The LEED ratings system widely
used set of standards for evaluating sustainable,
environmentally responsible facility design
and construction.
LEED, which is an acronym for Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design, was developed
by the United States Green Building Council
(USGBC) for the design of high-performance,
sustainable buildings and interiors.
There are four different types or classifications
of LEED standards:
- LEED - NC : for new construction and major
renovation projects
- LEED - EB : for existing building operations
and maintenance
- LEED - CI : for commercial interior projects
- LEED - CS : for *core and shell projects
*"core and shell" refers to
basic building parts, such as the structure
and foundations, the mechanical or HVAC
systems, or the building exterior
The LEED Building Rating System is organized
into several categories:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation in Design
The Rating System is based on a Project Checklist
containing 69 items, each worth one point.
There are four certification categories: Certified,
Silver, Gold, and Platinum. A minimum of 26
points plus documentation is required to achieve
the Certified rating, 33 points for Silver,
39 points for Gold, and 52 points for Platinum.
The first five rating categories contain specific checklists of specific activities, some required for certification and others optional. Many items contain a minimum threshold for qualification, such as 30% reduction in water use or 75% re-use of the existing building shell. The last category, Innovation in Design, awards points for exceptional performance above the requirements in the first five categories, and/or innovative performance in green building categories not specifically addressed by LEED.
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