Introduction to the WGBA Greenline Blog
A culture of sustainability and a desire for a greener built environment are common ground between The Boldt Company and the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA). That’s why it seemed natural to partner in the process of documenting the construction of a LEED certified project. As the industry voice in sustainable building for Wisconsin, the WGBA saw opportunity in partnering with Boldt, a leader in sustainable construction, to journey through the LEED certification process on a new ThedaCare Physicians Clinic in the Fox River Valley. As an embedded third party to the construction process, the WGBA will highlight the ecological construction practices that will bring the project from lines on paper to a sustainable model in our built environment.
What makes the process more interesting is that we’re currently at a juncture in the LEED rating system. Earlier this year, the USGBC introduced the newest version of the LEED rating system. On the heels of chronological improvements to the LEED for New Construction versions 2.0 to 2.2 rating system over the past 10 years, the USGBC released LEED version 3.0, or Green Building Design and Construction 2009. The ThedaCare Physicians Clinic happened upon a unique time in the LEED rating systems where the project will have the choice to proceed with either the LEED NC v2.2 rating system or the Green Building Design or Construction 2009 rating system. So the question is, what is different between the two systems and which rating system will the project ultimately submit for certification under?
Boldt Project Manager and LEED AP Nick Mueller and WGBA Fox Valley Member Circle Chair and LEED AP Heather McCombs will be providing updates on the WGBA website throughout the construction process. These updates will highlight milestones current to the phase of construction, compare and contrast sustainable construction practices, and also weigh the pros and cons of the two LEED rating systems. Perspectives and analysis from subcontractor partners and jobsite progress photos will add some additional depth and insight. You will also be able to take a first-hand walk through the entire process at the 2010 G2B Conference on April 28 in Appleton, Wisconsin.
This is a great opportunity to share sustainable building experiences within the construction industry through the eyes and voice of WGBA and a trusted leader in sustainability, The Boldt Company.
