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During my time as a museum director, I came into regular contact with the US Army Corps of Engineers through the agency’s efforts to explore archaeological sites and promote historic preservation in the Ohio Valley. The group’s Sustainable Project Rating Tool (SPiRiT) moves this interest in long-term development and preservation into the future, providing a set of clear guidelines and self-assessments for construction projects undertaken by the US Army and others.
Based on the Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System 2.0 (LEED 2.0) and “tailored to Army-specific needs,” the tool came into widespread use in 2003, after which the Corps began to raise the minimum sustainability standard needed for new projects. The evaluation program seeks to protect the environment during construction and develop models of management that will incorporate sustainable practices into day-to-day operations while improving facility efficiency in areas such as water management and workplace safety. By incorporating the SPiRiT model into all aspects of design and construction, the tool facilitates ongoing examination and review while not significantly increasing project costs. For the sake of transparency and to make the standards available for other designers, the agency has made SPiRiT available as a free download.
. Historian Shae Davidson's research interests include public policy and the relationship between culture and civil society. His publications range from articles on industrial history to absurdist poetry.
