Boblawbob

Having dealt with LEED building design now for sometime, the chances of this building getting gold are remote. According to my inquiries, this building is not yet LEED pre-certified, nor does it appear to have been even registered with LEED before LEED changed the rules for getting even the minimum certified level. LEED now dictates that all buildings achieve 2 LEED energy credits, period. Most, if not all, normal high rise buildings in the southern climates achieve 0 LEED credits, and to achieve 2 in Houston's climate means that the see-through glass like Discovery Tower's is in no way, shape, or form going to allow them to achieve 2 credits. Sunshades don't help either. This climate, to achieve 2 credits as required, requires without question either far less vision glass (good bye floor to ceiling glass) or really high-mirrored glass (hello 80's glass facade) that blocks tons of light. I love the glass and look they have on this building, and it looks pretty sweet with that lobby...but I am afraid that they will have to switch the glass if and when their LEED consultant, who should have told them to register the building before the rules changed last year, wakes up and realizes their massive mistake. Good bye transparent tower, and hello mirrored 80's facade. The LEED rule changes are going to dramatically alter the way buildings are designed here in Houston if they are to be LEED certified, and most people do not yet understand the implications of the massive shift in the LEED credit rules.