November 2008

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Adding LEED Certification After Project Planning Has Begun

By Jim Nicolow

While it is most effective to plan for LEED certification from project inception, it is still possible to pursue LEED certification fairly late in the process. For the 180,000-square-foot Life Sciences Building at Florida State University, the decision to pursue LEED certification came during construction when the building’s structure was nearly complete. Because many sustainable features had already been included in the design, it was still possible to gain enough points to meet the requirements for LEED certification by making a few strategic modifications, including the substitution of dual-flush toilet flush valves and low-flow shower heads, an increase in the commissioning agent’s scope, implementation of an IAQ management plan and building flush out, and documentation of material origin and recycled-content by the contractor. Despite the late start, the project is currently under review by the USGBC and on track to achieve LEED certification.