Learning from Practice: Introduction to Case Studies

Since we are all learning when and how HPDs can be used in projects, case studies of teams that have incorporated HPDs and/or other disclosure and transparency tools in their projects suggest strategies and lessons learned during the process. Brief introductions to these case studies follow, and more complete write-ups of these and other case studies can be found at website http://www.hpd-collaborative.org/case-studies/. 

• Brock Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, SmithGroupJJR. This project established goals for materials that included disclosure of chemicals (preferably through HPDs); avoidance of materials that contained Living Building Challenge Red List chemicals; use of locally sourced, salvaged, and reclaimed materials; and use of FSC wood. All project stakeholders were involved early and a process was established to support these goals; the process is illustrated below.

• Vandusen Botanical Garden Visitor Center, Vandusen Botanical Garden, Perkins+Will. This project established goals for materials that included avoidance of Living Building Challenge Red List chemicals; use of locally sourced, reclaimed, and salvaged materials; and use of FSC wood as a primary material. The team found that one of the best strategies was to use simple materials with simple origins and ingredient lists; limiting the number of materials was also useful. Despite extensive research that began early in the process, the team found that many products had small, unforeseen components that contained Red List chemicals. 
• The Durst Organization, with Vidaris, Inc. and Healthy Building Network. A 2012 company policy contained goals that included product transparency data to inform product selections, along with occupant and ecological health. They realized that integration of product transparency into the process required a new mix of expertise, so the project team was expanded to include an industrial hygienist and materials health experts as well as sustainability and green building consultants. They developed a set of “focus material” types with highest potential health or environmental impacts and conducted an analysis of each. They found that trade-offs are inevitable and it’s rare for a product or type to be best on all criteria. More analysis into the factors behind the data and use of additional product screens were needed. 
• Industrial Louvers, Inc., a manufacturer’s perspective. Creating an HPD is challenging. This manufacturer describes the challenges and how her company overcame them, with cooperation from an engaged supplier. Her company’s HPD story will give project teams insight into what manufacturers have to do to create HPDs, why it can be difficult, and some keys to success.

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