LEED certification stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
It is a project certification system, the most recognized internationally, created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in the design, construction, and operation of buildings.
This certification was developed in 1993 and contains a set of standards and requirements; in addition, you must achieve a minimum score through the credits specified in the LEED reference guide.
Therefore, by complying with the above, projects or buildings can be certified as sustainable.
In its beginnings, LEED was only developed in the United States and gradually spread to other countries, until today, where LEED certification is very common and increasingly sought after in the construction sector.
What is the goal of LEED certification?
The goal of LEED Certification is to bring eco-efficiency standards to the construction industry, from water use, natural light, energy, and the selection of sustainable materials, to offer a better quality of life to the inhabitants.
Sustainable buildings help people, communities, and cities to live safely, healthily, and sustainably, so construction efforts must increasingly focus not only on efficiency in construction and optimal material selection, but also on improving the quality of life for residents.
How can office design increase productivity?
Architects have long insisted that design can have an impact far beyond the visual or functional level; several studies now support the view that certain features in an office can have a truly positive or negative impact on people and consequently affect productivity levels.
Therefore, sustainability and energy efficiency are currently a priority, and it has been proven that by improving access to natural lighting, employee performance increases, resulting in greater efficiency, less turnover, and happier employees.
Types of LEED certification
There are different LEED certifications:
For new construction, LEED NC/LEED: designed for new construction from commercial buildings, skyscrapers, offices, residential buildings, museums, churches, manufacturing plants, among others.
Existing buildings, LEED EB/ LEED: This certification focuses on the proper functioning of an existing building, both in terms of cleanliness and exterior or internal maintenance.
For residential development, LEED For Homes seeks to bring sustainable design to neighborhoods and communities, which must meet high environmental protection standards to be certified.
LEED SC; LEED for schools, where design principles are integrated for the construction of educational entities.
Under LEED certification, operating costs are lower , while the property value increases . In turn, LEED reduces the emission of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
Source: https://econova-institute.com/
