Can SC be a LEED(er) ?

[GvilleSC]

I agree about the old buildings. They weren't exactly built with energy efficiency in mind, so it's a significant step. I wonder how easy/hard it would be to do this for much older buildings (e.g., the Poinsett building housing the Westin in Greenville, Palmetto building in Columbia, just about anything in DT Charleston)?

[Spartan]

Maybe downtown Charleston.... but the rest of the city is not that old.

[Infinite1]

LEED is currently geared more towards new construction, in fact, the current rating system is called LEED-NC (new construction). There is a LEED-EB (existing building) in the works that will focus on renovations.

[GvilleSC]

Maybe downtown Charleston.... but the rest of the city is not that old.

[krazeeboi]

From just quickly looking over it, it looks to be difficult for older buildings, especially for buildings in Charleston's scenario. There's a lot of points that can be gained through the site work, but with Charleston, I'm not sure you'd be able to really alter the site all that much. So, you'd be forced to make up for that lack of points in the actual building renovation materials. It's possible, but it seems more difficult. Check it out and see what you think.

[Spartan]

There are many critics of LEED because by its very nature it limits the green possiblities by its points system. Its very possible to have a "green builing" that meets few, if any LEED criteria. If someone has their mind set to build green, or rennovate green, it can be done.

LEED is just a convenient, politically accepted, way of building green.

[monsoon]

I guess the fact that in its present form, it's geared towards new construction explains it. But how about the 70's/80's eras buildings? I want to say I may have heard of such buildings gaining energy efficient features, but not necessarily anything in the way of LEED certification.

[GvilleSC]

Clemson students will be building a spring habitat house on Bowman Field. The house is a part of a pilot program will make it LEED Certified.

[goodbye]

Originally envisioned in early 2000, the Upstate House is a non-profit project demonstrating environmentally sensible growth in the Upstate.

[goodbye]

Clemson University is hosting its second annual GreenExpo and Conference Feb. 27-28. Read more And More.

[goodbye]

Groundbreaking just took place in downtown Greenville on what could become SC's first and only Gold certified LEED high-rise building.

[krazeeboi]

Wow. This thing was supposed to have broken ground ever since September 2005, so I KNOW you guys in Greenville are finally happen to see this tower moving along.

[Spartan]

This is something that the whole state should be excited over. This is good news for the state, and great news for Greenville!

[Firefox]

Was this the thing that was suppose to be the state new tallest? Looks like they scrapped some floors doesn't look like it will make a big impact on the skyline where its at.

[GvilleSC]

Was this the thing that was suppose to be the state new tallest? Looks like they scrapped some floors doesn't look like it will make a big impact on the skyline where its at.

[goodbye]

Was this the thing that was suppose to be the state new tallest? Looks like they scrapped some floors doesn't look like it will make a big impact on the skyline where its at.

[Firefox]

Forgive me for the mistake it just seems you guys freak out everytime something is annouced so I wasn't sure if this was a big project or not.

[goodbye]

In a physical sense this project is definitely rather insignificant, however, you have to understand what it means to a city like Greenville (and most of us who post here). The groundbreaking ceremony revealed the fact that this project could become the first Gold LEED certified highrise in the state, which changes the size insigificance to mean much more in a progressive sense.

Part of the excitement probably has to do with the fact that this project went through so much uncertainty before officially breaking ground.

[g-man430]

All buildings in these pics I took earlier today of CU-ICAR phase I in Greenville are going for LEED certification:

Here are some aerials of CU-ICAR phase I too:

[g-man430]

Hubbell Lighting headquarters in Greenville right up I-85 from CU-ICAR phase I is also going for LEED certification too. Here are some update pics I took earlier today of it:

[goodbye]

Great photos, g-man430! I love the Hubbell Lighting building during the day, and yet it is even more impressive at night.

[btoy]

Hasn't Clemson decided to go LEED with all new buildings, not just ICAR? THink I read that some where.

Also, Riverside High School is LEED.

[btoy]

Also, the process for LEED certification can be very time consuming and expensive so some people are building "green" buildings that maybe be certifiable but are choosing not to pursue the certification.

BTW, you can get points for a smoke free work site.

[Spartan]

Hasn't Clemson decided to go LEED with all new buildings, not just ICAR? THink I read that some where.

Also, Riverside High School is LEED.

[goodbye]

Yep. So has Carolina. I would assume other universities in the state are going to follow similar patterns. Furman has build at least one green building, and I think CofC is building one (or planning on it) too.