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Green Building To Be Erected In New York City |
by David Amos
In 2008 New York City will have a new addition to its skyline. Rising 945 feet, this glass and steel skyscraper will provide a new home for Bank of America and anchor a corner of Bryant Park. Most importantly, it will set the standard for how high rise buildings are built in the future, focused on minimizing negative environmental impact.
The Bank of America Tower will be the first skyscraper in the world to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's 'Platinum' rating, as defined by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The LEED standard was created by representatives from all areas of the building community as a voluntary standard to rate the environmental impact of buildings. To date, there are 1510 projects striving for LEED certification worldwide, equaling over 185 million square feet of green buildings.
In order for a building to be certified by LEED it must be rated based on a checklist of green building practices. For instance, buildings would receive points for using recycled building materials and certified wood. These points are added up and the building is given a rating \'d0 certified, silver, gold, or platinum.
While these standards might seem like a hassle to developers, the advantages of LEED certification are winning over much of the building community. LEED certification is something developers can use as positive publicity for their projects. Also, tenants of green buildings on average stay healthier, work harder, and report higher job satisfaction than traditional structures. These benefits come from natural lighting, cleaner air, and better spatial design.
Developers also like promoting the financial benefits of green architecture. Green buildings use water, electricity, and materials more efficiently than the average building, cutting down on bills considerably. The improved health and well being of the occupants can also be translated into monetary savings. Improved employee attendance results in higher productivity.
As the LEED rating system continues to gain acceptance the amount of more efficient, cost-effective buildings will rise along with it. Who knows how many more buildings will be LEED certified in 2008, when the 52 story Bank of America Tower is finished. But the skyscraper has set the bar for all new green construction, and it has set the bar high.
www.usgbc.org
U.S. Green Building Council
(202) 828-7422
In 2008 New York City will have a new addition to its skyline. Rising 945 feet, this glass and steel skyscraper will provide a new home for Bank of America and anchor a corner of Bryant Park. Most importantly, it will set the standard for how high rise buildings are built in the future, focused on minimizing negative environmental impact.
The Bank of America Tower will be the first skyscraper in the world to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's 'Platinum' rating, as defined by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The LEED standard was created by representatives from all areas of the building community as a voluntary standard to rate the environmental impact of buildings. To date, there are 1510 projects striving for LEED certification worldwide, equaling over 185 million square feet of green buildings.
In order for a building to be certified by LEED it must be rated based on a checklist of green building practices. For instance, buildings would receive points for using recycled building materials and certified wood. These points are added up and the building is given a rating \'d0 certified, silver, gold, or platinum.
While these standards might seem like a hassle to developers, the advantages of LEED certification are winning over much of the building community. LEED certification is something developers can use as positive publicity for their projects. Also, tenants of green buildings on average stay healthier, work harder, and report higher job satisfaction than traditional structures. These benefits come from natural lighting, cleaner air, and better spatial design.
Developers also like promoting the financial benefits of green architecture. Green buildings use water, electricity, and materials more efficiently than the average building, cutting down on bills considerably. The improved health and well being of the occupants can also be translated into monetary savings. Improved employee attendance results in higher productivity.
As the LEED rating system continues to gain acceptance the amount of more efficient, cost-effective buildings will rise along with it. Who knows how many more buildings will be LEED certified in 2008, when the 52 story Bank of America Tower is finished. But the skyscraper has set the bar for all new green construction, and it has set the bar high.
www.usgbc.org
U.S. Green Building Council
(202) 828-7422
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