RESEARCH GUIDE: LEED
What is LEED?
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program that recognizes sustainable design and construction. The program is run by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
This article from Green Building Elements provides a concise overview of what LEED is and how projects earn LEED certification.
What types of projects can be certified under LEED?
There are several different LEED rating systems for different types of projects.
Building Design + Construction (BD+C) applies to commercial buildings of at least 1,000 square feet that are being newly constructed or undergoing a major renovation.
Interior Design + Construction (ID+C) applies to commercial projects of at least 250 square feet that are complete interior fit-outs.
Building Operations + Maintenance (O+M) applies to existing commercial buildings of at least 1,000 square feet undergoing improvement or minor renovations.
Homes applies to new single-family homes and multi-family housing of up to six stories that are defined as “dwelling units” by all applicable codes.
Neighborhood Development(ND) applies to new development or redevelopment projects, which can be commercial, residential, or mixed-use, that include at least 2 habitable buildings and are no larger than 1,500 acres.
How do projects achieve certification?
A project must meet all the LEED Prerequisites to achieve certification. For LEED v4, a building must be in a permanent location on existing land, must use reasonable boundaries to evaluate the project, and must meet the size requirements for the appropriate LEED rating system.
Each LEED rating system is made up of credit categories such as water efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable sites. A project can earn LEED credits in each category, and the total number of credits earned determines the level of certification.
A project must earn a minimum number of credits to be LEED Certified at all, and additional credits will earn the project a LEED Silver, LEED Gold, or LEED Platinum Certification.
Learn more about the LEED Certification Process.
How does a project earn LEED credits?
There are nine categories in which a project can earn LEED credits.
- Integrative Process credits are awarded for cross-discipline collaboration in the design process.
- Location & Transportation credits are awarded for access to transit, sensitive land protection, surrounding density, bicycle facilities, reduced parking, and other issues related to site selection and transportation.
- Materials & Resources credits are awarded for reducing waste and using materials that have published life cycle assessments and environmental product declarations.
- Water Efficiency credits are awarded for reducing use and increasing reuse of water, inside the building as well as in the outdoor landscaping.
- Energy & Atmosphere credits are awarded for energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
- Sustainable Sites credits are awarded for protecting natural habitat, keeping open spaces, dealing with rainwater, and reducing light pollution and heat island effects.
- Indoor Environment credits are awarded for using building materials and products without harmful chemicals, and for providing access to fresh air, natural light and views of the outdoors.
- Innovation credits are awarded for innovations in green building, either by using a strategy not included in LEED or by achieving exemplary performance with an existing LEED strategy.
- Regional Priority credits are awarded for projects that meet existing prerequisites or credits in the rating system that have been selected by USGBC Chapters and Regions as especially important in their area.
You can find all of the available LEED credits on the USGBC website. Select the appropriate rating system at the top of the page, and then search for a particular credit or browse the list by category.
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Architectural Record
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AIA COTE Top Ten | Committee on the Environment | American Institute of Architects
Presents case studies, including photographs and plans, highlight award-winning sustainable projects in all sectors
Buildings Database | U.S. Department of Energy
Provides case studies of high-performance, green building projects across the United States and around the world, including everything from small single-family homes to large commercial and institutional buildings
Case Studies and High Performance Building Database | Whole Building Design Guide
Provides case studies of a wide range of new construction and renovation projects, ranging from single-family homes to large commercial and institutional buildings
LEED Case Studies | Harvard Energy & Facilities
Provides case studies of the nearly 100 LEED Certified buildings on the Harvard University campus, including office and classroom buildings, research laboratories, student residence halls, student centers, and more
In the Library
Environmental Building News
This monthly publication covers the latest products, materials, methods, and regulations for sustainable construction, with diagrams and illustrations throughout
Green Building Illustrated
by Francis D.K. Ching and Ian M. Shapiro
Explores and illustrates green buildings methods and materials, including passive design, energy efficiency, heating and cooling systems, water use, and more
The Green Studio Handbook : Environmental Strategies for Schematic Design
by Alison G. Kwok and Walter T. Grondzik
Reviews sustainable strategies for commercial building envelopes, lighting, heating, cooling, energy, water and waste
Journal of Green Building
Features case studies, research articles, and the latest news about sustainable methods and materials
Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers
by Lisa M. Tucker
Considers building systems and construction methods and materials from a sustainable perspective, with case studies
Sustainable Commercial Interiors
by Penny Bonda and Katie Sosnowchik
Considers all areas of sustainable design for commercial interiors, including water, energy, materials, indoor environmental quality, ratings and certifications, and making the business case for going green
Sustainable Design for Interior Environments
by Susan M. Winchip
Covers building components, finishes and furnishings, indoor environmental quality, and lighting for commercial and residential interiors
Sustainable Renovation : Strategies for Commercial Building Systems and Envelope
by Lisa Gelfand and Chris Duncan
Examines strategies for improving the performance of commercial and institutional buildings
Sustainable Residential Interiors
by Kari Foster, Annette Stelmack, and Debbie Hindman
Covers materials, building systems, finishes, and furnishings
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Advanced Energy Design Guides | IES - Illuminating Engineering Society
Free design guides for education, healthcare, hospitality, office, and retail buildings, with information about daylighting, energy conservation, and other strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Requires free registration
Daylighting | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains daylighting and how to incorporate it into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Energy Efficient Lighting | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains different types of energy efficient light fixtures and how to incorporate them into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) | Whole Building Design Guide
Reviews the factors that affect IEQ and design strategies for improving it, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Environmental Building News
Covers the latest products, materials, methods, and regulations for sustainable construction, complete with diagrams and illustrations
Passive Solar Building Design Basics | Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy
Explains passive heating and cooling systems and how to design passive buildings
Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance | Whole Building Design Guide
Details strategies for improving the sustainability and energy efficiency of existing buildings
Water Conservation | Whole Building Design Guide
Highlights design strategies for conserving water, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Windows and Glazing | Whole Building Design Guide
Discusses energy-efficient design strategies for windows and glazing, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
In the Library
Environmental Building News
This monthly publication covers the latest products, materials, methods, and regulations for sustainable construction, with diagrams and illustrations throughout
Green Building Materials : A Guide to Product Selection and Specification
by Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows
Covers labels, standards, certifications, selection and specification of materials
Interior Design Magazine
New products are featured throughout each issue, and Spring and Fall Market Tabloids focus exclusively on products and materials for interiors
Interiors & Sources
Focuses on commercial products, materials and projects
Journal of Green Building
Features the latest news about sustainable methods and materials
Snap : Sweets News and Products
Focuses on products and building materials for commercial and residential projects
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ASID Interior Design Product Finder
Features products for commercial and residential projects, with the option to search vendors by location
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute : Find Certified Products
Search for products and materials that are Cradle to Cradle Certified
Energy Star Certified Products
Search for products and appliances that are Energy Star Certified, including products for both commercial and residential applications
Evaluating and Selecting Green Products | Whole Building Design Guide
Describes the process of and tools for selecting green building materials and products, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Green Building Standards and Certification Systems | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains different green product certifications, including Energy Star, WaterSense, Forest Stewardship Council, SCS Global Services, Green Seal, Cradle to Cradle, Greenguard, and more
How to Read an EPD: 7 Tips from the Field (Video) | BuildingGreen
In this 8-minute video, Arup engineer Frances Yang explains how to get what you need from environmental product declarations (EPDs)
Materials & Resources | BuildingGreen
Choosing building materials means balancing impacts from manufacturing with transportation and end-of-life considerations, as well as durability and performance.
Pilkington Calculators
Provides online tools can help you choose the best glass products for your project, including a Sun Management Calculator and a Thermal Stress Calculator
Product and Building Materials Red List | Green Building Alliance
Provides a list of chemicals and materials known to harm human health, and provides alternatives to those materials
Products | EcoBuilding Pulse Magazine
Features green products and materials for commercial and residential projects
Sustainable Furniture Specification Guide
Details items to consider when selecting furniture, including VOC levels, recycled or salvaged content, recyclability, supply chain and manufacturing process, certifications and ratings, cost, and more
WaterSense Labeled Products | US EPA
Search for products with the WaterSense label
USGBC offers three levels of recognition for green building professionals
- Earn a LEED Green Associate (GA) credential by passing the LEED GA exam, which covers green building principles and practices as well as LEED. USGBC offers a discounted exam fee for students. To maintain your credential, you will need to fulfill on-going continuing education requirement.
- Earn a LEED AP with a specialty credential by passing the LEED AP exam for a particular LEED rating system (BD+C, ID+C, O+M, Homes, or ND). Although LEED project experience, it is strongly recommended. To maintain your credential, you will need to fulfill on-going continuing education requirement.
- The LEED Fellow designation recognizes exceptional green building professionals. To be eligible for nomination, professionals must have at least 10 years of green building experience, at least 8 years holding a LEED Professional credential, and currently hold LEED AP specialty credential in good standing.
In the Library
Guide to the LEED AP Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) Exam
by Michelle Cottrell
Explains sustainable design and construction concepts in detail and provides drawings, charts, diagrams, sample test questions, and other study aids
LEED GA Mock Exams (LEED v4) : Questions, Answers, and Explanations : A Must-Have for the LEED Green Associate Exam, Green Building LEED Certification, and Sustainability
by Gang Chen
Includes 200 questions similar to the LEED GA Exam in scope, difficulty level, format, and subject coverage, with answers and explanations
USGBC LEED Green Associate Study Guide
Covers the main points of sustainable design, construction and operations, with worksheets, practice questions and other study aids
Online
How do I become a LEED Green Associate? (video) | U.S. Green Building Council
This 1-minute video explains the basics of earning a LEED GA credential
How do I become a LEED AP? [video] | U.S. Green Building Council
This 1.5-minute video explains the basics of earning a LEED AP credential
Prepare for Your LEED Green Associate Exam | U.S. Green Building Council
Outlines what you will need to know to pass the LEED GA Exam and lists references to consult for further information on the exam and the subjects covered
LEED Credentials: Preparing for the Exam | U.S. Green Building Council
Free exam resources and study materials for all LEED credential exams, provided by USGBC
CMP Guide | Credential Maintenance Program | U.S. Green Building Council
Provides detailed information about the continuing education required to maintain a LEED credential
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“Andover Classrooms” case study. Harvard Energy & Facilities. http://www.energyandfacilities.harvard.edu/andover-classrooms-hds.
Cite It Where You Use It
Every time you use a quotation, a piece of information, or an image from another source, cite the source right where you use it, whether it’s on your project board or in your paper, job book or presentation.
Include enough information to allow your audience to figure out which source (from your complete list at the end) you’re citing. For example, if you use the case study in the example above, the citation on your board or presentation slide might be “Andover Classrooms”.
Check out this tutorial on Citing Sources Informally for more guidelines and examples to informally cite every source you use - whether it’s a book, magazine, website, blog or video - and avoid plagiarism.
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