| Author |
Message |
garnerm (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 05:52 pm: |    |
Does anyone know what the benefits are for the design team (architect/engineers) for getting a building LEED certified? Is there some kind of tax break/cuts they get or some sort of check from the government they can apply for?
I'm a new LEED AP and electrical engineer at a MEP consulting firm and wanted to know this information. We haven't worked on any LEED projects but have worked on some very green projects before and want to know these answers so maybe I can market it to some of my clients (architects/owners/contractors) to pursue getting buildings LEED certified.
A couple of more questions. How can I get a project LEED certified if I need experience to do so? Do I just need to be on a LEED design team for two projects? How can I do this if I am the only person LEED certified that I work with? I don't think I will be able to get any experience before hand because I am the only person who is accredit to do so and will be the first to do so? I became LEED AP so that I could market this and hopefully make more money getting buildings LEED certified.
Last question: Can I certified an apartment since its housing development and not NEW Construction? I passed the LEED AP New Construction exam.
Thanks to all who reply and just read!!!!!!!! |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 872
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 01:22 pm: | |
oh, so many questions.
first of all, there is no benefit for the design team, except the experience. there are no tax breaks, tax cut or check that will come to the architect. in some jurisdictions the owner gets tax benefits or zoning benefits, but that will not accrue to the architect at all.
it will take you more time to do a LEED project than a non-LEED project and you need to make sure your fee accounts for that.
the USGBC site can walk you through the process, but you should be working with someone who can hand-hold you through some of the issues -- or at least give you good advice.
as for what projects you can certify or not, the USGBC will tell you that. |
Christopher E. Grimm, CSI, CCS, LEEDŽ-AP, MAI, RLA
Senior Member
Username: tsugaguy
Post Number: 200
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 01:36 pm: | |
Like Anne says, it is just the benefit of having this experience under one's belt. You may be wondering, Why does that matter? Many firms consider it a worthwhile investment of staff hours to take on the learning curve associated with LEED, somewhat as a marketing effort so to speak. As more and more facility owners (i.e. clients) become aware of the benefits of being more sustainable (a.k.a. "green"), especially as it helps their own pocketbook, there will be and already is, an increasing demand for firms who have this experience. So this experience can eventually translate into the other kind of green for us - but one must also be dedicated to the cause of helping bring about real sustainability, for it to feel worthwhile in the meantime. |
Jonathan Miller, FCSI, SCIP
Member
Username: jmma_specs
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 09:39 am: | |
Benefits to a successful design team is the pride and experience of working on a 'green' project they used their knowledge on.... a marketable fact.
First start by enumerating the 'green' aspects of the projects you've worked on.
As a certified LEED AP the fact that you alone work on the design team fulfills the requirement for one credit.
Getting a project certified is simply a matter of paying your fee to USGBC, registering the project with them, and meeting the requirements for the rating type that works for the project type.
Well... not so simple but the more you do the process the quicker it goes. |
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