MaryEllen C. Nobe

LEED Economic Assessment Program (LEAP)

LEAP estimates the potential financial benefits associated with implementation of various sustainable design strategies outlined in the LEED Rating System. These financial benefits come from two primary sources: (1) reductions in operational costs resulting from energy and water efficiency measures, and (2) increases in employee productivity as a function of improved indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfaction. The estimates of productivity enhancement are based on research outlining productivity improvement as a function of different indoor environmental factors. LEAP is a universal tool that can be applied to any building certified under LEED v2.2 or LEED 2009. The purpose of LEAP is (1) to assist real estate brokers in marketing LEED Certified space, and (2) to assist perspective owners and tenants in making informed decisions based on potential economic benefits associated with occupying a particular LEED Certified space.

Identifying Perceived Barriers and Benefits to Reducing Energy Consumption in an Affordable Housing Complex

Reduction of energy consumption in the affordable housing sector is highly impacted by human behavior. However, only limited behavior change research exists that is aimed at reducing energy consumption in this sector. This study seeks to implement the first two phases of the community-based social marketing (CBSM) framework in an affordable housing setting. The goals of the research are to identify the optimal behaviors for energy reduction and to identify the perceived barriers and benefits associated with those behaviors in a low-income housing facility. The results of this study identify five target behaviors along with their barriers and benefits. In addition, the study identifies potential issues and nuances in the CBSM process that researchers should take into consideration during future implementations of CBSM in affordable housing environments.

Moving Operations and Maintenance Practices of Existing Buildings beyond Sustainability: A Case Study of the LENSES Framework during Post Occupancy

ABSTRACT The Living Environments in Natural, Social and Economic Systems (LENSES) Framework is a tool intended to facilitate building professionals’ ability to look beyond sustainability to more regenerative approaches regardless of the building’s current phase of life. The purpose of this case study is to utilize the LENSES Framework to evaluate the degenerative, sustainable and regenerative (DSR) effects of the operations and maintenance (O/M) of an existing building. The building selected for this case study was Building 41, which is owned and operated by the General Services Administration in Denver, Colorado. Results of this study indicate that Building 41 is most regenerative through the actions of its occupants, most sustainable through its critical systems and technological upgrade integrations, and most degenerative through its original construction measures. DSR differences are found in individual component’s levels’ of agreement when contrasting original design and construction (D/C) measures with O/M lifecycle upgrades and/or occupants’ influence. This work adds to existing literature that stresses the need to shift to a more regenerative evaluation of facilities.

Needs Assessment: Identifying and Addressing High School Counselors’ Perceptions of Construction Management

Recruitment of high school student into Construction Management (CM) undergraduate programs is challenging for many United States universities. Often, only students who know someone in the industry are aware of the degree and career possibilities related to CM. A survey of 81 freshmen CM students in one CM program indicates high school counselors tended to have little or no knowledge of CM in Colorado. To gain more insight into this situation and to develop strategies to address it, a needs assessment was conducted to determine Colorado high school counselors’ current knowledge and perceptions of CM career opportunities. Responses from Colorado high schools counselors indicate a gap exists between their knowledge of CM career and degree opportunities and the level of knowledge that CM programs would like for them to possess and share with their students. Survey results also indicate that the existence of a gap in students’ knowledge of CM, along with negative perceived social norms, further limit counselors’ ability to effectively advise student about CM. The High School Counselor Outreach Program (HSCOP) was developed to provide guidance to CM departments on how to address the identified knowledge gaps based on the barriers and preferences identified.

Utilization of Post-Occupancy Evaluations in LEED Certified K-12 Schools

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) focuses on the requirements that occupants have in terms of “health, safety, security, functionality and efficiency, psychological comfort, aesthetic quality and satisfaction” (Federal Facilities Council, 2001). Postoccupancy evaluations provide an opportunity to integrate multiple priorities including building performance and occupant requirements, which contributes to buildings becoming more sustainable. This research looks at the application of POE among LEED® Certified K-12 schools, and whether or not they address the imperative to include children’s perspectives about their everyday environments. Data for this study comes from a survey of LEED® Certified K-12 schools. Results show that two-thirds of the schools surveyed did not conduct a POE. Reasons identified include lack of awareness of the purpose and benefits of a POE, as well as a lack of funding. Of the 10 schools that did conduct a POE, only 2 (7% overall) included students in the process.

Community-based Social Marketing: An Application to Facilities Management

Many federal, regional, and private organizations have identified solid waste management as an important operational strategy. The development of solid waste management plans, however, is difficult. A key component is increasing recycling behaviors among facility users. This research explores how Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) in Estes, Colorado is using Community-based Social Marketing (CBSM) to foster better solid waste diversion rates among facility users. Researchers performed a comprehensive test site waste audit to establish a need. In accordance with CBSM methodology, researchers conducted observations and intercept surveys to identify effective recycling behavior(s). They analyzed data to identify the barriers and benefits to these recycling behaviors from the facility users’ perspectives. They developed strategies to increase these recycling behaviors based on the barriers and benefits identified using CBSM behavior change tools. In the summer of 2012 the project will conclude with a second waste audit to evaluate implementation and outcome of the identified behavior change strategy.

Survey of Colorado Housing Authorities' Utilization of Green Building Technology

Rеducing energy usage, or at least controlling energy consumption, iѕ аn impоrtаnt gоаl for Colorado Housing Authorities (CHAs). Observational data, however, suggests only a limited number of CHAs hаvе undеrtаkеn enеrgy cоnѕеrvаtiоn mеаѕurеѕ. Data to either support or refute these observations is not avaliable, yet it is needed by funding agencies seeking to enhance energy conservation through their grant programs. This paper reviews the need for and the development of a survey of the application of green building technologies in both the maintenance and construction of CHAs’ properties. Data collected will ultimately assist funding agencies in identifying current levels of technology implementation among CHAs as a planning tool for current and future energy projects. INTRODUCTION According to Casale (2006), increased energy use in America creates incentives for consumers to explore new means of increasing energy efficiency and reducing overall energy usage. Rеducing energy, or in the least controlling the consumption of energy, iѕ also аn impоrtаnt gоаl for public housing authorities (PHA). Through controlling energy consumption for these properties, affects of high energy costs on the escalation of property rents and administrative costs can be minimized while also reducing environmental impacts of these properties. Beyond energy conservation, green housing has numerous societal, economic, and environmental benefits. Financial benefits include direct financial benefits for residents, for CHAs, for developers, and for tax credit investors. There are also indirect benefits at the community, local, regional, and global levels. Some of these positive benefits are tangible and measurable, such as energy usage and cost, while others—improved health, comfort, well-being, and feelings of pride—can be more difficult to measure (Landman, 2009). Even with all these benefits, observational data suggests that only a limited number of CHAs hаvе undеrtаkеn enеrgy saving techniques. To address this apparent lack of implemetation of green techonology among CHAs, it is first necessary to establish current levels of implementation. To address this need, this paper will focus on the development of a survey instrument designed to identify current utilization of energy and green technologies among CHAs. Information gathered from this survey research will provide data on both the educational and technical aspects of funding, education, building design and maintenance programs currently implimented by Colorado Housing Authorities. 57 ICSDC 2011

WORK EXPERIENCE IMPACTS ON CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STUDENTS' COGNITIONS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING

Constructors can significantly impact the sustainability of a construction project through the implementation of construction waste recycling programs (CWM). Prior research, however, has identified a lack of implementation of waste recycling programs due to general contractor’s unfamiliarity with and commitment to such practices. Educators are responding by incorporating principles of sustainability into undergraduate curricula. The results from this study, however, suggest that early work experiences may be counter to education efforts in this area. Senior construction management students who had two to three time the work experience of junior students were less willing to participate in CWM programs. Additionally, the senior students were more likely to have less favorable cognitions (i.e. value orientations, attitudes and norms) and behavior intentions toward construction waste recycling. These results are significant to an industry that is trying to become more sustainable and the educational institutions that are striving to provide environmentally literate graduates.