LEED App Store Coming Soon – What's on Your Wish-List?

Automation Session at Greenbuild Shows Potential

There's a live video now from the LEED Automation session at Greenbuild, at which various Automation partners described their tools. A lot of the focus is on LEED Project Management tools (LoraxPro and GreenGrade; the latter incorporates LEEDuser content), but automated data uploading tools were on display as well. The presentation on COMNET's tool to automate data from an energy model was especially compelling. 

But all were trumped by USGBC Research Director Chris Pyke, who is almost Steve Jobs-like in his energy when describing GBIG. A friend sitting next to me quipped: "I've never seen anyone make a simply search box sound so sexy!"

Re: LEED App Store Wish List

Since it's the season for wish-lists and wistful dreams, here's a start:

1. LEED Location App:
Thinking beyond the proposed LoraxPro functions to other site credits: Enter the project location -- address or GPS coordinates -- and a "LEED Location App" would use Google maps, GIS info and other public domain databases to calculate your compliance with multiple site credits: development density, public transit access, site selection criteria (wetlands, floodplain etc), zoning/ parking/ open space requirements as well as list your regional priority credits and selected cities w/in 500 miles.
If sufficient data is available, the credits could be automatically documented, or you could provide supplemental narratives or additional data to verify compliance.
The Location tool could also provide climate and other site information useful for early design guidance; solar geometry, solar obstructions, seasonal design temps and typical ranges, wind roses, precipitation quantities and patterns, design storm events, etc.
While we're dreaming big, how about pre-development conditions, lists of native and adaptive species, ecosystem services, district utility resources, other known community or industrial resources...

2. LEED Spec App:
The construction industry organizes all information -- products, materials, trades, building systems -- with a standardized numbering system (CSI MasterFormat in the US and Canada) and the specifications are often written using a database such as SpecLink, e-SPECS, or SPECTEXT. Since the CSI GreenFormat Directory is already collecting product data for showing LEED compliance, and with the new GreenSpec/ Pharos partnership, it would be great to integrate such tools so that a project team could upload their specifications directly and have the data from each relevant section sent to the appropriate credit forms. Even better would be to have spec language that's known to comply with LEED credits available, and a "Spec Review" function that could do a cursory scan of the specifications and flag sections missing key LEED requirements.
This could also help "convert" a LEED scorecard into a set of requirements and instructions organized by CSI numbers that would be more useful and understandable by different trades, suppliers, and contractors.

3. LEED Construction Manager App:
A mobile app for construction managers to use in the field to verify materials, products, and methods by linking back to the project specifications and credit forms. Using a barcode scanner, a manager could scan key products to check if they meet the specifications, and possibly log them in the material quantity lists. Using a barcode scanner or camera they could also document waste management steps taken or IAQIndoor air quality: The quality and attributes of indoor air affecting the health and comfort building occupants. IAQ encompasses available fresh air, contaminant levels, acoustics and noise levels, lighting quality, and other factors. methods implemented that get uploaded as supporting documentation to the relevant credits.

4. LEED Commissioning App:
A commissioning plan, linked to the specifications, could generate checklists and forms in a mobile device for on-site commissioning activities. Completed forms would then be uploaded directly and show progress and remaining items in the Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. plan. A camera or barcode scanner could provide additional site documentation or look-up of product information.