The Evolution of Design Process - Sustainable Design: The Science of Sustainability and Green Engineering - page 11

are evaluated according to five separate categories: sustainable site planning, the safeguarding of water and
water efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy, conservation of materials and resources, and
indoor environmental quality. Applicants can earn points in 69 subcategories. An example of a scorecard
is shown in Figure S.1.1. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted this card for its
Science and Technology Center in Kansas City, Kansas, hoping to earn a gold-level certification. LEED
has four certification levels: LEED certified, 26 to 32 points; silver level, 33 to 38 points; gold level, 39 to
51 points; and platinum level, 52 to 69 points.
Figure S.1.1 LEED scorecard submitted for the Science and Technology Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA's green future for laboratories: a case study of the Kansas City Science and Technology Center
energy” EPA-200-F03-001, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, 2003.
Laboratories present a particular design challenge. For example, air exchanges are needed to maintain
air quality, especially when a laboratory contains hazardous chemicals. Most laboratories need to maintain
positive pressure toward fume hoods, which pull air out of the lab space and vent it outdoors. This means