Learn how different approaches demonstrate life-cycle thinking in development and design. Discover sustainable strategies for LEED projects.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following demonstrates life-cycle approach to development or design?
A. Purchasing and demolishing a 100-year-old apartment building to build a new. energy-efficient building
B. Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials
C. Locating a new building in a dense district with a diversity of uses and plentiful transit routes
D. Designing a building envelope with the most advanced technology to maximize insulation values, regardless of what materials are used
Answer
B. Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials
Explanation
Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials is an example of a life-cycle approach to development or design. A life-cycle approach is an approach that considers the environmental impacts of a product or a project from cradle to grave, or from extraction of raw materials to disposal or reuse.
Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials reduces the environmental impacts associated with new construction, such as land use change, resource depletion, energy consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the intents of the Materials and Resources category is to “promote life-cycle assessment as a means of evaluating environmental impacts”.
Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials demonstrates a life-cycle approach to development or design. This approach prioritizes sustainability by extending the life of an existing structure and minimizing the environmental impact associated with new construction.
By utilizing recycled materials, the project reduces waste and resource consumption while conserving energy that would otherwise be used in manufacturing new materials. Additionally, renovating existing buildings often preserves historical and cultural value, contributing to community sustainability. This strategy aligns with LEED principles by promoting resource efficiency and reducing the building’s overall environmental footprint.
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