LEED is a new rival to BREEAM in evaluating the sustainability of industrial, office, hotel and residential buildings. Wojciech Brożyna from Aluprof UK discusses its benefits, and ways to meet the standard
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a building quality rating system that is used by investors in more than 160 countries around the world. It was created and developed in 1998 by the independent non-profit the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The purpose of introducing this system was to distinguish buildings in which the negative impact on the environment has been significantly reduced.
It is also an easy way to determine to what extent a given investment complies with the principles of sustainable construction and architecture. Importantly, LEED certification applies not only to new buildings but also to existing ones and those undergoing renovation. LEED certification is an industry-recognised certification, and is often a mandatory requirement set by future users of a building.
Certification is handled by the system operator, USGBC, and its partner GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc). Outside the US, the process of applying for LEED certification requires working with an accredited specialist, termed the ‘LEED AP’.
What is assessed in LEED certification?
LEED certification looks at several factors, including the location of the building, the materials and solutions used, or the water and energy savings achieved. The characteristics of the environment inside the building are also taken into account, including air quality and acoustics, as well as the impact of the building solutions used on the environment.
To obtain the certificate, you must start by registering on the LEED Online platform, and then submit the appropriate documentation and pay a certification fee. After completing the necessary formalities, GBCI will conduct a detailed review of the submitted documents. LEED is assessed according to six categories:
- building location and transportation
- sustainable and ecological grounds management
- water savings, energy savings, use of materials and raw materials, and the quality of the indoor environment.
Additionally, the use of innovative and unique solutions is taken into account, together with the fulfilment of special requirements defined by LEED as important for a particular region of the world. Some of the above-mentioned criteria are mandatory; a prerequisite for obtaining the certificate, while others are evaluated in the so-called credits or points.
These are added together to produce the final figure that dictates the level of the awarded certificate, which has four levels – Certified (40–49 points), Silver (50–59 points), Gold (60–79 points) and Platinum (80–110 points). The last of these represents the absolute highest class of eco-friendly buildings.
It is important to remember that LEED certification is awarded to the entire building, not to its individual components, such as windows and doors. According to the certification rules, it is the designer who defines the technical requirements for the components of the whole development, and this results in obtaining the number of points required to classify the building to a targeted LEED certificate level.
Benefits of LEED certification
LEED certification is, above all, an opportunity for investors to embrace. The decisions about the building, according to the assumptions of this system, directly influence its energy efficiency, and improves the profitability of the entire undertaking. In reality, it turns out that buildings with this certificate are more likely to be rented, and in turn tenants are more likely to agree to higher rents.
Statistics show that fees for using space in buildings with LEED certification may be even 17% higher. Similarly, in the case of resale, the price obtained for LEED certified buildings may be between 5% and 35% higher.
It’s also about the steadily increasing ecological awareness of entrepreneurs who rent office spaces. More and more of them are noticing that renting well-thought-out and sustainable workspaces has a positive influence on the wellbeing – and productivity – of employees. And these indicators are directly translated into better profits and an elevated overall position of the company. The overall financial benefits can be far greater than, for example, those associated with reduced energy consumption.
Therefore this certificate often has a positive impact on the image of the building, investor, owner and tenants. Its high level of recognition, status and associated environmental values can also be successfully used in marketing activities. Nowadays, information about a building’s compliance with sustainable architecture principles is the most important information for many.
In addition, LEED certification is increasingly becoming the most important factor in the decision to lease premises by potential tenants. Such a distinction confirms not only that the building meets the criteria taken into account by the entity issuing the certificate, but also indicates the overall quality of workmanship and durability of the entire building, as well as the use of environmentally friendly materials.
Let’s build a better future
The LEED certificate is only one of many different tools that show that the construction industry is pursuing sustainable development – after all, the environment and the future of the entire planet depend on it. Each subsequent building with this certificate is a small step towards improving the quality of life of inhabitants of the entire planet.
Wojciech Brożyna is managing director at Aluprof UK