The U.S. Green Building Council is in the process of revising its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programs. Among the comments submitted by the Portland Cement Association, prior to the January 14 deadline, were those addressing functional resilience.
Functional resilience incorporates many aspects of building design and construction, and while a very broad concept, designs that include provisions for functional resilience will tend to be more durable, robust, disaster resistant, have longer life expectancies, and be more readily adapted for reuse and even re-purposing.
The additional benefits beyond extending the useful life of the building are less energy and resources required for repair, removal, disposal, and replacement of materials due to routine maintenance or after disasters. Also, more functionally resilient buildings will demand less community resources for emergency response, relief, and recovery—in addition to providing longer-lasting quality buildings that will support continuity of residency and business operations. PCA will continue to identify activities to promote the concepts of functional resilience and have functional resilience accepted in building codes, referenced standards, and related sustainability programs.
