Abstract of Thesis Presented to the Graduate School
 of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the
 Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Building Construction

 USING HARD COST DATA ON RESOURCE CONSUMPTION TO MEASURE
 GREEN BUILDING PERFORMANCE

 By

 Eric Meister

 May 2005

Chair: Charles Kibert
Major Department: Building Construction

 In the rapidly expanding built environment, designers, owners, and constructors

alike are making strides to conserve natural elements and to plan with sustainable intent.

Although efforts are increasing at an exponential rate, the overall thrust of sustainable

design is still in its infancy. As with any innovative movement, sustainable design has

many skeptics. Many developers require considerable justification before they are willing

to spend between 2 and 5 percent in additional construction costs. The goal of those

involved with sustainable ideals is to develop designs and structures that do the

convincing by themselves, through ground-breaking increases in building efficiency and

overall effectiveness.

 This study evaluated one such effort at M.E. Rinker Sr. Hall on the University of

Florida(UF) campus. Although numerous initiatives were carried out to earn a Leadership

in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) "Gold" Certification, this study will

examine the steps taken to reduce resource consumption limited to chilled water, potable