Section 2: Individual LEED Credit Reviews
In the high-cost cases for the Courthouse, the
fiber ceiling tiles) must be included. As with the
structural steel products are assumed to contain
Courthouse model, a premium is only included for
only 30 percent recycled content. Because of this
the synthetic gypsum wallboard to address
more conservative estimate for the steel, the
additional shipping costs.
project includes a wider range of additional
The full faade renovation scenario employs a
recycled-content materials. These include all of the
similar approach. By including recycled-content
products noted for the "low cost" Courthouse
carpet tiles, synthetic gypsum wallboard, and high-
scenario, as well as the following:
recycled-content ceiling tiles with the other
"standard" recycled-content materials, the 10
Nylon carpet tiles with recycled nylon fiber
percent threshold is attained.
and recycled PVC backings
"Synthetic" gypsum wallboard (greater than
Summary of First Cost Impacts
90 percent post-industrial recycled content)
Mineral-fiber based ceiling tiles (greater than
70 percent post-industrial recycled content)
Courthouse (New Construction, 262,000 GSF)
Of these three additional materials, only the
Low Cost
synthetic gypsum wallboard is assumed to add cost
(the reference budget assumes quality materials for
No identified cost premiums.
the carpet tiles and ceiling tiles; therefore there is
no cost premium to specify high recycled-content
High Cost
options). While the 90 percent synthetic gypsum
wallboard itself is not assumed to cost more than
Total Credit Cost........................................ ,331
standard wallboard, it is available from a limited
Cost Impact ($/GSF) ..........................
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.30/GSFnumber of plants throughout the country. The cost
Cost Impact (%) ............................................ 0.14%
premium in the study is therefore based on
additional shipping charges that would be incurred
Office Building (Modernization, 306,600 GSF)
to obtain the wallboard from plants outside the
normal shipping distances.1
Total Credit Cost........................................ ,394
Cost Impact ($/GSF) ..........................
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.11/GSFOffice Building
Cost Impact (%), Min. Facade .................... 0.08%
Cost Impact (%), Full Facade......................0.08%
In the Office Building model, different calculations
are used for the "minimal faade renovation" and
"full faade renovation" scenarios. In both cases,
the recycled-content materials are focused on
Additional Considerations
interior construction and finishes, as the building
structure already exists.
Some recycled-content products, such as carpet
tiles, ceramic tiles, resilient flooring, or wall
In the minimum faade renovation, recycled
coverings, are available in a limited set of styles,
content is accounted for in a number of "industry
colors, and sizes. Designers should familiarize
standard" materials, primarily in steel products
themselves with the product options early in the
(studs, ceiling grid, toilet partitions, railings, etc.)
design process to ensure that potential product
and wood particleboard or mdf (millwork
limitations do not conflict with the project's overall
substrates). To reach the 10 percent threshold, the
design goals. For competitive bidding purposes,
same three high-recycled-content finish materials
designers must also avoid selecting recycled-
identified in the "high cost" Courthouse option
content materials that are available from only one
(carpet tiles, synthetic gypsum wallboard, mineral
manufacturer.
This assumption will not apply to all locations. In
1
some parts of the country, synthetic gypsum products
are available locally at no additional cost. In other parts
of the country, the synthetic gypsum plants are too far
away to make shipping a viable option.
GSA LEED COST STUDY
108
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