Articles

LEED: the international rating system of superior performance

by Platinum Sdi Platinum SDI

Understanding LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is all about sustaining the environment through high performance green building design, construction and operation. It is an internationally recognized third party green building certification system created in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED addresses all building and space types through different rating systems and adaptations, and gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable effect on their buildings’ performance. By promoting a whole-building approach to sustainability, LEED recognizes performance in location and planning, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, waste reduction, indoor environmental quality, innovative strategies and attention to priority regional issues. LEED not only assess the project, it also offers guidance and multiple options to pursue project sustainability goals.

The LEED rating systems are made up of prerequisites and credits. Prerequisites are required elements or green building strategies that must be included in any LEED-certified project. Credits are optional elements that projects can pursue to gain points toward LEED certification.

What are the different LEED rating systems?

There are four LEED rating systems:

  1. LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C), which includes residential design and construction

  2. LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

  3. LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M), and

  4. LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND)


How does a project achieve certification?

The greenness of a LEED project is based on a 100-point scale with an additional 10 bonus points. Achieving LEED certification requires satisfying all prerequisites and earning a minimum number of credits. The levels of certification generally follow these thresholds:

  • Certified: 40–49 points

  • Silver: 50–59 points

  • Gold: 60–79 points

  • Platinum: 80+ points

What are LEED Certification Benefits?

With new technologies constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener built environment, the benefits of LEED certified projects in UAE buildings can range from environmental to economic to health and community.

Environmental Benefits

  • Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity

  • Improve air and water quality

  • Reduce sold waste

  • Conserve natural resources

Economic Benefits

  • Lower operating costs

  • Enhance asset value and profits

  • Improve employee/occupants productivity and satisfaction

  • Optimize life cycle economic performance

Health and Community Benefits

  • Improve air, thermal, lighting and acoustic environments

  • Enhance occupant health and comfort

  • Minimize strain on local infrastructure

  • Contribute to overall quality of life


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About Platinum Sdi Junior   Platinum SDI

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Joined APSense since, January 14th, 2018, From Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Created on Jun 19th 2018 01:21. Viewed 362 times.

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