Green Building
Green Building & LEED Overview
What LEED is, who runs it, and the rating system structure.
What LEED Is
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Certification is administered by GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.).
LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, cost-saving green buildings. It's voluntary and points-based.
Certification Levels
Projects earn POINTS across credit categories; the total determines the level: • CERTIFIED — 40-49 points • SILVER — 50-59 points • GOLD — 60-79 points • PLATINUM — 80+ points
There are PREREQUISITES (required, earn no points) and CREDITS (optional, earn points). You must meet all prerequisites to be certified at any level.
The Triple Bottom Line
Sustainability balances the TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE: People, Planet, Profit (social, environmental, economic).
LEED also uses INTEGRATIVE DESIGN — bringing all stakeholders together early to optimize the building as a whole system, which is more effective and economical than addressing systems separately.
📖 Key Terms
- USGBC vs. GBCI
- USGBC develops LEED; GBCI administers certification and exams.
- Prerequisite
- A required measure that earns no points but must be met to certify.
- Credit
- An optional measure that earns points toward certification.
- Integrative design
- Engaging all stakeholders early to optimize the whole building system.
💡 Exam Tips
- ▸USGBC develops LEED; GBCI administers certification.
- ▸Levels: Certified 40-49, Silver 50-59, Gold 60-79, Platinum 80+.
- ▸Prerequisites are required and earn no points; credits earn points.
- ▸Triple bottom line = People, Planet, Profit.