LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; a Green Building Rating System that is internationally recognized as a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED is a sustainable building design standard developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and managed by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
LEED is a third-party program that encourages and promotes global awareness through the adoption of sustainable green building and development practices by creating and implementing accepted tools and performance standards. The program measures the performance of a building through five key design areas; sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environment quality.
The LEED rating system offers four levels of certification – Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum for new building construction, major renovations projects, interior redesigning projects and building operations for existing buildings. Ratings are awarded based on the number of credits accrued in the five green design categories mentioned above.
LEED V3 2009 is the latest version used for rating and it is currently the premier green building standard in the world.
Why LEED?
Having a LEED rating adds to your credibility as an environmentally-aware organization of a well-maintained building which promotes the construction and maintenance of eco-friendly structures. LEED also places a building as a top-notch piece of prime real-estate especially in first world countries where sustainability is valued and clients are more willing to pay a premium price for the lease or sale for a LEED certified property.
There are many different types of LEED certifications which include new commercial buildings, homes, hospitals, retail, neighborhood development projects, schools and even industrial buildings. The LEED certification carries with it a standard that the building project meets very high performance benchmarks. Having a LEED plaque in place is proof that a building has fulfilled its environmental responsibilities, profitable, and provides a healthy place to live and work.
LEEDs’ third-party commissioning is a rigorous process which provides further evidence that the building has achieved its social environmental goals and is performing as designed. Many young talented executives are aware of the benefits of working in a green building and are attracted to the prospect of being part of an organization that is socially aware of their environmental responsibilities. This places your building in high regard amongst the public.
How do I obtain a LEED certification?
Blue Snow Consulting & Engineering Sdn Bhd follows stringent design guidelines which correspond to the requirements of LEED. As part of our services, we will register your project with GBCI, monitor the design and construction process and document the achievement of milestones connected with the required LEED standard.
Once the project is complete, Blue Snow will apply for the LEED certification which will enable you to be part of a fraternity of high performance eco-friendly buildings designed with savings and the environment in mind.
