heat island effect
Water-efficient landscaping
Maximized open space
Orientation and exterior window
exposure so all interior spaces
benefit from natural daylight,
ventilation, beneficial views and
better energy performance
exposure so all interior spaces
benefit from natural daylight,
ventilation, beneficial views and
better energy performance
Parking reduced to legal minimum
Construction Activity pollution prevention
Construction waste management:
Materials collected for recycling or reuse
Materials collected for recycling or reuse
Brownfield redevelopment:
Rehabilitating damaged or
formerly contaminated sites
Rehabilitating damaged or
formerly contaminated sites
Density and connectivity: Location of motor
pools, amenities, facilities and living spaces
near unit headquarters encourages walking
pools, amenities, facilities and living spaces
near unit headquarters encourages walking
Cinderblock includes recycled concrete
Scoring Sustainability
LEED requirements fall under six focus areas:
After fulfilling prerequisites, such as construction site pollution prevention, a building earns points based on its features in those areas. To achieve the standard today, an Army building must earn at least 33 points on a 69-point scale. USGBC adopted a new, 100-point scale with LEED version 3.0 in 2009. The Army is currently considering the adoption of LEED 3.0. Most Army buildings constructed under the old system could still achieve Silver on the new scale.
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental DesignLEED requirements fall under six focus areas:
■ Sustainable Sites
■ Materials and Resources
■ Energy and Atmosphere
■ Materials and Resources
■ Energy and Atmosphere
■ Water efficiency
■ Indoor Environmental Quality
■ Innovation in Design
■ Indoor Environmental Quality
■ Innovation in Design
After fulfilling prerequisites, such as construction site pollution prevention, a building earns points based on its features in those areas. To achieve the standard today, an Army building must earn at least 33 points on a 69-point scale. USGBC adopted a new, 100-point scale with LEED version 3.0 in 2009. The Army is currently considering the adoption of LEED 3.0. Most Army buildings constructed under the old system could still achieve Silver on the new scale.
Set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gives points for sustainable features in the design, construction and management of structures, and awards a rating — Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Beginning in fiscal 2008, the Army required new military construction projects to be able to meet LEED Silver.
Adding Up
Sustainable buildings cost slightly more to construct but demonstrate savings throughout their life cycles. The improvements pay for themselves quickly. Putting in features in pursuit of LEED certification can add two to five percent to the cost of an individual project.
Compared to national averages, federal green buildings report:
26 percent less energy use
13 percent lower aggregate maintenance costs
27 percent higher occupant satisfaction
33 percent fewer CO2 emissions
The best performing buildings take an integrated approach to all aspects of sustainable design. Operation and maintenance costs stay low when sustainable practices complement green design.
Sources: General Services Administration, Davis Langdon LLP, USGBC
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