LEED Volume Program: Cost Effective Method for Certifying a Large Number of LEED Buildings

USGBC came up with a smart solution for large volume organizations and companies that are large users of LEED. The LEED Volume Program was developed to offer a cost effective method that leverages uniformity in design and maintains the integrity of LEED standards. In lieu of certifying per building, LEED Volume Program offers organizations the option to create a prototype design that is then pre-certified and can be applied to certify like buildings and spaces throughout their building portfolios. Since the program is based on design uniformity, buildings in any geographical area are eligible for certification.

The LEED Volume Program was conceptualized in 2006 and officially launched at the Greenbuild 2010 Conference & Expo in Chicago. The process begins with interested companies applying to USGBC to use the LEED Volume Program. Once in the program, companies have access to services and online tools that help facilitate prototype development. The next step is creation of a prototype which is basically the design and plan for future volume projects to adhere to, providing sustainable design features and protocol. Once the prototype is approved, work can begin on all volume projects. Needless to say, this drastically reduces per building certification costs as the quantity of projects increases. To ensure these projects maintain the LEED standards, Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) will conduct random audits of a percentage of projects. This phase is referred to as "ongoing certification".

The LEED Volume Program reinforces USGBC's commitment to provide smart and cost effective solutions to large users of LEED. The benefits of sustainable construction have a huge impact that includes better performing buildings that save energy and reduce operating costs as well as reduce harmful environmental impact. Using the LEED Volume Program's streamlined certification process companies can take advantage of lower cost for LEED while still reaping the advantages that come with building sustainable buildings.

Gabriele Medley-Harry

Director of Sustainable Construction

HICAPS, Inc.

USGBC Piedmont Traid Chapter Education Event June 10th

Please join us for the Piedmont Triad Chapter of USGBC June Event on June 10th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm: “Innovation in Green Building Materials & Energy Saving Building Applications" Come hear about the science of these ground-breaking materials and how they will transform perceptions of traditional building materials.
Speaker: Dixon Johnston, Quartek Corporation.
Quartek , a nanotechnology company, provides bio based phase change materials for energy saving building product applications.

Location: Volvo - Communications Building7900 National Service Road Greensboro, NC 27409

LEED AP Comes to HICAPS

We would like to congratulate our first five LEED AP status assoicates: Tom Smithey, Chris Roth, Daniel Hood, Gabriele Medley-Harry, and Keith Chriscoe. As well as being a diversified full-service Project Management firm, HICAPS has committed its resources to the training and accreditation of its associates in support of sustainable design and construction, which we feel is the future of our industry. We're proud to be a part of the sustainable future.

Daniel Hood is a LEED AP in our Wilmington, NC office

Congratulations!!

What Does That Mean?

LEED AP status exemplifies HICAPS commitment for its construction personnel to meet the LEED “Accredited Professional” (AP) standards that were established by the United States Green Building Council. LEED training and certification provide HICAPS employees an established set of practices with metrics that encourages and hastens the global adaptation of sustainable green building. To learn more about LEED AP credentials, log onto http://www.usgbc.org/.

Call us at HICAPS- 1.336.665.1234 to discuss your next project that will make your neighbors green with envy.