A certification called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is so intensive that it even takes into account the distance traveled for supplies used on a building project.
Architect David Huboi explained that and other considerations toward becoming LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council – after he and others locally worked on a building that became the county’s first to gain the certification.
The Enza Zaden seed company at 525 Lucy Brown Lane in San Juan Bautista gained the certification after about two years pursuing it. Huboi and others who worked on the building learned about the achievement in late July, about a year after the building’s actual grand opening.
Enza Zaden is an international seed harvesting operation with strictly organic products. The building that is now LEED certified is about 10,000 square feet. Huboi explained that some of its primary green features include a pre-engineered metal frame with 92 percent recycled materials, solar panels, water retention bioswales and drought tolerant landscaping.
The LEED certification system involves main crediting categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor air quality, according to Huboi.
He said studies show that a 2 percent upfront investment can yield 10 times that in savings and he hopes Enza Zaden sets a precedent for other companies in the county.
“They’re really wonderful people to work with,” Huboi said. “When we mentioned it in earlier design meetings, they really jumped on it.”
He listed off the local contractors that worked on the project, including Marcus Building Systems, Kelley Engineering and Surveying and Anita Kane Landscape Architecture, while Santa Cruz-based Bright Green Strategies acted as the LEED consultant.
Ravena Huboi with Huboi Architecture handled much of the coordination to ensure the project met LEED guidelines and schedules.
“There are several different categories that you have to keep track of,” Ravena Huboi said. “Everybody takes part.”
