Building Design Strategies for a Low-Impact, Eco-Friendly Approach Certified by the USGBC LEED Green Associate
In the pursuit of designing an environmentally responsible building, the most appropriate strategy is to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This comprehensive evaluation and minimization of a building material's life-cycle environmental impacts aligns perfectly with the owner's goal.
An LCA evaluates the environmental impacts of a product's life stages, encompassing raw material extraction, materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. By doing so, it helps identify materials and design strategies that minimize negative environmental impacts such as resource depletion, energy use, emissions, and waste.
The owner of newly acquired land, planning to design a building, would benefit greatly from this approach. While strategies like Life-cycle costing and Simple payback offer insights into the total cost of ownership and time to recoup initial investment, they do not directly assess environmental impact.
For those preparing for the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam, understanding LCA can be beneficial. A free resource available online provides detailed explanations and references to help individuals prepare for the exam and potentially earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.
It is crucial to note that an environmental assessment, in the context of LEED, typically refers to site assessments related to sustainable site selection and development. In contrast, an LCA, in the context of building design and construction, can be used to assess the environmental impacts of different building materials and systems over their entire life cycle.
In summary, conducting a Life Cycle Assessment is the best strategy to help an owner of newly acquired land plan a building with minimal environmental impact. By evaluating the environmental impacts of materials and systems across their entire life span, it helps identify options that minimize resource use, energy consumption, emissions, and waste, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable built environment.
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