University of North Carolina, Greensboro
OP-4: Building Design and Construction

The primary green building rating system that the university utilizes is LEED® for New Construction and Major Renovations. The 2009 strategic plan mandates all new major projects meet LEED Silver standards. List of CERTIFIED Buildings: 1. Academic Classroom and Office Bldg. – Certified LEED Gold 2011 2. Jefferson Suites Residence Hall – Certified LEED Silver in 2013 3. Quad Housing Project – Certified LEED Gold 2013 List of REGISTERED Buildings: 4. Spartan Village Student Housing – PH. I (Construction COMPLETE – LEED Certification PENDING). 5. Campus Police Building (Construction COMPLETE – LEED Certification PENDING). 6. Moran Commons/Dining Hall Renovation (UNDER Construction – LEED Certification PENDING). 7. Student Recreation Center (UNDER Construction – LEED Certification PENDING).

UNCG Facilities Design and Construction maintains an updated set of guidelines to assist architects and engineers when working on new construction and major renovation projects on campus. These included university specific systems that are required to maintain operation and functionality on the campus, as well as best practices from projects completed on the campus over the last twenty-plus years. The guidelines have recently been updated (December 2014) to include items related to sustainability such as reduced maintenance, material and equipment selections, and reducing both energy and water consumption.

The 2009 UNCG strategic plan, UNCG Tomorrow, mandates that all new major projects to meet LEED Silver standards at a minimum. 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. Life cycle cost including installation, maintenance, and disposal will be considered in the selection of building systems and equipment. The designer must develop life cycle cost studies and present the information for review by the University to assist with the selection of materials and equipment on major renovation and new construction projects.” These guidelines complement the state mandates (http://www.northcarolina.edu/apps/policy/index.php?pg=vs&id=5606). All designers are required to design new and renovated buildings in accordance with these guidelines. The professional design staff at UNCG 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 5 LEED APs and 1 LEED Green Associate on staff.

Information for this credit was received from Matt Takacs, Assistant Director of Project Management, 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