What is LEED for Cities? May 22, 2017 LEED for buildings is well-known and widely recognized as the shape of sustainable architecture to come; more than 1.85 million square feet of new or refurbished structures are certified every single day. But what is LEED for cities, and how does it affect the future of building… more info
Category: LEED 101
LEED History
Looking Back: LEED History August 8, 2016 By Megan Rosa Sustainability Analyst Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) Buildings are responsible for enormous amounts of energy use and carbon dioxide emissions which calls for the demand of more sustainable working and living conditions. In this article, let’s take a look at LEED History and how it has… more info
LEED and Sustainable Landscaping
If you’ve made the decision to pursue LEED certification for a new or established building, you’re committed to an ongoing eco-conscious process. Sustainable landscaping is an essential component of LEED certification under the Sustainable Sites credit category. Sustainable Sites allows projects to earn points in how their landscape is sustainably designed and maintained from rainwater management, the… more info
World Green Building Week September 21-27, 2015
This year, countries from around the globe will recognize September 21-27 as World Green Building Week. It is a time to come together collectively to acknowledge the progress made towards, and to re-affirm the goals of, sustainability. LEED Certified Buildings use 25% less energy, cut operating costs by 19% and reduce average water usage by… more info
The Digital Age Streamlines Green Building Certification Processes
The two most popular green building certifications are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Globes. These programs give building owners, comprehensive green building standards, criteria for sustainable building design and energy efficient operations. Here is a comparison of the key features of both green building programs, as well as advice on how… more info
SIG’s Presence at Greenbuild 2013
Greenbuild 2013, held in Philadelphia, PA from November 20-22, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Green Building Council. Focusing on green buildings and sustainability, this international conference and expo brought in over 28,000 green building professionals, each with fresh ideas and a passion of environmental stewardship. This year, SIG sent four team members to… more info
LEED v4 Changes for New Construction
The U.S. Green Building Council is always trying to improve their LEED Green Building Program; to this end, they have come up with their latest version of the new construction criteria for LEED certification. The newest update of NC LEED v4 is set to be launched at the USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Philadelphia… more info
LEED v4 Changes for Existing Buildings: O+M Rating System
The U.S. Green Building Council is launching a new version of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating systems, more commonly called LEED. Among the many changes expected with the release of LEED v4, one can expect heightened requirements to improve energy performance. Below are a few areas in which these heightened requirements… more info
Indoor Environment Prerequisite: No Smoking within 25 Feet of Building
Tobacco smoke almost seems like a dead issue because its been banned from inside most buildings including bars and restaurants. However the problem of second-hand tobacco smoke infiltrating buildings through doors, windows, and outdoor air intakes persists because smokers typically don’t take but a few steps into fresh air before they light up. The LEED perspective takes the… more info
LEED 101: Audits
I never thought I’d be so comfortable with the word audit. Most people shudder and conjure nightmarish images of the IRS. In the LEED world audits are friendly and more akin to a ‘feedback process.’ I always recommend audits to my clients, not just for ‘easy’ LEED Points, but ideally to asses your current condition in order to… more info