Building a Strong Team for Achieving LEED Certification

Partnering with LEED Accredited Professionals: Building a Strong Team for Achieving

LEED Certification

As the construction industry increasingly shifts toward sustainability, key stakeholders

are focusing on integrating more sustainable approaches in both design and

construction. A crucial step in reinforcing a project’s commitment to green building

practices and sustainability is obtaining LEED certification. This certification is a

significant indicator that a project not only meets essential green building principles but

often exceeds them, reaching the highest levels of sustainability.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized

green building standard that provides a comprehensive framework for building and

development. It is designed to help projects incorporate best practices in sustainability

and environmental responsibility. Developed by leading professionals in various

industries especially in design and construction LEED serves as a guide for project

teams in creating environmentally conscious spaces that contribute positively to the

environment while enhancing the user experience. Buildings that earn LEED certification

are recognized for their efforts in minimizing their environmental impact, reducing energy

consumption, and improving indoor environmental quality.

The Role of Stakeholders in Sustainable Design and Construction

In any design and construction project, a variety of key stakeholders including architects,

engineers, contractors, suppliers, and subcontractors collaborate throughout the

process. From project inception and schematic design to construction and final handover,

each stakeholder has a specific role in ensuring the successful completion of the project.

While it is possible for project teams to incorporate sustainable practices in design and

construction, doing so effectively requires a coordinated effort and additional expertise.

For example, an architect may integrate basic green building strategies into the design,

but more comprehensive or specialized sustainability measures could be overlooked if

the architect is not an expert in green building certification processes. Achieving LEED

certification, with its rigorous standards, requires careful planning and implementation of

specific strategies, which is where specialized expertise becomes invaluable.

The Importance of LEED Accredited Professionals

To ensure that green building strategies are effectively incorporated and that the project

achieves LEED certification, it is crucial to involve LEED consultants—specifically, LEED

Accredited Professionals (APs). These professionals possess extensive knowledge of

green building principles and LEED standards. They are uniquely qualified to guide the

project team in integrating sustainable practices throughout the design and construction

phases, ensuring that each aspect of the project aligns with LEED requirements.

LEED consultants play a critical role in streamlining coordination among stakeholders,

including the client, architect, engineers, and contractors. They assist in implementing

sustainability strategies, managing necessary documentation, and providing ongoing

support throughout the project to ensure that the LEED certification process runs

smoothly. Their expertise is vital in navigating the complexities of the certification

process and helping the project team achieve the desired certification level.

Achieving LEED certification requires more than just technical expertise; it demands

effective collaboration and coordination among all project stakeholders. Building a

strong, cohesive team is essential for ensuring that green building strategies are

implemented effectively and the project meets the rigorous standards set by LEED.

Here are some key tips for fostering a strong collaboration within the project team to ensure

successful LEED certification:

1. Shared Goals and Strong Commitment

A key factor in a successful LEED certification process is the team’s shared vision and

commitment to sustainability. While many project members may initially be enthusiastic

about the benefits of LEED certification, the complexity of LEED standards can lead some

team members to deviate from sustainable practices, finding them cumbersome or

challenging. To avoid this, it’s crucial that the entire team remains aligned with the

project’s sustainability goals. This shared commitment helps to keep the project on track

and ensures that green building strategies are adhered to throughout the process.

2. Early Appointment of a LEED Consultant

When LEED consultants are brought in late, the project often incurs additional costs due

to missed requirements and strategies that were not initially planned for. To avoid these

challenges, it is vital to appoint a LEED consultant at the very beginning of the project.

This allows for a more seamless integration of LEED-specific strategies and

requirements from the outset, ensuring that the project team can address these

considerations early and efficiently, thus minimizing delays and additional costs.

3. Comprehensive Project Planning

Successful LEED certification is the result of meticulous and comprehensive project

planning. From the project's inception to its handover and subsequent maintenance,

careful planning and coordination among all stakeholders is crucial. Effective project

planning will also make it easier to integrate LEED-specific requirements at every stage

of the project and address challenges as they arise.

4. Strong Collaboration and Coordination

The project team must work together seamlessly with the LEED Accredited Professional

(AP) and consultants to ensure that all green building strategies are correctly

implemented. This collaboration also includes the timely submission of required

documentation and ensuring that all LEED criteria are met before the project is submitted

for certification review. Regular meetings and updates between all team members are

key to maintaining momentum and ensuring that every aspect of the LEED process is

thoroughly addressed.

5. Post-Construction Support and Maintenance

Once LEED certification is achieved, the project team’s responsibility doesn’t end. To

maintain LEED certification over time, ongoing support and maintenance of green

building strategies are required. The project team should continue to uphold their

commitment to sustainability by implementing post-construction tasks, such as energy

performance tracking, water usage monitoring, and maintaining indoor air quality

standards, ensuring that the building remains in compliance with LEED requirements.

Conclusion

Incorporating sustainability into building design and construction is no longer optional—

it's a necessary step toward addressing the environmental challenges of our time. LEED

certification serves as a valuable tool in demonstrating a project’s commitment to

sustainability. However, achieving this certification requires more than just a basic

understanding of green building practices.

The involvement of LEED consultants and building strong commitment within the project team ensure that sustainability strategies are effectively implemented, and the project meets the high standards necessary for LEED recognition. By partnering with LEED Accredited Professionals, project teams can ensure that their buildings not only contribute to environmental preservation but also provide long-term value for their occupants and the broader community.

At JCVA, we take pride in empowering stakeholders to realize their sustainability goals by

bringing together a dynamic and experienced team of professionals from across the

construction and green building industries. Our approach is rooted in collaboration,

technical excellence, and a deep understanding of sustainable design and construction

practices. By offering comprehensive LEED consultancy and project management

services, we ensure a streamlined, efficient, and goal-driven project delivery reducing

risks, aligning with global green building standards, and accelerating certification

timelines.

We are at the forefront of sustainable development practices. Our team is constantly

updated on the latest LEED guidelines, best practices, and emerging trends, ensuring that

our clients receive cutting-edge, practical advice tailored to their unique project needs.

Let’s achieve your project’s sustainability goals! Reach out to us at

technical@jcvassociates.ph