LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is the top worldwide “green” building system rating. When you’re working on a new construction project in Indiana, getting LEED certification means that your building is recognized as having an innovative, environmentally-friendly design, is more profitable than traditional buildings and tends to be healthier for anyone living within or using the building.
Just about any building can be LEED certified, whether it’s a school, commercial building, residential high-rise or industrial facility. When you design and build a LEED-certified building, you’re committing to a project that will use energy and water efficiently and has less of an impact on the environment overall.
LEED certification in construction is designed to give Indiana builders an objective metric with which to design buildings. This whole-building approach allows flexibility in how these environmentally-friendly objectives are achieved.
How LEED certification is issued
The U.S. Green Building Council is the organization that issues LEED building certification here. Each project can rack up points in five separate categories. Projects that receive 40 to 49 points are considered Certified, 50 to 59 is Silver, 60-79 is Gold and 80 points or above is LEED Platinum status.
The categories include sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, water usage, indoor environmental quality and materials and resources. Each project can also earn up to six possible points in innovation and design, and up to four points in a regional priority category. There are 100 total points available.
The Green Building Certification Institute is the third-party organization that helps inspect and evaluate project design, then determines whether it has met the criteria to be LEED certified. Contractors, architects and other project managers can obtain the criteria for LEED certification so they can tailor their approach accordingly. There are also a number of workshops led by the U.S. Green Building Council, including online workshops and webinars.
Benefits of LEED certification
LEED certification is intended to recognize buildings that are operating as designed, with a positive impact on the environment around them, both globally and in their immediate region. This third-party verification is not only a badge of honor, but also helps owners manage their properties.
Of course, the biggest benefit of LEED-certified new construction in Indiana is the fact that these buildings are integrated into the environment so as to have the least amount of impact possible. They’re also cheaper to operate (with lower water and utility costs), contribute to the health of the people using them and have much higher lease rates than non-LEED-certified projects. Maintenance also tends to be cheaper and easier than traditional building types. Overall, their smart design and relatively low impact make them attractive options for buyers and renters alike.
Are you interested in starting LEED-certified new construction in Indiana? ACMS Group can help. Our team is comprised of project managers, self-performing general contractors and other construction professionals who can guide you through the process of designing and building your own LEED-certified building. Let our construction and engineering expertise benefit you when you call today.