AIA Looks at Three Green Building Systems

Washington, DC, May 9, 2008--The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released a study of three green building rating systems that assesses how well they support the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement.

The goal is to offer analysis to both industry and the public as an opportunity to learn how three unique, creative and evolving green building rating systems mesh with the goals of the AIA and its goal to reach carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030.

“This study is not a report card or ranking of the various standards,” said AIA CEO Christine McEntee. “The intent is to offer design and construction professionals an in depth review of the three systems with particular emphasis on areas for improvement in relation to more rigorous energy conservations requirements.”

According to the study, the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes system offers a broad based evaluation of projects in both the design process and based on environmental criteria. When used to certify a project, more stringent and specific requirements in energy reduction and operational performance are needed.

U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED NC 2.2 system is a rating system that measures environmental achievement. The study said that continued developments in life cycle assessment, requirements for renewable energy or carbon reduction targets for certified projects will continue to make this system an effective resource for architects.

International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment’s SBTool 07 is a toolkit for designing a rating system. The study said that it it is used as a rating system providing certification, SBTool 07 would be stronger if there was an increase in the number of required items vs. those that are simply encouraged and required project documentation.

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