Michael Shilale, AIA, Presentation on LEED For Existing Buildings
Michael Shilale, AIA,from Michael Shilale Architects, LLP (MSA), located in New City, NY, was the keynote speaker at the 21st Annual Dinner of the Rockland Municipal Planning Federation, last evening, March 31.
Mike spoke about a very timely topic -- LEED for Existing Buildings (E
. He gave us a thorough run-down of the basic areas of the this LEED rating system, which mirrors that of the other LEED systems, but is tailored to buildings that are at least a year old, and are taking the effort to become more energy, water and environmentally effective.
The areas in LEED-EB include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Interior Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Operation. As expected, to tailor this rating system to that of an existing building, one needs to look at what is currently present, and improve on it -- often just using simple changes. Sustainable Sites might include an increased emphasis on alternative transportation options, such as providing exclusive parking for alternative more efficient vehicles, the encouragement of the use of mass transit. Water efficiency can often be boosted up to 20 percent by just replacing older plumbing fixtures with newer code-compliant ones, or better yet, the use of dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals. He also showed us an innovative storm water collection system in place in a Boston project that provide enough rainwater collection to provide for ALL toilet / urinal flushing AND all outdoor irrigation needs. This totally eliminated the need for potable water use for these purposes, further reducing the water use for the building.
Energy efficiency in existing buildings can often be accomplished by having a state. local or utility agency do a base-line audit on the existing usage, and prepare an often simple plan to do such things as replace existing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent, replace aging HVAC equipment with newer ultra-high efficiency models. Mike showed us that certain Energy Supply Companies will often have programs to do this for little cost to the building owner. Energy Savings of up to 50 percent are possible for LEED Certified buildings, and up to 39 percent reduction in carbon emissions are also possible with this system. This is of such importance, as buildings use up to 75 percent of the electricity generated each year, which is a large contributor of carbon emissions, especially if dirty fossil fuels are used to generate it. Another excellent opportunity that Mike showed us was the use of renewable energy, namely solar voltaic panels. he demonstrated a novel approach to the placement of them, so that they would provide shade to the side of a building during summer, and then as the fall and winter seasons approached, due to angle of the sun becoming lower, would allow for sunlight to heat the exterior side that had been shaded during the summer. He also made the point of the up to 50 percent NYSERDA credit in New York State for the installation of solar energy systems.
Indoor Environmental Quality is often addressed in existing building by increasing ventilation, but the need to balance energy use is paramount here. Replacing flooring and furniture with low or non-VOC emitting products offers real benefits. All in all, this contributes to a more healthy environment for both workers and residents alike, as we spend often up to 90 percent of our time indoors. Mike also emphasized the application of natural day-lighting to improve the performance of the building's occupants -- whether in a school, office building, or private home.
Michael Shilale is currently Vice President of the NYS American Institute of Architects, and is also now a member of Board of Directors of the Rockland Business Association, as well as the Rockland County Arts in Public Places. He also serves on the board of the Rockland Housing Action Coalition. In addition, Mike has done many innovative and award-winning projects for such clients as the Kathleen Lukens Living Center for Camp Venture, as well as local and regional schools and private residences. Michael Shilale Associates is currently seeking LEED-EB certification for their own office building in New City.
Mike spoke about a very timely topic -- LEED for Existing Buildings (E
. He gave us a thorough run-down of the basic areas of the this LEED rating system, which mirrors that of the other LEED systems, but is tailored to buildings that are at least a year old, and are taking the effort to become more energy, water and environmentally effective.The areas in LEED-EB include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Interior Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Operation. As expected, to tailor this rating system to that of an existing building, one needs to look at what is currently present, and improve on it -- often just using simple changes. Sustainable Sites might include an increased emphasis on alternative transportation options, such as providing exclusive parking for alternative more efficient vehicles, the encouragement of the use of mass transit. Water efficiency can often be boosted up to 20 percent by just replacing older plumbing fixtures with newer code-compliant ones, or better yet, the use of dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals. He also showed us an innovative storm water collection system in place in a Boston project that provide enough rainwater collection to provide for ALL toilet / urinal flushing AND all outdoor irrigation needs. This totally eliminated the need for potable water use for these purposes, further reducing the water use for the building.
Energy efficiency in existing buildings can often be accomplished by having a state. local or utility agency do a base-line audit on the existing usage, and prepare an often simple plan to do such things as replace existing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent, replace aging HVAC equipment with newer ultra-high efficiency models. Mike showed us that certain Energy Supply Companies will often have programs to do this for little cost to the building owner. Energy Savings of up to 50 percent are possible for LEED Certified buildings, and up to 39 percent reduction in carbon emissions are also possible with this system. This is of such importance, as buildings use up to 75 percent of the electricity generated each year, which is a large contributor of carbon emissions, especially if dirty fossil fuels are used to generate it. Another excellent opportunity that Mike showed us was the use of renewable energy, namely solar voltaic panels. he demonstrated a novel approach to the placement of them, so that they would provide shade to the side of a building during summer, and then as the fall and winter seasons approached, due to angle of the sun becoming lower, would allow for sunlight to heat the exterior side that had been shaded during the summer. He also made the point of the up to 50 percent NYSERDA credit in New York State for the installation of solar energy systems.
Indoor Environmental Quality is often addressed in existing building by increasing ventilation, but the need to balance energy use is paramount here. Replacing flooring and furniture with low or non-VOC emitting products offers real benefits. All in all, this contributes to a more healthy environment for both workers and residents alike, as we spend often up to 90 percent of our time indoors. Mike also emphasized the application of natural day-lighting to improve the performance of the building's occupants -- whether in a school, office building, or private home.
Michael Shilale is currently Vice President of the NYS American Institute of Architects, and is also now a member of Board of Directors of the Rockland Business Association, as well as the Rockland County Arts in Public Places. He also serves on the board of the Rockland Housing Action Coalition. In addition, Mike has done many innovative and award-winning projects for such clients as the Kathleen Lukens Living Center for Camp Venture, as well as local and regional schools and private residences. Michael Shilale Associates is currently seeking LEED-EB certification for their own office building in New City.
Posted by Alan L. Englander at 4/1/2009 10:32 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: LEED-EB Indoor Envirnonmental Quality Rockand Municipal Planning Federation Electricty and Energy Savings Carbon Emissions
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: LEED-EB Indoor Envirnonmental Quality Rockand Municipal Planning Federation Electricty and Energy Savings Carbon Emissions
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