Building Certification Research Articles

Within‐ and across‐province agglomeration of LEED certifications in China

AbstractThis paper investigates the adoption patterns of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in China, analyzing data from 2010 to 2021. We find that builders' choices of certification levels are positively correlated within each province. However, for commercial buildings, builders differentiate from each other in the choice of certification levels. The study also identifies spatial spillovers of LEED certification across nearby provinces. We propose potential explanations for these findings and discuss their policy implications. The results suggest that the design of certification schemes should account for the strategic behavior of firms. Additionally, regional policies promoting green building certifications may have spillover effects, encouraging adoption in neighboring regions.

Green Certification of Residential Buildings in the Context of Sustainable Development

Green Certification of Residential Buildings in the Context of Sustainable Development

Zero- Ready-Carbon Building Certification Scheme for Driving Hong Kong towards Carbon Neutrality

Zero- Ready-Carbon Building Certification Scheme for Driving Hong Kong towards Carbon Neutrality

Contribution of i-Tree to the Global Green Building Certification Systems LEED and SITES

Contribution of i-Tree to the Global Green Building Certification Systems LEED and SITES

Assesment of Environment Impact of Contribution Project: Toward Green Building Certification and Compliance

Assesment of Environment Impact of Contribution Project: Toward Green Building Certification and Compliance

Theorizing security-pandemic aspects and variables for post-pandemic architecture

“Theorizing security-pandemic aspects and variables for post-pandemic architecture" refers to creating propositions and theory systems for the security-pandemic aspects and variables in the presence of pandemic and health issues and the consequences of changing hybrid activities within living-working space. COVID-19 has caused changes in architecture, especially in the context of the security pandemic. Architecture needs different strategies to help prevent disease in the future. A theorizing theory involves classification and interpreted terms, network analysis, and creating propositions and theories based on aspects and variables. The findings are 3 new interpretations of aspects, 14 sub-aspects of security-pandemic theory, and 23 security-pandemic variables that can be used as strategies in architecture design. The interconnection between aspects (dynamics, distancing, and living-working pattern), sub-aspects, and variables are connected regarding control, prevention, and deterring patterns for disease spread through person-to-person and media/surface-to-person. These findings will support future research in preventive measures in post-pandemic architecture, creating innovative building and green code certifications for security-pandemic theory or modifying the existing codes and green certifications.

Land management criteria for green building certification systems in Turkey.

The issue of energy holds significant implications for nations heavily reliant on it, such as Turkey. In recent times, legislative measures, including the Energy Efficiency Law and the Energy Performance Regulation of Buildings, have been enacted in Turkey. Despite the implementation of the Energy Performance Certificate for buildings, the absence of a national green building certification system remains conspicuous. To address this gap, an examination of globally recognized certification systems and relevant components concerning land management, pertinent to Turkey's context, was undertaken. This involved a comprehensive literature review to establish the foundation for survey inquiries. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with subject matter experts in Turkey to glean valuable insights and perspectives. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, the responses from these experts were collated and analyzed to delineate the criteria and sub-criteria germane to land management. This study delves into the discourse surrounding the establishment of a green building certification system within Turkey, specifically within the domain of land management, a sector of paramount importance, particularly within the purview of survey engineering. Through a structured survey, the criteria pertinent to land management were identified and subjected to rigorous analysis. Furthermore, the sub-criteria within the land management category were delineated, and their respective weights were computed, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for the envisioned green building certification system in Turkey.

Green building in the ESG agenda for sustainable development of Russia: conditions and trends

To achieve the sustainable development goals proclaimed by the UN, we need to use more green building technologies that meet the principles of sustainable development, increase energy efficiency and achieve the environmental direction of the country’s ESG transformation. The authors consider the main problems and directions of green building in the Russian Federation. The study highlights the main limiting factors to develop green building in the domestic building industry. It was revealed that the main ones are related to the inconsistency of legal regulation, lack of demand from consumers, lack of specialists in the field of green building, assessment and certification of green objects. The study found that no more than a third of the country’s population knows about green building, only 20% are aware of the need for environmental certification of buildings, and only 6% of the population require this certification when purchasing housing. At the same time, the development of green building is hampered by difficulties with import substitution of green technologies and green building materials. The purpose of the study is to analyze the conditions and trends for green building development in the Russian Federation. The scientific research hypothesis is to introduce the ESG principles into building as an effective approach for sustainable development in Russia. The main conclusion of the study is to develop incentive tools for transition to green building technologies and green certification of building projects. The results of the study will contribute to the expansion of green building projects in the domestic building industry.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF “LEED” CERTIFIED SCHOOLS WITH “YES-TR” IN THE CONTEXT OF “GREEN CERTIFICATION”

With the emergence of green building concept in the construction sector, the increase in green building production has resulted in green building certification systems. It is important to establish these certification systems on a national scale for reasons such as the compatibility of sustainable architecture with local conditions and differences in the legislation of countries. It is inevitable to change the criteria of the certification system in accordance with the function of the building. As the schools are directly related to learning as well as providing the health and comfort to the users, there are internationally specialized certification systems for green schools. In this study, some of the LEED-certified schools in Turkiye were compared; these buildings were evaluated within the framework of the “Green Certificate (YeS-TR)” introduced by the Turkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in 2022. The main categories of “LEED v2009 for Schools” and “Green Certificate” were compared; while “sustainable sites” and “regional priority” categories in “LEED v2009 for Schools” are not included in the “Green Certificate”, the main category of “integrated design, construction and management” and “life cycle assessment” were not met in “LEED v2009 for Schools”. As a result of the study, various suggestions were made for the development of certificates in this context.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF “LEED” CERTIFIED SCHOOLS WITH “YES-TR” IN THE CONTEXT OF “GREEN CERTIFICATION”

With the emergence of green building concept in the construction sector, the increase in green building production has resulted in green building certification systems. It is important to establish these certification systems on a national scale for reasons such as the compatibility of sustainable architecture with local conditions and differences in the legislation of countries. It is inevitable to change the criteria of the certification system in accordance with the function of the building. As the schools are directly related to learning as well as providing the health and comfort to the users, there are internationally specialized certification systems for green schools. In this study, some of the LEED-certified schools in Turkiye were compared; these buildings were evaluated within the framework of the “Green Certificate (YeS-TR)” introduced by the Turkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in 2022. The main categories of “LEED v2009 for Schools” and “Green Certificate” were compared; while “sustainable sites” and “regional priority” categories in “LEED v2009 for Schools” are not included in the “Green Certificate”, the main category of “integrated design, construction and management” and “life cycle assessment” were not met in “LEED v2009 for Schools”. As a result of the study, various suggestions were made for the development of certificates in this context.

Building a Greener Future: Exploring Sustainable Construction Practices

Abstract: The paper aims to assess the levels of awareness among India practitioners regarding sustainable construction and identify the barriers that hinder its implementation. It adopts a mixed-method approach with questionnaire surveys and interviews to gather data from industry stakeholders. The findings reveal that industry practitioners have average levels of awareness, with a focus on practices such as reduce, reuse, and recycle and green building certification.

The role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings

Green buildings play a crucial role in sustainable development by reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and enhancing occupant health and well-being. This review explores the role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings, highlighting the importance of government intervention in driving sustainable building practices. Government policies and regulations play a pivotal role in shaping the adoption of green building practices. Through a combination of mandates, incentives, and standards, governments can encourage the construction and renovation of buildings that prioritize energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmental sustainability. Mandatory building codes and standards are among the most effective tools governments use to promote green buildings. These codes set minimum requirements for energy performance, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, ensuring that new constructions and major renovations meet established sustainability criteria. In addition to mandatory standards, governments also use financial incentives to encourage green building practices. These incentives may include tax credits, grants, or subsidies for building owners and developers who incorporate sustainable design features or achieve green building certifications. Furthermore, governments can influence the market through procurement policies that prioritize green buildings for public projects. By leading by example, governments can create a ripple effect in the private sector, encouraging more developers and building owners to embrace sustainable building practices. Overall, the role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings is essential for advancing sustainable development goals. By setting clear standards, providing incentives, and leading by example, governments can create an environment where green buildings are the norm rather than the exception, leading to a more sustainable built environment for future generations.

INVESTMENT FEASIBILITY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GREEN BUILDING AND CONVENTIONAL IN DKI JAKARTA

Sustainable buildings generally demonstrate a friendly environment, save energy and reduce operational costs, thus opening up significant investment opportunities in green buildings of the office property type. It is a shame that currently there are still very few office building developers who apply the green building concept, meanwhile the green building concept provides 31% greater profits than conventional buildings. This study aims to analyze the financial feasibility of four office buildings which are divided into two categories, namely category one (building 1 and Building 3) with a grade A building type and category two (building 2 and building 4) with a grade B building type. Building 1 and building 2 has received green building certification issued by GBCI. Building 2 and building 4 are buildings with a conventional concept. Calculation analysis is carried out using the Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback Period (PP) methods. Based on the results of the analysis, from the two categories of building types, the results showed that the NPV of each building was said to be financially feasible with an NPV ratio of 294% (category 1) and 162% (category 2). The IRR obtained exceeds the MARR value, with a comparison of 54% (category 1) and 21% (category 2). The payback period is less than the project investment period, namely 20 years, with a difference of 5 years (category 1) and 3 years (category 2). The office buildings with the highest and best NPV are Building 1 and Building 3 (category 1), so that even though the construction costs and green building design planning costs incurred are higher, in the research object of each building there are quite significant differences in NPV and IRR and It is hoped that all new construction and renovation work carried out by developers can apply the green building concept.

Analysis of critical factors affecting green office retrofits based on the latest green building regulations in Indonesia

The construction industry is responsible for over 40% of global energy consumption and one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Generally, 10%–20% of energy is consumed in the manufacturing and transportation stages of materials, construction, maintenance, and demolition. The way the construction industry to deal with these impacts is to intensify sustainable development through green building. The author uses the latest Green Building Certification Standard in Indonesia as the Green Building Guidelines under the Ministry of Public Works and People’s Housing (PUPR) Regulation No. 01/SE/M/2022, as a basis for evaluating existing office buildings or what is often referred to as green retrofit. Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) is used by the authors to detail the factors influencing the application of green building by analyzing several variables related to the problem studied, which are used to build and test statistical models of causal models. From this study, it is concluded that the most influential factors in the implementation of green retrofitting on office buildings are energy savings, water efficiency, renewable energy use, the presence of green building socialization programs, cost planning, design planning, project feasibility studies, material cost, use of the latest technology applications, and price fluctuations. With the results of this research, there is expected to be shared awareness and concern about implementing green buildings and green offices as an initiative to present a more energy-efficient office environment, save operating costs, and provide comfort to customers.

BIM to BREEAM: A workflow for automated daylighting assessment of existing buildings

By conducting an assessment of the existing building stock from the perspective of the Green Building Certification System (GBCS), it is possible to contribute to the improvement of energy utilization and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as promoted through the Renovation Wave strategy by the European Union. These aspirations will simultaneously contribute to enhancing human well-being, indoor environmental quality, and comfort. This paper describes a novel methodology for enhancing the renovation of existing buildings at the design stage using automation within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. By parameterizing the requirements of GBCS using a visual programming tool, real-time insight into the number of achieved certain issue credits in the certification process is enabled. It was also created to enable designers in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector to continuously monitor the development of design and make modifications as early as possible in the design process. Thus, cost overruns in design projects, as well as later renovations and building maintenance, are prevented. This research has utilized the capability of BIM to perform rapid compliance simulations with Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) requirements without the need for manual calculations and/or computer simulations in other software, which would increase the time required for analysis due to additional modeling requirements. The methodology is demonstrated using the automation of the Daylighting section of the issue Hea01 Visual Comfort from the Technical Manual SD225 1.4 − BREEAM International Non-Domestic Refurbishment 2015, and the validation was performed on a BIM model of an existing building belonging to the educational sector. The application of the described methodology in the case study reduced the time required for assessing the number of achieved daylighting credits by 40%, with potential savings extending up to 80% depending on the chosen criteria for analysis. The tool is designed to be applicable to other GBCS, building types, and newly designed buildings as well.

Sustainable Energy Use in Buildings: A Leadership Opportunity for Gardens and Zoos

Cultural institutions hold a unique position of influence, serving as hubs of education and knowledge dissemination for the people they serve. Embracing sustainable energy use in buildings in zoos and botanical gardens is a commitment to environmental responsibility that reinforces these institutions as trusted sources of information and community leaders on climate change, one of the most vital issues of our time. Sustainable energy solutions can synergize operations with educational missions, allowing zoos and botanical gardens to lead by example and inspire visitors to adopt eco-friendly practices in their own lives. In this opinion paper, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens President and CEO Richard Piacentini discusses key elements in developing a sustainable building energy plan, reviews potential barriers to implementation, and makes a case for adopting regenerative thinking and new metrics for measuring success—citing example cases from Phipps’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) project. Additionally, the paper demonstrates how green building certification systems and peer-based resource networks like The Climate Toolkit can help guide institutions in the process.

The BREEAM, the LEED and the DGNB certifications as an aspect of sustainable development

Some of the most significant problems of industrialised countries are increasing consumerism, the growing demand for more and more energy and other natural resources, and the depletion of non-renewable sources. The visible consequences are environmental pollution and global warming. To address these issues, there is growing pressure on the use of alternative energy sources, the use of natural resources and the introduction of new technologies. The use of multi-criteria building certification systems, which evaluate their performance, is becoming increasingly common in the building industry. The BREEAM, the LEED, and the DGNB are among the most popular methods for assessing sustainable architecture, and they project management tools. The main task of the article was to define and describe the impact of documents related to sustainable development certificates on contemporary design and living and working conditions, as well as to demonstrate the relationship between the quality of architecture and environmental protection. Another goal is to indicate how dynamically the number of certificates issued in Poland is increasing. The study used the necessary research methods: analysis and criticism of applicable documents and literature, as well as an intuitive method based on personal experience. The scope of the work includes a discussion of the most frequently obtained certificates: the BREEAM, the LEED, and the DGNB, the achievements of which prove the use of solutions conducive to sustainable development.

INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO HVAC PROJECT MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

As environmental concerns continue to escalate, the integration of sustainability principles into project management practices has emerged as a crucial endeavor across various industries. In the realm of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, where energy consumption and environmental impact are significant, the incorporation of sustainable practices presents both challenges and opportunities. This review provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating sustainability into HVAC project management. Challenges in integrating sustainability into HVAC project management stem from various factors, including technological limitations, cost considerations, and organizational barriers. Technologically, the adoption of sustainable HVAC solutions often requires investments in advanced equipment and systems, which may not always be readily available or affordable for all projects. Additionally, the upfront costs of implementing sustainable practices can be perceived as prohibitive, especially in industries where budget constraints are prevalent. Moreover, organizational inertia and resistance to change pose significant challenges, as stakeholders may be hesitant to deviate from traditional HVAC methodologies. Despite these challenges, there exist ample opportunities for integrating sustainability into HVAC project management. Advancements in technology, such as the development of energy-efficient HVAC systems and renewable energy integration, provide opportunities to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), incentivizes the adoption of sustainable HVAC practices by offering recognition and financial benefits to projects that meet stringent sustainability criteria. Moreover, the increasing awareness of environmental issues and regulatory requirements underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into HVAC project management. By aligning with regulatory standards and industry best practices, organizations can mitigate risks associated with non-compliance while enhancing their reputation as environmentally responsible entities. While challenges persist, the integration of sustainability into HVAC project management presents significant opportunities for organizations to mitigate environmental impact, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a culture of innovation. By addressing these challenges proactively and leveraging available opportunities, organizations can position themselves as leaders in sustainable HVAC project management.
 Keywords: HVAC, Project Management, Challenges, Sustainability, Review.

Salutogenic Design as Health Preservation Technology: Prospects for Implementation in Public Health

Introduction. The concept of salutogenic design, focused on creating a healthy environment, is based on the salutogenesis concept, developed back in the 1970s by Aaron Antonovsky. This approach is becoming increasingly popular in urban planning, development, and certification of buildings, offices, and medical fa-cilities. Due to ongoing national projects, there is an increasing demand for specialists in public health and salutogenic design in Russia, which has justified the creation of an interdisciplinary educational program. Objective. To present the implementation of the network master's program "Salutogenic Design" in the field of public health and the creation of a healthy urban environment.Materials and methods. We conducted literature review on existing practices for applying salutogenic de-sign in urban planning and described the implementation of the network master's program "Salutogenic De-sign" at the Institute of Leadership and Health Management of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University) and Moscow institute of architecture (MIARCH).Results. The concept of salutogenic design is a prominent scientific and practical issue for researchers, pro-fessional community, and executive authorities worldwide, with particular interest in implementation studies of salutogenic design for designing and constructing environments, transport, medical organizations, and the urban landscape, as well as developing tools for urban environment assessment. The master's program "Salutogenic Design" is a unique educational experience that includes the development of professional skills in an interdisciplinary area of health sciences and urban planning, distinguishing it from other educational projects.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Commercial Interior Version 4 (LEED-CI v4) Gold-Certified Office Space Projects: A Pairwise Comparative Analysis between Three Mediterranean Countries

Over the past five years, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Commercial Interior version 4 (LEED-CI v4)-certified office projects have been intensively studied in the USA and China, but they have not yet been studied in the Mediterranean region. The purpose of this study was to explore office building certification strategies for LEED-CI v4-certified projects in the Mediterranean region. The study design included pairwise comparative analyses between Spain (number of projects (n) n1 = 14), Türkiye (n2 = 13), and Israel (n3 = 11). Cliff’s δ and exact Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney tests were used to process ordinal and discrete data, while the natural logarithm of the odds ratio and 2 × 2 Fisher’s exact tests were used to handle dichotomous data. It was found that Spain and Türkiye outperformed Israel in the Location and Transportation (LT) category due to their desire to reduce the use of private transport. Spain and Türkiye were ahead of Israel in the LTc5 “reduced parking footprint” credit (p = 0.008 and 0.0005, respectively). Israel outperformed Spain and Türkiye in the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category due to the sum of all six EA credits (p = 0.086 and 0.010). Spain overtook Türkiye and Israel in the Materials and Resources (MRs) category due to Spain’s increased use of environmental product declarations. Spain and Türkiye were ahead of Israel in the following four MRs credits: MRc1 “long-term commitment” (p = 0.030), MRc2 “interiors life cycle impact reduction” (p = 0.037), MRc3 “building product disclosure and optimization—environmental product declarations” (p = 0.029), and MRc5 “building product disclosure and optimization—material ingredients” (p = 0.034). Spain, Türkiye, and Israel showed similarly low levels of achievement in the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) category (p ≥ 0.405). However, Spain and Türkiye outperformed Israel in the following two credits: EQc1 “enhanced indoor air quality strategies” and EQc2 “low-emitting materials” (p = 0.001 and 0.060, respectively). In parallel, Israel outperformed Türkiye in the EQc3 “construction indoor air quality management plan” (p = 0.026), and Israel outperformed Spain in the EQc8 “quality views” credit (p = 0.066). As a result, a pairwise comparison of the three Mediterranean countries showed that each country has a unique LEED certification strategy. Knowledge of the above green building strategies will be helpful for LEED professionals.