Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Schools-2009 Acoustics Prerequisite and Credit - Evolution and Future Direction

In May 2008, the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released an updated acoustics prerequisite and credit for inclusion in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Schools 2009 Rating System. Guidance for the update was provided to the USGBC by the four acousticians in the Indoor Environmental Quality Technical Advisory Group, which focused on identification of key acoustical metrics and development of the credit for greater acceptance within the design and construction community. This paper discusses the process and challenges of balancing market factors, cost, and effective acoustical design for classrooms. The resulting prerequisite and credit are intended to be easily attainable within reasonable cost constraints for classrooms in all geographic regions of the United States. Future direction for classroom acoustics in green design, implications arising from poor classroom design, and the need for greater involvement of the acoustics community in credit development will also be discussed.