Guest Commentary

May/June 2008

Green From the Ground Up
Applyng LEED Principles To Landscaping

New green-build guidelines address landscaping and sustainable sites

In the chain of events that leads up to LEED certification, general contractors have a special watchdog role. They are responsible for keeping accurate records on materials used to meet LEED standards, so it is imperative that not only GCs but also their subs understand LEED certification requirements and their growing importance in winning bids.

Jo Ann Jarreau President Jo Ann Jarreau is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. She has been involved in the landscape architectural process for more than 20 years and established JAJ Landscape Architectural Services in 1999 to specialize in corporate campus, institutional and commercial landscape architecture. Jarreau is a registered landscape architect in Texas and Louisiana. Website: www.jaj-las.com

One area where GCs and subs can get the jump on LEED requirements is through the careful use of landscape architecture. Current LEED standards recognize the benefits provided by green sites and landscaping. In fact, eight to 10 LEED credits are available today for projects that incorporate sustainable site practices.

But the real news is that the number of available green-site credits is about to take off. Current LEED standards certify green buildings and sustainable structures. However, no official USGBC guidelines focus exclusively on site exteriors. The American Society of Landscape Architects is spearheading an effort to remedy this oversight. Called the “Sustainable Sites Initiative,” this new rating system will recognize sustainable sites, much as LEED recognizes sustainable buildings. USGBC is on board: SSI guidelines will be incorporated into the next iteration of LEED standards.

Once the SSI guidelines are published in spring 2009, GCs, landscape architects, developers, builders and maintenance crews who are prepared to apply them should see an increased interest in their services. The numbers support this projected growth. The value of green-building construction starts in 2008 will exceed $12 billion and is projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Analytics.

How can GCs apply sustainable landscaping practices to their current projects?

Several components of your landscape plan, such as water use, habitat protection and reduced light pollution, can demonstrate to clients and other contractors an understanding of sustainable building practices. These practices can earn LEED credits today, often with less investment per credit than other activities.

Look at water use. The demand for high-quality municipal drinking water has risen greatly—up 209% since 1950, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most sites are designed to use potable water only once, and rainwater is allowed just to flow off site. Sustainable sites treat water runoff as a resource, building in grass swells or rain barrels to harvest water and recycle it for use in irrigation, water features and custodial applications.

Green roofs are another way to reduce a site’s dependence on the municipal grid. A green roof insulates, bringing down heating and cooling costs, and the plants protect it from harmful UV rays, prolonging the life of the roof and decreasing future maintenance costs.

Information about other steps you can take today to green your sites and plans is available from SSI and USGBC. A LEED-accredited landscape architect can do a design-payback analysis to spotlight future savings for your clients by going green right now.

In the past, natural elements in design were viewed purely aesthetically, but selecting native plants and placing them to properly reduce heat islands and wind effects does not detract from the appearance of a site. Research has shown that these and other sustainable landscape choices can benefit us in many ways. Providing outdoor space for physical activity contributes to healthier residents and opportunities for social interaction, leading to lower absenteeism and higher productivity. The Journal of Arboriculture correlated a comfortable outdoor walking space with simple tree and grass cover with lower crime rates in a 2003 study of urban Chicago. Great job, grass and trees!

Growing awareness of LEED and SSI among consumers as well as construction professionals will encourage everyone to view rehabs and new projects “from the ground up.” It will transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, and will pay for itself in improved health, greater productivity, less maintenance, reduced energy costs and increased asset value.