LEED
LEED is a voluntary program meant to objectively measure how sustainable a building is.
The LEED standards are maintained by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a nonprofit, non-governmental, membership-based organization. While participation in LEED is voluntary, the program owes some of its growth to municipal and state ordinances that have mandated it for public buildings and have offered incentives for private buildings.
LEED
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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LEED v4 Tips from Early Adopters: Earn High Ratings Without Added Costs
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You can avoid lower LEED v4 scores and keep costs in check. Here’s how—including the pitfalls you need to watch out for.
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The Great Eight: High-Impact Material Choices for Green Building
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We’re at a tipping point in insulation, flooring, textiles, and other product categories. Here’s what to spec and what to avoid.
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The Sound of Sustainability: Acoustics in High-Performance Design
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Acoustic performance is often overlooked by human-centered design. A holistic approach shows how to navigate the complexities of “sustainable acoustics.”
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Finding Products for LEED v4 and v4.1
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Finding and managing product information for LEED has changed—and v4.1 has added even more to think about.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Homes Get Their Own LEED
News Analysis
As it rolls out the LEED for Homes rating system, the U.S. Green Building Council is improving the program's certification infrastructure, while sticking with some controversial elements.
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Healthcare May Take LEED in New Directions
News Analysis
The draft of the LEED for Healthcare covers new ground for a LEED rating sytem, including requiring integrated design and offering a credit for avoiding certain chemicals. If approved by the members of the U.S. Green Building Council, these concepts may find their way into other LEED rating systems.
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Certifying Buildings En Masse
News Analysis
Property management giant CB Richard Ellis is following through on a major commitment to certify 100 buildings through LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance as a pilot participant in USGBC's volume certification program.
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Gut Rehab Home Goes Platinum
News Analysis
Architect Richard Renner designs the first gut rehab in the Northeast (and the second in the nation) to achieve a Platinum rating in the LEED for Homes rating system.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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The Sustainable Spec Language You Should Be Using
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Selecting the greenest products doesn’t do any good unless strong specifications support your choices. Here’s some language you can use.
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What’s up with LEED v5? Coffee Talk Follow-up and Recording
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Our guests reply to the Qs we didn’t get to during our July 26 event. Plus, here’s the recording if you missed it, and USGBC will host several v5 update sessions at Greenbuild.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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