LEED certification, WELL certified, green building and sustainability have become mainstream keywords. What does this mean to you, and what effect does this have upon your life?
With the initiatives and mandates in energy and construction, a newfound focus on performance, materials, smart grid and water conservation are bringing sustainable living to the forefront. In our offices and homes the focus is on using materials and systems that are more efficient, better for the health of you and the building, the use of materials that have been repurposed and for the long-run using materials that are capable of being recycled.
California leads the country in sustainable standards and hopes to achieve its carbon neutral energy status within 30 years. “With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, there is even greater need for homes that are efficient, reliable and resilient,” Bohan said, adding that the standards will result in buildings that” will continue to keep costs down, better withstand the impacts of climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
What is LEED certification?
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community, and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
The standardization helped to legitimize green design making that universally excepted and has since spurred the other movements based around creating even better work and live environments. Why is this important? The sustainability of our planet, the wellness of the environment in which we work and live, and creating buildings with longevity that benefit the surroundings – all critical factors in bettering life. We recognize the conservation and sustainability factors here at Old Fashioned Lumber in various ways. We reclaim wood from historical structures for reuse, we salvage fallen trees, and we remove dead or dangerous trees… all items that would have added more waste to a landfill in the past.
What are the benefits of LEED certification? According to the USGBC website:
LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants while promoting renewable, clean energy. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification.
At Old Fashioned Lumber we use a holistic approach – knowing how one part affects the whole. We view the big picture with the idea of bettering the environment for a long-term plan to sustainable living. With this in mind, we source and use local materials:
• we remove beams, timbers and architectural elements from historic buildings
• salvage downed trees
• remove dying trees
• recycle metals
With these recycled materials we then created handcrafted furnishings, fixtures, and finishes that provide credits towards LEED-certified buildings.
Who are local San Diego architects and interior designers in this field?
While most firms have LEED-certified architects and designers, some approach it with more voraciousness. The 2019 AIA awards ceremony showcased the amazing work of our local architecture firms and their work on LEED certified building projects. With awards going to The Miller Hull Partnership, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE, Gensler and many others, the creativity in designing beauty and sustainability shown forth.
Davy Architecture’s approach to design echoes our sentiment, “As a firm of LEED Accredited Professionals, we work to achieve optimum project solutions in the quality of spaces, durability of materials and systems, and reduction of water and energy consumption. We balance aesthetics, functionality, ease of maintenance, indestructibility, and cost-effectiveness throughout our design and construction process. We’re fond of saying, ‘Our buildings should solve problems, not create new ones!’”
Moreover, as lovers of our Southern California climate that allows us to bring the outdoor spaces in, we appreciate the Interior Designers who make full use of a client’s environment. As Kim Nadel said, “I like spaces that are flexible and have a relaxed elegance – open spaces that blur the line between outdoor and indoor living. Living green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style – I can create any look and still tread lightly on the planet, in fact, I live this way. Our studio in Cardiff by the Sea is built with wood materials sourced from locally managed forests, powered by solar energy, and features folding glass door systems that allow the bright outdoor light and air in. From the mineral-based Venetian plaster walls to the LED specialty lighting, it’s my personal lab for green design and inspired coastal living.”
What Old Fashioned Lumber products count towards LEED certification?
Because every board and beam we mill is guaranteed reclaimed wood, our products are eligible to contribute many LEED points to a project. Furniture, signage, paneling, historical artifacts – regardless of your needs, our team can contribute to your Green Building, LEED certification, WELL certification or Living Building project.
Seven LEEDS Credits that Old Fashioned Lumber reclaimed wood products are eligible for include:
• MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse: 1-2 Points
• MR Credit 5: Regional Materials: 1-2 Points
• MR Credit 4: Recycled Content: 1-2 Points
• MR Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials: 1 Point
• MR Credit 7: Certified Wood: 1 Point
• IEQ Credit 4.4: Low-Emitting Materials—Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products: 1 Point
• Innovation and Design Process- ID: 1-4 Points
We are available to discuss your project needs with you. Please call or email us with your questions. We are a proud proponent of repurposed handcrafted furnishing and finishes. Sustainability of our natural resources matters!