Habitat LEED Home Project

What is LEED?                         
 
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized green building certification system. This system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in March 2000. For the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity project, LEED provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions in a residential building.

LEED promotes sustainable building and development practices through a suite of rating systems.  For the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity project we are implementing the LEED for Homes rating system.  This rating system takes into account a variety of green building categories and as a project team our goal is to achieve points in each  of these key areas:
 
  • Innovation in Design
  • Locations & Linkages
  • Sustainable Sites 
  • Water Efficiency
  • Energy & Atmosphere  
  • Materials & Resources
  • Indoor Environmental Quality
  • Awareness & Education
 
What is the difference between LEED and Earth Advantage, which Habitat is already doing?
 
 
Earth Advantage Institute is the third party verifier for the BAHfH LEED for homes project. They have been instrumental in making the project happen by performing energy analysis, reviewing plans and offering technical guidance.
There are three certification options that Earth Advantage supports:
 
Northwest ENERGY STAR® certification is the basic building block in all the programs. In order to achieve LEED for homes certification we must go above this ENERGY STAR certification which ensures that a new home performs at least 15% above code.
 
Earth Advantage® New Homes is a green certification that builds upon the ENERGY STAR new home performance standard and adds sustainability features and building processes that make the home healthier and more resource-efficient. Earth Advantage offers support for builders who are starting to build green by supporting them through three possible levels of certification – silver, gold and platinum, depending on points earned.
 
LEED® for Homes involved taking things to the next level. There is often a team of professionals working together with Earth Advantage to incorporate the key elements that meet the specifications defined in the rating system. Many of the features incorporated in a "LEED Home” are similar to those incorporated in an Earth Advantage Home.  Since BAHfH has been working with Earth Advantage to build homes to their specs for three years, it was an obvious transition to build this home using the LEED rating system.
 
"It is wonderful to have such a great group of individuals to work with. We hope to develop a template for how to build small homes on very tight budgets while still addressing health, efficiency, beauty and the environment. It is a fabulous collaboration opportunity” - Audrey Allen (Allen Design Studio) along with Jason Offutt (The Shelter Studio, Inc.) are the LEED accredited professionals (APs) heading up a generous team of local volunteers.

Why is Habitat Doing LEED?
 
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is one of the leading green builders in Central Oregon. Our innovative approach to building affordable, durable and sustainable homes.
 
In January 2011 an eco-charrette was conducted with all the stakeholders involved in planning and formulating goals of the project. One LEED requirement is an integrated team including the architect/designer, builder, owner, landscape designer, interior designer, electrician, engineer, HVAC contractor, and more, working together on the project.
 
The High Desert Branch of Cascadia has also been very involved with supporting these efforts.
 
 
Where are the funds coming from for certification?
 
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is building LEED certified homes without adding to our cost.  Deschutes Brewery donated a meeting room, and lunch for our eco- charrette in January 2011.  A grant from USGBC provides the funds for LEED certification.  Many members of the local High Desert Branch of Cascadia USGBC and other green building professionals are contributing their services to the project.  Grants from Home Depot Foundation, along with many other donations, incentives and transferrable state tax credits allow us to make great homes affordable.
 
In collaboration with other leaders in this sector, USGBC is working to develop appropriate tools, educational offerings and technical assistance for the affordable housing market. USGBC is also partnering with Enterprise Community Partners to promote green affordable housing.
 
To find out more:
If you are a contractor, donor, sustainable building expert, or other interested person, please contact Robin Cooper, 541-385-5387 x229 for more information.  To contact Cascadia Green Building Council, High Desert Branch, email highdesert@cascadiagbc.org.

Visit our BLOG!