The scenarios were validated by comparing them
For the purposes of this Applications Guide, it was
to the LEED scorecards of actual GSA projects.
determined that the data from the Cost Study could
This ensured that the credits selected for each
be used in two significant ways: 1) the prerequisite
scenario were feasible and achievable in the GSA
and credit cost categorizations could provide GSA
context. Appendix C shows a summary of the
project teams with a starting point to evaluate
scorecards for a number of recent GSA LEED
potential LEED costs; and 2) the process used to
projects.
develop the overall LEED ratings in the Cost Study
could be adapted into a preliminary LEED
The GSA LEED Cost Study therefore provided two
evaluation process.
key evaluations--the predicted costs of individual
LEED prerequisites and credits, and the predicted
Table 1-1 (below) summarizes the prerequisite and
costs to achieve LEED ratings at the Certified,
credit cost categorizations from the Cost Study. The
Silver and Gold rating levels.
table identifies the range of cost impacts defined
for each prerequisite and credit in the New
Courthouse and Office Building Modernization
scenarios and then projects an expected cost for
other GSA office or institutional building types
(differentiating new construction and
modernization projects). The table is intended as a
quick reference for project teams to assess initial
LEED costs in the GSA project context.
The comments column in Table 1-1 addresses a
key aspect of the cost analysis--the fact that some
credits are inherently not applicable to all projects,
and the fact that many credits have variable costs
that depend on the building type, site, approach to
compliance, or other factors. It is incumbent on all
GSA project teams to assess the applicability of
LEED credits to their specific project and to
determine the likely approach that will be taken for
credits with highly variable costs. The detailed
analyses in the GSA LEED Cost Study can act as a
useful reference for project teams in making these
assessments.
Figure 1-2. GSA LEED Cost Study, October 2004.
This major study for the U.S. General Services
Administration evaluates the hard cost and soft cost
impacts associated with the U.S. Green Building
Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) rating system. Two building types (new
construction Courthouse and Federal Office Building
modernization) are analyzed at the Certified, Silver, and
Gold rating levels.
GSA LEED APPLICATIONS GUIDE
5
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