In Volume 205, Issue 6 of TechNews, it was stated in Senate Update: March 4th that there was talk in trying to achieve more Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification around campus. As someone who is currently studying for the LEED credentials exam (LEED Green Associate), I will attempt to explain further what aiming for more certification means. I want to preface that I am not currently certified and am still learning, so not everything I say may be completely accurate, it’s all based on how I’ve interpreted what I’ve learned so far.
Firstly, there are a LOT of different types of LEED certifications that a building can achieve. The majority of these certifications are based around new construction, however. For existing buildings, there are only really two different certifications that can be achieved: Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) and Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M). ID+C relates to renovating the interior of the building (by either the owner or individual tenants), which requires major changes in order to qualify. O+M focuses more on whether or not the existing building continues to meet LEED requirements post-construction after a year of occupancy. This is the only one that can be renewed after a couple of years. Other certifications last a lifetime.
This means that, for Illinois Tech’s campus buildings, unless we’re able to shell out a LOT of money for major renovations or are already meeting standards, we won’t be able to achieve LEED certification for anything.
Based on my research, both Wishnick Hall and the Kaplan Institute were both certified LEED Gold for their new constructions back when they were built, so these two are the most likely to be able to get recertified for O+M. However, based on my personal experience at each of these buildings, I’m not fully convinced that either building has been maintained well enough to still be efficient. Perhaps I’m too sensitive, but the facades are no longer well-sealed enough to keep occupants comfortable at all times. This may be a hint that the HVAC systems may be working harder than they used to. Again, I’m not an expert in any way, but I know how it feels to sit near a window and feel extremely uncomfortable to the point that it’s hard to focus on my classes.
Of course, let’s not forget the money that goes into just submitting a project for certification. There are many requirements to even qualify, including needing LEED accredited leaders (not just GA, but also Accredited Professional, AP) to oversee the project and submit for certification. I’m not 100% sure about this part, but multiple tests and measurements will need to be done, meaning more professionals will need to be hired to accomplish this. Based on what I’ve heard about Illinois Tech’s economic status, I’m not convinced that the higher ups would be willing to spend money on this.
Don’t let this discourage you, though. From what I’ve heard from various sources within the architecture field (in recent interviews), LEED isn’t exactly something that clients want to spend money on to earn the accreditation anymore. This doesn’t mean that sustainability is just going away. Sustainability isn’t just about saving money (though some clients may disagree), it’s about the overall benefits towards the environment and wellbeing for occupants, both physically and mentally. Codes and standards around the world continue to strive for sustainability. The benefits may outweigh the costs of the building, but maybe not enough to outweigh the cost of certification.