Another questionable practise of LEED certification comes from applications and uses of LEED Compliant and green materials. In our lab remodel the engineers and architects used the check list to spec out materials that met the LEED compliance but did not rationally consider usage of said matierals over long term. In specific countertops made of a recycled paper fiber product were used to meet LEED however in the applpication usage the manurfacture clearly says the product is not intended for the usage in an environment of high moisture, temperature extreams or external uses. So the use of this product to meet LEED over conventional P-Lams is rendered redundant and is now in need of replacement, but the project received its little LEED gold star at the time of completion. The lab now shoulders additional costs for replacement of the counter tops until resolution can be sought between those that speced out the LEED product in the first place (More costs in legal fees.

I am all for "green" buildings but I am also for functionality of those products used to make the building green. The LEED checklist need more thought and oversight.

I agree that functionality is a must for materials, but I don't see how the LEED standards are at fault here. Based on your description the engineers and architects were at fault here because they used the LEED checklist without considering functionality. If LEED certification was a must, they should have realized that the countertops were not an area to gain points (based on limited functionality of the material), and focused on other areas to "score" LEED points. It's ridiculous to assume that it should be up to the LEED checklist to point out limitations on certain materials. If you have an application that allows you to use recycled paper fiber countertops, great, you get a point toward LEED. If your application does not allow for that material, too bad...you have to find other ways to be green. Simple.

I think LEED misleads engineers and architects that to just meet the checklist they use recycled or green products and everything is hunky dory. I grant you that they should have put more thought into functionality but I have been on serveral projects both from the ground up, TI's and remodels and it was almost surprising how much stuff is spec'ed because it meets AIA and UBC standards without much cinsideration to functionality and usage. Perhaps it has become an industry standard to just cut and paste items because they are standard and meet minimal criteria.

Sorry that you had a bad experience. I agree that functionality is a key concern for all projects, green or conventional.

I'd blame the spec writers and design team here. It is senseless to spec products and ignore functionality and maintenance issues. Just because a product is helpful for earning LEED points doesn't mean that it is appropriate or useful. I do LEED consulting work, and I recommend that functionality and maintenance be top concerns in selecting materials-- not just the LEED compliance. At the same time, I also have substantial commercial real estate experience, so I know that multiple factors must be considered.

The LEED checklist must be administered with common sense, that is for sure.