Very good introduction to passive house design by Tim Eian

Is LEED on track to save the world?

From the BuildingGreenBlog:

Rob Watson recently published "Green Building Market & Impact Report," his second annual report on the impact LEED is having in addressing environmental problems. The report highlights the continuing remarkable expansion of LEED: 2009 registrations for new design and construction projects in the U.S. may actually exceed total new construction starts! (This is possible because projects don't typically register when they start construction, and a flurry of projects were registered just before the requirement to use LEED 2009 kicked in, to keep their options open.)

Best cases DGNB and LEED

This are two good examples for LEED and DGNB certified new office buildings

Best cases DGNB and LEED

View more presentations from jschumacher.

Where to find information about LEED for homes

LEED is increasingly becoming more important in the United States. I just came across a list of 28 cities in the U.S. (and in Vancouver, BC) that require LEED certification, often with "Silver Rating".

LEED™ Green Building Rating System Explained

Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology, LEED GoldToronto, Ontario

Source: http://www.enermodal.com/Canadian/leed_explained.html

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system was originally developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a recognized standard for the construction industry to assess the environmental sustainability of building designs. Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC) has since adapted the USGBC LEED rating system to the specific concerns and requirements of buildings in Canada.
LEED is a point-based rating system; points are earned for building attributes considered environmentally beneficial. LEED differs from other rating systems in that it has quantified most of the "green credits." For example, 5% of the building materials must be from salvaged materials to earn a point for the salvaged materials credit.

LEED has 69 points (70 for LEED Canada) covering six topic areas. Each topic area has a statement of associated goals.

• Site Development: minimize storm water run-off, encourage car pooling and bicycling, increase urban density and green space
• Water Efficiency: eliminate site irrigation, reduce water consumption, minimize or treat wastewater
• Energy Efficiency: reduce building energy consumption, use renewable energy, eliminate ozone-depleting chemicals, commission building systems
• Material Selection: minimize construction waste, re-use existing building façade, use recycled and salvaged materials, use renewable construction materials and design and build more durable buildings
• Indoor Environmental Quality: incorporate daylighting, use low off-emitting materials, provide operable windows and occupant control of work space, improve delivery of ventilation air
• Innovation in Design: use a LEED Accredited Professional, greatly exceed the requirements of a credit, incorporate innovative environmental features not covered in other areas, develop a green education plan (such as installing an Enermodal Signature Green Building Kiosk)

Is there really a need to quantify "good architecture" as a measure for resource efficiency?

I spent some time looking into the definition of good architecture, and into finding rules and measures for good architecture. I came across a few good points in a discussion forum on archinect such as:

• One has to feel good when being inside the building.
• Good architecture is the feeling that you're in a cathedral, viewing something timeless, innovative, and inspiring."Good architecture has to encourage and return traditional aesthetic values.
• Good architecture stimulates the senses.
• One man's good architecture is another man's crime.
• A good architecture is one which meets the needs of the entity that funds its existence.

The Environment Report: How Green Is The LEED Label?

LEED buildings get points for green things like bike racks and good energy use, but it doesn’t actually enforce energy efficiency (Photo by Lester Graham) The biggest energy users in America are not cars and trucks - they're buildings. Buildings use about 40% of the nation's energy. In 2000, the US Green Building Council introduced a program that certifies "green" buildings. It's called LEED. That stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. But Samara Freemark reports some critics see serious flaws in the LEED program. See link below:
The Environment Report: How Green Is The LEED Label?

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labels

To start a good article from Zeno magazine. The pdf is very bad to read but I have the issue at home so don´t worry I will scan it.
http://www.zeno-online.de/media/Fachartikel/1216201416.pdf --> I´m sorry it is in German :(

LABELS
I did a small map showing the different labels. I think as a first overview is very helpful.
Labels that apply for the building scale

Labels that apply for the quarter scale

How do we structure the Energy PROJECT?

As a general guideline, it appears that we first have to define best practices in energy efficient buidling/ town planning.

The next step could be to evaluate existing buildings based on our best practices priniciples. That's after the first presentation.