The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.
- George Bernard Shaw

Many individuals have recently asked me “What is the first thing we need to do when considering working on a LEED project?” The first thing that I ask is what is your role? Are you the Owner, Developer, Architect, Engineer, Interior Designer, Contractor, Sub-Contractor, or Supplier? Each discipline plays a key role in any LEED project, whether it is new construction, renovation, core and shell, commercial interiors, existing building, homes or neighborhood development.

After a brief discussion with a fellow acquaintance the two of us realized how important it is to start with the basics. If you are going to work on a LEED project then you must know what LEED is. Invest in a Reference Guide that pertains to that specific LEED project. For example, if the project is going to use LEED-NC then go to the USGBC website and purchase a LEED-NC Reference Guide. While you are on the website why not have your company become a member so you can enjoy the benefits such as a reduced cost for the reference guide. Once you obtain the reference guide, read it thouroughly. Become familiar with what the process are, why certain things are required, what needs to be considered prior to design, during design, during construction, after construction and at occupancy. This will assist in starting your LEED project no matter what discipline your background is. This first item may appear to some as being very basic but to others they may not be aware there is even a reference guide to view. Make sure all the team members know there is a reference guide and what it is for.

The second item my acquaintance and I discussed was the fact communication is KEY to making any project especially a LEED project successful. Many individuals do not realize the importance of coordination and communication. All team members, including the draftsman, and on site foreman need to be involved. If the designer incorporates certain elements and the draftsperson does not properly draw these elements then the team could potentially spend additional time and money going back to implement simple LEED fundamentals, therefore delaying construction time. I recently talked with a general contractor and he did not clearly understand the documentation and coordination required during the construction process. It was interesting to me since I assumed that the design team would have discussed the importance of coordination and communication. During the conversation the two of us discussed what needed to be done and how do incorporate these items during the construction process. After we were finished he informed me that the process was not as “bad” as he had originally thought. Just a little more coordination needed to be had between him and his sub contractors.

These are two basic first steps when wanting to work on any LEED project. These two steps may appear to be elementary and fundamental and they are! It is just the matter of making sure this happens and continues to happen during the entire LEED project. If these two items are taken into consideration and implemented, then the LEED process should be smooth and not as “bad” as some perceive it to be. Ineffective communication can hinder the success rate of any project and needs to be improved on from all directions of the project team. Be sufficient and educate, coordinate and communicate.

Rachael Green, LEED AP, is a licensed interior designer with 13 years of design and construction experience, the last five of which have involved sustainable design. In addition to her role as LEED Services Director at Komatsu Architecture, she also serves on the Board as a Director for the USGBC North Texas Chapter. Rachael has also provided local training on the LEED rating system. For additional information regarding this article, please contact Rachael Green at rgreen@usgbcnorthtexas.org. All comments are the sole responsibility of the writer.