LEED v4 Core Concepts & Themes

Question 1

What is the difference between an open system and a closed system?

Answer 1

An open system is a system in which materials and resources are continually brought in from outside, consumed, and then removed from the system as waste. Open systems are not considered sustainable. A closed system is a cyclical system in which materials and resources are consumed and then reused or recycled. Closed systems are considered sustainable because no waste is produced.

Question 2

What does cradle to cradle mean in relation to the life cycle of materials?

Answer 2

Cradle to cradle is the reuse of materials at the end of their useful life, forming a continuous loop (a closed system) that eliminates waste. Cradle-to-cradle materials are sustainable. For example, a carpet tile is a cradle-to-cradle material if it is made from recycled carpet tile and can be recycled again rather than sent to the landfill at the end of its useful life.

Question 3

What does cradle to grave mean in relation to the life cycle of materials?

Answer 3

Cradle to grave is the practice of investigation materials from the point of extraction to the disposal. Cradle-to-grave materials are created in a linear consumption-to-waste process (an open system) that is not sustainable. They are extracted, manufactured, purchased, consumed, and disposed of, with a clear beginning und finite end.

Question 4

What is the difference between upstream and downstream activities?

Answer 4

Upstream activities are related to the extraction of the raw materials used in a product. Downstream activities are related to the processing of materials all the way through to the delivery of the final product to the end user.

Question 5

What is embodied energy?

Answer 5

Embodied energy is the total amount of energy used to extract materials and manufacture, transport, install, and use a product across its life cycle.

Question 6

What is a feedback loop?

Answer 6

A feedback loop is a structure in which data is gathered and reported in order to meet a desired output response. At the end of one cycle around the loop, a decision is made depending on the results of the data collected. The feedback can encourage a system to continue with the cycle, change some part of the cycle, or stop an action. For example, a mechanical system can collect system performance data and direct that information to the facility operators who can then make informed decisions on changes to the system.

Question 7

Explain how a negative feedback loop works.

Answer 7

In a negative feedback loop, systems self-correct and stay within a particular set of parameters. An output sends a signal to the system to stop changing. For example, when a room gets too warm, a signal from a thermostat is sent to a controller to turn on the air conditioner. Systems with negative feedback loops are sustainable.

Question 8

Explain how a positive feedback loop works.

Answer 8

In a positive feedback loop, the output of a system is applied to the input, resulting in constant increases. Climate change, dark surfaces, and cooling systems create positive feedback loops within a built environment. the temperature increase causes air conditioners to run more, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases trap heat, causing the planet to continuously get warmer. Systems with positive feedback loops are not sustainable.

Question 9

Describe the integrative design process.

Answer 9

The integrative design process requires the active and continual participation of all team members during all phases of a project. By deconstructing the linear nature of the conventional design process, the integrative design process achieves greater efficiencies, increased building performance, and cost savings. Working together during the early stages of the design process allows team members to discover synergies between building systems and components and eliminate duplication across disciplines.

Question 10

What are the three phases of the integrative design process?

Answer 10

The three phases of the integrative design process include
1. discovery,
2. implementation
(design and construction), and
3. occupancy

Question 11

Describe the iterative process.

Answer 11

The iterative process is used in integrative design and involves conducting research, sharing data, receiving feedback, and refining the design repeatedly until all of a project’s sustainable goals are met.

Question 12

What is a leverage point?

Answer 12

A leverage point is a point in a system where a small change can yield large results.

Question 13

What is a life-cycle assessment (LCA)?

Answer 13

A life-cycle assessment (LCA) is an assessment of the environmental impacts associated with a material or product throughout its life cycle.

Question 14

What is life-cycle costing (LCC)?

Answer 14

Life-cycle costing (LCC) is an analytical tool used to determine the most cost-effective option among competing alternatives based on the costs of the options throughout their life cycles.

Question 15

Describe the “Prius Effect.”

Answer 15

The “Prius effect” is the changing of human behavior as a result of making information about a subject more visible and available. The “Prius effect” is based on how the Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle provides drivers with real-time mileage and fuel consumption feedback from the dashboard, causing many drivers to adjust their speed to maximize fuel efficiency.

Question 16

What are regenerative buildings?

Answer 16

Regenerative buildings, described as net-zero energy, water, and waste buildings, are closed building systems that use only as much of a resource as they can produce. Net-zero energy buildings produce all their own energy on-site. Net-zero water buildings use only as much water as falls onto the site and reuse graywater. Net-zero waste buildings divert 100% of their waste from the landfill.

Question 17

Explain the triple bottom line.

Answer 17

The triple bottomline is an accounting framework that incorporates the social (people), environmental (planet), and economic (profit) dimensions of an organization in decision making. The premise of the triple bottom line approach to business is to take a stakeholder approach instead of a shareholder approach so that the bottom line for all parties can be increased.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the LEED impact categories, and what is the question that the LEED impact categories answer?

Answer 18

The LEED impact categories, aka LEED system goals, were developed to guide point allocation for each credit in the LEED rating systems. The question the categories answer is “what should a LEED project accomplish?”

Question 19

List the SEVEN LEED impact categories.

Answer 19

• Reverse contribution to global climate change.
• Enhance individual human health and well-being.
• Protect and restore water resources.
• Protect, enhance, and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Promote sustainable and regenerative material resources cycles.
• Build a greener economy.
• Enhance social equity, environmental justice, community health, and quality of life.

Question 20

How does USGBC view climate change?

Answer 20

The USGBC views climate change as the most significant environmental impact in society today, with the built environment as its largest contributor.

Question 21

As a percentage, approximately how much total energy used today do buildings account for?

Answer 21

40%

Question 22

What is the Montreal Protocol?

Answer 22

The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone Layer is an international treaty that was adopted in 1987 and ratified by 197 countries to eliminate the production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals by banning the use of CC refrigerants and phasing out HCFC refrigerants by 2030.

Question 23

Describe the life-cycle approach to green building.

Answer 23

The life-cycle approach to green building considers the environmental and financial impacts of a project over its lifetime.

Question 24

List the stakeholders in the triple bottom line approach to green building.

Answer 24

• employees
• building occupants
• community members
• the environment
• shareholders

Question 25

In direct comparisons between building types, green buildings cost approximately how much more than non-green buildings?

Answer 25

Only about 2% more.

Question 26

Lix six possible members of an integrated project team in addition to the project owner or owner’s representative.

Answer 26

• project user
• architect
• contractor
• designer
• building operator
• property manager

Question 27

Describe the discovery phase of the integrative process.

Answer 27

The discovery phase of the integrative process, also known as the predesign phase, occurs before schematic design begins. It is the most critical phase of the building design process. Team members from each discipline gather information and data relevant to the project and bring the data to project meetings to inform the design process.

Question 28

Describe the implementation phase of the integrative process.

Answer 28

During the implementation phase of the integrative process, team members compile and analyze the results of research performed during the discovery phase relating to system interactions between disciplines. Then, the design phase of the building begins to develop through the sharing of collected data.

Question 29

Describe the occupancy phase of the integrative process.

Answer 29

The final stage of the integrative process is the occupancy phase. Performance assessment mechanisms are used to measure actual building performance against expectations. These assessments are made after the building is occupied.

Question 30

Explain systems thinking.

Answer 30

Systems thinking is commonly used in problem solving and is an important component of the integrative process. By looking at a problem as a smaller part of a larger system, one can see all of the interrelated parts that may contribute to or be affected by the problem, thereby making it easier to solve. A key concept of systems thinking is communication across all levels of an organization so that an improvement in one part of a system does not have a negative impact on another part of the system.

Question 31

What is a charette and what role does it play in the LEED process?

Answer 31

Charrettes are highly structured and intense workshops designed to produce specific deliverables. They are named after the carts that carried French architecture students’ models to the final review. A charrette brings together the project team with stakeholders and outside experts as needed for creative thinking and collaboration. Generally held at the beginning of the project, charrettes assist in establishing the project goals. They are a collaborative effort of people from different disciplines and perspectives.