University of North Carolina, Greensboro
OP-2: Building Design and Construction

All new buildings and major renovations must comply with standards established by NC Senate Bills 668 and 1946. These established a new Sustainable, Energy Efficient Buildings Program, with specific energy and water efficiency requirements for major new and renovated State-funded facilities that enter their schematic design phase on or after August 8,2008. These requirements have been incorporated into State construction requirements (http://www.nc-sco.com/documents/guidelines/EEREPORT.pdf). The State Sustainability Policy also includes a section on new construction: "Design and Construction: Capital project planning and construction processes shall meet statutory energy and water efficiency requirements and deliver energy, water, and materials efficient buildings and grounds that minimize the impact on and/or enhance the site and provide good indoor environmental quality for occupants." UNCG’s Design and Construction Guidelines, General Design Standards state: ”Designers shall consider long-term durability and maintainability when selecting and specifying materials and equipment. The University is a permanent facility and as such "first cost" should not be the prime consideration in specifications. When appropriate, "life-cycle" costs should be the determining factor.” These guidelines complement the state mandates (http://www.uncg.edu/fpl/sustain-news.html). All designers are required to design new and renovated buildings in accordance with these guidelines. The professional design staff reviews the design documents and monitors the construction to ensure all guidelines and policies are followed. Either the design consultant or a member of the FDC staff submits the templates to USGBC for certification on those projects seeking LEED certification. UNCG has 6 LEED APs and 2 LEED Green Associates on staff.

Information for this credit was received from Fred Patrick, Director of Facilities Design and Construction at UNCG. See also: Sustainable Energy Efficient Buildings report from the North Carolina State Construction Office: http://www.nc-sco.com/documents/guidelines/EEREPORT.pdf Note: Two recently completed buildings have been registered with USGBC and are scheduled to receive LEED certification in the next few months.