DASNY Goes Green

POLICY: Sustainability

May 6, 2008

DASNY promotes and supports sustainable design approaches and construction practices. Our internal processes shall facilitate integrated design and recognition of sustainable opportunities in every project, regardless of size or complexity, using all the tools available to us. Initial programming meetings for every project shall define specific sustainable goals which will be included in all discussions, including those determining budget and scheduling.

In addition, as of January 1, 2008, all projects that are new construction, addition, or significant renovation shall include a goal of LEED Silver and shall be fully submitted to the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for a rating review. Each project will, at a minimum, include these requirements:

1. Register for LEED at the start of the project.
   
   
2. Require Energy Modeling in the schematic phase as well as the construction document phase. Schematic phase modeling shall inform design through use of “design runs” in order to explore building performance and energy use.
   
   
3. Require that a Commissioning Authority be part of the design process at the schematic design phase.
   
   
4. Track, measure, and prepare all LEED documentation. This shall be included in the design and construction process, regardless of the nature of the project.

The intent of this policy is to ensure the design and construction teams establish clear sustainable goals for the project, work toward those goals, produce the documentation confirming the goals have been achieved, and that the project remains within the established budget and programmatic parameters that make up the project description.

Questions regarding this policy should be addressed to the DASNY Director of Sustainability Programs, Jodi Smits Anderson at jsmitsan@dasny.org, or (518) 257-3486.

Further information on the intent of the Sustainability policy:

• DASNY does not encourage “point chasing” or “buying points”. If the measures outlined in the LEED guideline are not suited to the established program or the defined end-use of the project, do not force them into to the design.
  
  
• DASNY does encourage creativity. All options to build a better building for the Owner and for the environment should be explored. Useable solutions should be included. Sometimes these solutions will require the Owner to make a decision about potential additional costs or about removing a less-important scope item. Sometimes the solutions will create an economy between systems and result in no added cost.
  
  
• DASNY does not support “contingency points” unless they truly serve the goals of the project. These are points, typically not an easy fit into the project, selected by the project team to act as a buffer in case some documentation for another point falls through. They are there to ensure a LEED Silver rating is achieved. DASNY does not encourage chasing or buying contingency points. If a measure is a good fit or offers several benefits to the project (for example, rainwater harvesting for flushing which might actually decrease costs for stormwater treatment) then it should be explored and considered.
  
  
• DASNY does not limit project goals. If there are opportunities in the project for the building to potentially reach the Gold or Platinum Levelto achieve points above the Silver level, then they should be explored and considered. If there is another guideline system that would further inform the process of design and construction (such as Collaborative for High Performance Schools, Labs 21 or Green Guide for Healthcare, etc.) we would encourage these also be used. LEED submission will still be a requirement, so the tools will need to be worked in tandem.
  
  
• DASNY does require submission to the USGBC for a rating review. We do not feel that a project will truly follow through on stated environmental goals unless proof is gathered in the course of design and construction. The building may be green, but to be certain of this, documentation and third party review is necessary. The maximum this review process can cost is $17,500 but the fee can be less depending on the building size.
  
  
• DASNY does not penalize if LEED Silver truly cannot be reached. If the team has done all it can and a Silver level is not possible, then the team should still submit to the USGBC for a rating review. The project is a success in that real solutions were explored in the design process. Some were implemented and have improved building performance, health and productivity of occupants, and the Owner’s bottom line. The project is a success because the team and Owner paid attention and worked to build the best building possible.