LEED Specific Courses By Newest

Embodied carbon is the hidden impact embedded within construction materials and products and contributes significantly to our carbon footprint. By understanding the implications of your specification decisions, you possess the key to not only reducing embodied carbon, but also creating resilient and environmentally conscious structures. In this course, we explore how LEED v4.1 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M ratings systems address embodied carbon and help reduce environmental impacts.

Deadly hurricanes, blistering heatwaves, melting ice caps, massive crop failures, catastrophic droughts, and significant economic losses are the result of carbon emissions, specifically in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. Addressing carbon emissions is crucial to mitigating these devastating effects. Design professionals play a critical role in mitigating carbon emissions through their design decisions and practices. In this course, we explore the LEED Zero certification program and how it can help fight climate change.

The choices we make when specifying building materials can have significant effects on the planet and human health. The world is facing cataclysmic issues such as climate destabilization, pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation, and greenhouse gases. Construction produces vast volumes of waste and consumes colossal amounts of energy. Design professionals can make a difference in minimizing the damage to the environment and human health by selecting better building materials.

The purpose of this presentation is to learn the principles of thermal comfort, heat transfer and the benefits of the innovative HVAC strategy that pairs traditional air conditioning with energy-efficient air movement.

In this course, we describe how design professionals can achieve the LEED v4.1 BD+C Sensitive Land Protection credit and reduce environmental impacts for building sites. We review sensitive land areas including wildlife habitat, wetlands, prime farmland, floodplains, and water bodies.

In this course, we describe how design professionals can achieve the LEED v4.1 BD+C and O+M Rainwater Management Credit. In addition, we discuss green infrastructure and low-impact development strategies and how they can help for project sites.

In this course, we explain how to achieve the LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C MR: Sourcing of Raw Materials credit and how to specify environmentally friendly building materials. We review FSC certification, recycled content, and how bio-based materials could change the future of construction.

In this course, we explore strategies to improve indoor air quality and how to achieve the LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C EQ Low-Emitting Materials credit. In addition, we review the applicable requirements such as (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2–2017. Finally, we discuss how buildings with excellent indoor environmental quality protect the health of building occupants.

In this course, we explain how design professionals can achieve the LEED v4.1 BD+C Indoor Water Use Reduction Prerequisite. We discuss strategies to help reduce potable water use in buildings such as specifying WaterSense labeled products. In addition, our team discusses challenges regarding the nation’s water supply and the need to update water infrastructure.

In this course we describe how project teams can use Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for LEED v4.1 projects. Our team describes the environmental impacts referenced in EPDs and how these impacts may affect the planet and its inhabitants. We discuss how EPDs can contribute to the LEED v4.1 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M ratings systems to create sustainable buildings.

Full Course Description:

In this one-hour course our team explores how scientists can help building product manufacturers meet the challenges of LEED v4 MR credits. We discuss how scientists help manufacturers develop product declarations and documentation for LEED v4 projects. We review the obstacles of achieving the LEED v4 BD+C MR credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients. Finally, we examine free resources that can help manufacturers and AEC firms with LEED projects.

How do you design an innovative neuroscience research facility to study the brain and bring together biological sciences, physics, engineering, chemistry, and social sciences? In this video course, we explore the state-of-the art Chen Neuroscience Research Building at Caltech. We review how the project team achieved LEED v4 certification by focusing on reducing energy and water consumption in the labs, increasing indoor air quality, selecting sustainable building materials, and using an integrative process to reach their goals.

Following a case study format, selected project team members from the DPR Phoenix Regional Headquarters tell their stories through a series of interviews, info-graphics, and building video tours. The DPR Phoenix Regional Headquarters achieved LEED Platinum certification under the LEED NC 2009 rating system, and received one of the first Net-Zero Energy certifications from the International Living Future Institute. The course demonstrates the innovative strategies the team used to optimize the building’s energy performance in a hot arid climate, such as a 4-part integrated passive cooling.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused significant damage to the global economy and disrupted people's lives. In this course we will identify COVID-19 challenges with respect to building occupancy, public health, and social equity. We will review LEED v4.1 BD+C Safety First Pilot Credits and discuss their possible impact on building occupant's health. Our team provides a deep-dive into the AIA Re-occupancy Assessment Tool and how design professionals can prioritize the health of building occupants.

In this 1-hour course we will explore the role of subcontractors and suppliers within the LEED process. We will review documentation submitted for LEED v4 projects such as Health Product Declarations (HPDs). Our team will discuss project team responsibilities and conclude with proven strategies to help you with your LEED v4 projects.

This course is written to educate design professionals on the amendments of LEEDv4 in comparison to its earlier editions, and will allow them to understand the core reasons behind these changes. The course delves into LEED EQ Credit: Quality Views in an in depth and comprehensive manner to instruct the professional on the true definition of the credit requirements as well as its intent. The course will also provide strategies for the design professional to successfully incorporate quality views into their designs when applicable to the project.

In this one-hour course, the participant will discover how to reduce building water use by increasing efficiency and reducing potable water consumption for LEED BD+C projects. We address water consumed by fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and processes including cooling towers. We also perform water use calculations, and apply these strategies to achieve points for LEED BD+C projects.