leed project case study

LEED Lookbook

LEED buildings have always been at the forefront of the movement to create sustainable, high-performing and healthy spaces. Download the PDF or explore the projects below, featured in LEED Lookbook —a celebration of how LEED green building certification has transformed the global landscape of buildings and spaces over the last 20 years.

• Climate warrior
• Residential
• Sports, stadiums, convention centers

Petinelli Curitiba

Method Soap Factory (People Against Dirty)

Condominio Comercial Eurobusiness

Colgate-Palmolive Burlington Site

CBF Phillip Merrill Environmental Center

Kandalama Hotel

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (Pragati Maidan Metro Station)

United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Headquarters

Washington, District of Columbia

Can Cauliques Vell

Sede Centrale at Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia

Antiguo Palacio

DEWA Solar Innovation Centre

Empire State Building

Hotel Verde

Istanbul Airport

JR Kanda Manseibashi Building

Museu do Amanhã

The Stock Exchange of Thailand

Willis Tower

Lilla Bommen Gothenburg

MODEL Hunters Point Pearl Homes and Marina

The Crystal

Vancouver Convention Centre

Nationals Stadium

Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility

Olympic House

Shanghai Tower

Ping An Finance Center

Lotte World Tower

One World Trade Center

Visit the  LEED project directory to explore all non-confidential LEED certified projects.

12 LEED Examples in the US

By Jessica Powers December 14, 2021

Miami Beach Convention Center. Photo by Tom Clark

Story at a glance:

• The demand for LEED buildings is increasing, according to the US Green Building Adoption Index.
• These 12 LEED projects range from education centers and homes to nature centers and office buildings.
• Universities like Yale have committed to achieve carbon neutrality by or before 2050.

LEED-certified buildings are on the rise and making our cities greener, according to the 2019 US Green Building Adoption Index by CBRE. “The 2019 Green Building Adoption Index shows that 4,879 or 13.8% of all commercial office buildings across the 30 largest U.S. office markets are green certified—the highest total in the index’s history. Measured in square footage, 42.2% of total space across the top 30 office markets is green certified, up from 41.9% last year,” CBRE said.

Architects and designers hoping to achieve LEED certification can look to a variety of projects for inspiration. As the need for LEED-certified building projects increases, it’s important to consider the surrounding built environment.

“ LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership,” according to the USGBC.

From earning points for using sustainable wood and Energy Star appliances to improving projects with solar panels and natural lighting, a variety of design strategies can help architects earn LEED in both commercial and residential projects. These are just a few projects offering inspiration.

1. ​​Arizona State University’s Interdisciplinary Science and Technology 7 Building, Tempe, AZ

ASU’s Interdisciplinary Science & Technology building 7 (ISTB-7) achieved impressive sustainability goals with the help of GCP Applied Technologies and others.  Photo courtesy of Architekton | Grimshaw

Arizona State University (ASU)’s Interdisciplinary Science and Technology 7 building is just one of the university’s many LEED-certified buildings, but it is one of the most progressive.

As with many big projects, the design team at ASU had the challenge of choosing material responsibly. With cement as a choice material, architects Architekton & Grimshaw, engineers Buro Happold, and McCarthy Building Companies wanted to find a way to use cement to offset the building’s embodied carbon. The team set out to utilize a post-consumer byproduct to reduce the total amount of Portland cement in the building structure by at least 40%. In addition to the sustainability requirements, the concrete for this project needed to be aesthetically pleasing since it would be used in Class A architecturally exposed columns, walls, stairs, deck soffits, and polished concrete floors.

After much collaboration with McCarthy Building Companies and admixture supplier GCP Applied Technologies, Hanson Aggregates used fly ash alongside WRDA 64® water reducer with ADVA® 195 superplasticizer from GCP Applied Technologies . Once they selected a mix the team started batch trials to ensure it performed as structurally intended.

2.  Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL

The context-driven design of the Miami Beach Convention Center reflects the natural elements of Miami’s acclaimed beaches, including waves, manta rays, and coral reefs. Photo by Robin Hill

The redesigned Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is a top-tier example of a community event space committed to sustainability. The project achieved LEED Silver certification from the USGBC in 2020.

The MBCC’s design was part of the City of Miami Beach’s vision to reposition the center as one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the US. One of the main focuses of the project was to stay up-to-date with FEMA code as part of a resiliency plan to safeguard against future hurricanes and flooding.

Fentress Architects collaborated with Arquitectonica on the context-driven design to incorporate natural elements. Part of this process included the design team adding 12 acres of greenspace, preserving more than 100 existing trees, and adding more than 1,300 new trees. As a result, the design increases the previous acreage of the 25-acre campus by 245% and significantly reduces heat island effect.

3. Yale Science Center, New Haven, CT

The Yale Science Building features high-performance air distribution and heat recovery. Photo by Paul Coco

In 2010 Yale University began requiring that all renovations and new buildings meet LEED Gold status. This university-wide plan showcases the potential for not just one LEED-certified project within a built ecosystem, but many, with consideration for renovations and rebuilds.

The Yale Science Building opened in 2019 with an energy use intensity target of 200 KBTU—half of what comparable lab spaces on-campus consume. The Yale Science Building was designed to meet LEED Gold, with features like high performance air distribution, heat recovery, and lighting systems. The project also has a rooftop greenhouse.

Yale is committed to ensuring its infrastructure is good for the environment as well as the student body. ​​“IAQ is crucial to the health and well-being of building occupants. Our standards ensure the use of materials with low VOCs, nontoxic materials, healthy furniture, and appropriate air changes and filtration,” Ginger Chapman, director of the office of sustainability at Yale, previously told  gb&d. 

4. Administrative Office Building, Duarte, CA

Walter P Moore and Gensler designed the City of Hope administrative office building in California. Photo by Benny Chan, Fotoworks

Walter P Moore completed an administrative office building for The City of Hope in the spring of 2020. City of Hope in Duarte, California is a comprehensive cancer center focusing on advancing research and treatment protocols.

Walter P Moore provided structural and enclosure engineering for the project as well as a Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment , contributing to a structure that has been designated LEED Gold v4. The design firm said, “We found that importing superior aggregate from British Columbia and using supplemental cementitious materials to replace a portion of the Portland Cement the team was able to maintain construction schedule but reduce the embodied carbon of the structure by over 2.8 million pounds of CO2e.”

LEED-certified projects like this office building will ensure high performance as well as thoughtful features like exterior walkways, cascading stairs, less insulation, solar panels, and a steel/mesh sunshade.

5. AstraZeneca West Coast Center, San Francisco, CA

AstraZeneca and HOK put a focus on the way people will inhabit the West Coast Center. Photo by David Wakely

HOK designed AstraZeneca’s 100,000-square-foot West Coast Center to consolidate four divisions of the company into a single facility. The project features energy-efficient, LEED Platinum–certified interiors that prioritize employee connectedness and comfort, with an added emphasis on daylighting. A majority of the work spaces offer ample natural lighting.

In terms of energy reduction, the design cut out unnecessary lab equipment, improved the core and shell, and reduced the site’s mechanical system capacity. The team paid great attention to the center’s plug load as well, Erin Ezell, an HOK senior sustainable design specialist, previously told gb&d. All of the research refrigeration equipment was replaced with the highest efficiency models available, and all lights run on occupancy and daylight controls. The project also features daylight harvesting systems, and automated shades are installed around the perimeter. The project was further elevated by adding water efficiency systems, locally sourced materials, and centralizing freezers into an efficient farm.

AstraZeneca aims to be energy-, carbon-, and water-neutral by 2025, and this project brings the company one step closer to that goal.

6. Environmental Nature Center and Preschool, Newport Beach, CA

The new 8,000-square-foot, three-classroom Environmental Nature Center (ENC) Preschool is the second LEED Platinum Net Zero building on ENC’s 4.7-acre campus in Newport Beach. Photo by Cris Costea Photography

LPA Design Studios recently worked on The Environmental Nature Center and Preschool (ENC) in Newport Beach. They set out to design a top educational space while conserving energy and water and supporting the Environmental Nature Center’s mission of sustainability. At the time it was recognized as the first LEED Platinum building in the region.

The ENC has been operating net positive since 2008, generating 60% more energy than it’s using. The new preschool is expected to be net positive, generating 105% of the preschool’s power needs. No natural gas is used in the building, and PV panels supply 100% of the ENC’s power.

Additional features include photovoltaic panels that are designed to provide 105% of the net energy for the preschool’s electrical needs. Single-sloped roofs capture the water, which is channeled through rock basins to bioswales, where the water is naturally treated and clarified by plant materials before leaving the site to recharge aquifers. All of the plants across the campus are native to California and do not require irrigation, according to LPA Design Studios.

7. Engineering Innovation Hub, New Paltz, NY

The Engineering Innovation Hub at State University of New York in New Paltz will accommodate programming and support collaboration between the college and local industry. Photo by Leon Hordijk, Surfacedesign

State New York University at New Paltz opened its Engineering Innovation Hub (EIH) in 2019 and achieved LEED Gold status. The EIH was designed by Urbahn Architects, who worked with engineering and construction teams to achieve LEED Gold on a limited budget.

LEED points were awarded for a variety of features throughout the project. The building’s roof is a white reflective TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) membrane system, with added insulation to improve the R-value. This composition reduces the heat island effect by providing a high solar reflectance index.

The design of a 31,200-square-foot landscaped site contributes to the project’s sustainability. The project team addressed the LEED category of Sustainable Sites and Water Efficiency in several ways. The entire building site was formerly covered by a parking lot, and the new site plan maximized the open green area surrounding the building footprint. The final building envelope and mechanical systems designs resulted in an energy cost savings of 28%. The building is also close to public transportation and provides bike storage.

8. The Ecology School, Saco, ME

The Ecology School will come to life thanks to the efforts of Kaplan Thompson Architects, Scott Simons Architects, Briburn, and Richardson & Associates. The firms partnered with landscape ecology analysts to understand the site’s potential and the school’s goals for improving every inch of its diverse riverfront property. Photo courtesy of Kaplan Thompson Architects

On a historic 105-acre farm on the Saco River in Maine, Kaplan Thompson Architects is on a quest to build the most sustainable building in the Northeast. There, work has begun on The Ecology School , designed to achieve the Living Building Challenge 3.1 certification.

The building has more than 700 solar panels onsite to support the goal of producing 105% net positive energy. Kaplan Thompson architect Jesse Thompson previously told  gb&d the team was able to bring in an incredible suite of local, sustainable, low-embodied energy materials everyone was proud of, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified wood. All water used on site is reclaimed and treated with activated carbon filters and UV light. Captured storm- and rainwater will nourish the fields and gardens, which in turn grow nutritious produce for the Dining Commons.

9. Eco-Friendly Home, Wellesley, MA

This LEED home in Wellesley, MA features continuous insulation, an airtight envelope, and triple-pane high-performance windows. Photo by Eric Roth

Residential architects are also using LEED to prove the sustainability of their projects, like ZeroEnergy Design’s (ZED) recent New England home . The 4,200-square-foot house is not only comfortable and convenient, it’s also LEED Platinum. Some of the features that earned the project valuable LEED points include durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework throughout the house that have low or no VOCs. The team also designed a mechanical system with ventilation to provide constant fresh outdoor air.

The house also offers an impressive solar array that faces the backyard. The project incorporates many of the top building enclosure strategies—continuous insulation, an airtight envelope, and triple-pane high-performance windows—combined with an efficient HVAC system. Other efficient systems within the house include an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation.

In general, it’s not hard to see why architects, designers, and homeowners would desire more eco-friendly homes. “LEED-certified homes are designed to provide clean indoor air and ample natural light and to use safe building materials to ensure our comfort and good health. They help us reduce our energy and water consumption, thereby lowering utility bills each month, among other financial benefits,” according to the USGBC.

10. The Powerhouse, Beloit, WI

The Powerhouse facility in Beloit, WI now has a running track, conference facility, batting cages, café, and more. Photo by Tom Harris

The Powerhouse, a student union and recreational center at Beloit College, was a unique reuse design opportunity for Studio Gang . The prestigious team of architects embraced one of their core philosophies by starting a design with what’s already there with this project. For the Powerhouse, that meant reinventing a 120,000-square-foot decommissioned power plant.

Juliane Wolf, partner and design principal at Studio Gang, worked with Beloit President Scott Bierman and Beloit’s vision to transform the former power plant into a human-use building for students and the community. Beloit College worked with Alliant Energy to ensure the building was not torn down, which ended up being a huge benefit in the building’s carbon emission performance.

One of The Powerhouse’s most impressive sustainable resources is the nearby Rock River. “The building is cooled and heated with a river-source geothermal system. The Rock River helps power the electric heat pumps, which reduces our use of fossil fuels. We use this system to cool and heat the building, mostly through radiant panels and radiant floor slabs,” Dan Schooff, chief of staff at Beloit College, previously told gb&d . While the project’s LEED certification is still in process, Beloit staff and Studio Gang are conducting a post-occupancy evaluation to see if the sustainable features keep the building at their target goal—up-to 50% below code requirements.

11. Westwood Hills Nature Center, Louis Park, MN

HGA designed the Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota to be zero energy. Photo by Pete Sieger

When team at HGA designed Westwood Hills Nature Center, they made sure every element of the project enhanced its sustainability. “The building is oriented in plan to take advantage of solar angles and prevailing winds; its roof form opens the building up to views and maximizes daylight to reduce energy use,” Glen Waguespack, senior project designer at HGA, told gb&d.

“From a systems standpoint, the biggest contributor to energy reduction is the geothermal wellfield, which uses the earth as a heat source for our radiant and forced air systems; heating loads are dominant in a cold climate like ours,” Waguespack said. Lighting controls and a building automation system help the facility operator manage the building systems as efficiently as possible.

The site design expands an existing prairie and creates an outdoor classroom space on the site of the old building. The building forms an experiential and informational threshold to the site. Targeting Zero Energy certification, HGA’s design provides a high-performance building envelope and energy use is offset by rooftop solar photovoltaic panel.

12. Montgomery Middle School, Chula Vista, CA

Montgomery Middle School. Photo courtesy of LPA Design Studio

In 2013 LPA worked with Sweetwater Union High School District in California to develop a net zero design for a 37,500-square-foot addition for Montgomery Middle School. The expansive project earned LEED Platinum certification.

The school is built on an east-west axis to maximize daylighting, minimize heat gain and allow for natural ventilation. LPA was sure to include an innovative HVAC system installed in an outdoor mechanical yard. This feature freed up space for photovoltaic arrays, while a bioswale filters and releases storm water into the ground, so water damage will never again plague the school. These design strategies help offset 100% of the facility’s reduced energy use.

New schools like Montgomery Middle School can be catalysts for positive change in their communities and they will serve multiple generations while maintaining net-zero.

is the editor for gb&dPRO.

The leading information source for sustainability professionals.

• gb&dPRO
• Manage Subscriptions
• gb&dPRO Membership
• Newsletters
• Browse the Archives
• About gb&d
• Advertise with Us
• Submissions
• Terms & Use

Download Your Free PDF

Looking for a professional for your next built environment project.

LEED Case Study: Blackstone South NC – CS

• Share through Email
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Project Highlights

• Energy use in the summer is reduced by 42% over code.
• Ground source heat pumps used for cooling.
• Occupant water use is reduced by 43%.

Project Summary

mbracing principles of sustainability from the project’s inception, the 46 Blackstone Street complex is the most ambitious green building project Harvard has ever undertaken. The client, University Operations Services (UOS), set sustainability goals early in the process by including sustainability language in the Request for Proposals to the designers. This ensured that sustainability was a primary focus at every stage of the design and construction process. The project team’s dedication to sustainability was recognized in April 2007, when the building was awarded a LEED Platinum rating. This is the highest level possible in the USGBC LEED system, and is Harvard’s first LEED Platinum building.

The 45,000 square foot renovation, completed in May 2006, is the new home of several formerly decentralized UOS departments and will serve as an example of Harvard’s commitment to environmentally responsible building for years to come.

Related Articles

3 key takeaways from new study on building electrification – introducing the falcon curve, sustainable design: harvard science and engineering complex, harvard healthier building academy case study.

• Buildings & Facilities
• CommuterChoice
• Energy & Utilities
• Real Estate
• Sustainability
• Transit & Fleet

Departments

• Energy & Facilities
• Events Management
• Global Support Services
• Harvard Faculty Club
• Harvard International Office
• Harvard Real Estate
• Harvard University Housing
• Office for Sustainability
• Transportation

Harvard Energy & Facilities

Blackstone south eb - cs.

• Green Building Tools & Resources
• Systems, Materials & Products
• 10 Akron Street - HUH
• 125 Mount Auburn - 2nd Floor - HLS
• 15 Hawthorn Street - HUH
• 2 Grant Street - HUH
• 29 Garden Street - HUH
• 40 Concord Avenue - RAD
• ARB WEld Hill
• Batten Hall - Harvard Innovation Lab - HBS
• Biolabs Lecture Hall - FAS
• Blackstone South NC - CS
• Byerly Hall - RAD
• Campus Services Center - CS
• Class of 1959 Memorial Chapel - HBS
• Cohen Laboratory - FAS
• DePace Lab, Warren Alpert Building - HMS
• Dean's House - HBS
• EPS Museum Renovation - FAS
• Eddy Rivas Laboratory - FAS
• Engert Lab - FAS
• Esteves Hall Executive Education Residence - HBS
• Extavour Laboratory - FAS
• Fay House - RAD
• Gallatin Hall Renovation - HBS
• Gannett House - HLS
• Girguis Laboratory - FAS
• Gordon Track Lockers and Office Renovation - FAS
• Griswold Hall2 - South Suite and Main Entry Renovation - HLS
• Gutman Library - GSE
• HIM 4th Floor - HMS
• Hamilton Hall Renovation - HBS
• Harvard Center Shanghai - HBS
• Harvard Ed Portal - HPAC
• Harvard Management Company
• Harvard University Employees Credit Union - HUECU
• Hauser Center - HKS
• Hauser Hall Basement Offices - HLS
• Herbaria Building 1st Floor Lab - FAS
• Hip Hop Archive - FAS
• IT Offices - SEAS
• Jacobsen Lab - FAS
• Littauer Fine Arts Library - FAS
• Littauer Library - HLS
• Longfellow Hall Basement - GSE
• Longfellow Hall Renovation
• MA Green High Performance Computing Center
• MCB Renovations - Northwest Labs - FAS
• Mango Lab Renovation - Biolabs - FAS
• Mather/Dunster House Kitchen - FAS
• McCollum Hall - HBS
• McCulloch Hall - HBS
• Meselson Lab - Biolabs - FAS
• Moorcroft Office Renovation - FAS
• Murr Athletic Center Locker Rooms - FAS
• Murthy Lab - Biolabs - FAS
• Museum of Comparative Zoology - FAS
• Ni Lab Renovation - FAS
• North Hall - HLS
• Northwest Labs Biophysics - FAS
• One Western Avenue - HUH
• Peabody Terrace Graduate Commons - HUH
• Pearson Lab, Earth and Planetary Sciences - FAS
• Pound Hall 2nd Floor
• Quad Reorganization - HMS
• Rockefeller Hall - HDS
• Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center - HBS
• Schlesinger Library - RAD
• Schreiber Lab - FAS
• Science Center - Cabot Library Project - FAS
• Shared Laboratory HEB - FAS
• Sherman Fairchild Laboratory - FAS
• Smith Campus Center Floor 4 - FAS
• Soldiers Field Park Building 4 - HUH
• Somerville Art Storage - HAM
• Spangler Kitchen - HBS
• Stubbs Lab - Gordon McKay Building - FAS
• Tata Hall - HBS
• Teaching Labs - Northwest Labs - FAS
• The Memorial Church - HRE
• Tozzer Library - FAS
• Vanserg/Shannon Child Care Renovation
• Vecitis Labs - SEAS
• Vlassak Lab - SEAS
• Weitz Lab - SEAS
• Wiener Auditorium - HKS
• William James Hall - 10th Floor - FAS
• Women and Public Policy - HKS
• Zero Arrow - HRE
• Zhuang Lab - FAS

Project highlights

• 96 Energy Star score for the facility
• 3% reduction in energy consumption during the Performance Period
• 20% reduction in energy consumption since the first year of operation
• 100% of the space maintained by Green Seal Certified custodial services

Project summary

In January 2011, Harvard University Campus Services began the process of attaining a LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EB) rating for their office building at 46 Blackstone Street. One year later this facility achieved Platinum certification, the highest rating possible within the LEED system. This facility underwent a major renovation in 2006 and at that time pursued certification under the LEED for New Construction system, for which it also earned a Platinum rating. As a single building receiving Platinum certification under two rating systems, Blackstone South is in select company. According to the U.S. Green Building Council it is the first building in New England, the first in the Ivy League, and only the fifth building in the world to achieve such a distinction.

After construction was completed in 2006, the Campus Services department was particularly interested in ensuring that the building was performing to its rigorous design specifications, most specifically the energy consumption targets as predicted in the building’s energy model. A 40% reduction in summer energy use compared to an ASHRAE 90.1 baseline was specified in the original design. When the building was first occupied the facility was consuming 30% more energy than the model predicted, but an ongoing commissioning and management process has improved it to the point that the facility is now consuming 20% less than the original model predicted. Once the energy consumption of Blackstone was reconciled to levels below the energy model predictions, a decision was made to pursue LEED-EB certification.

In addition to energy use, the LEED-EB rating system evaluates the full profile of environmental impacts from a wide range of building programs including the scheduled maintenance of mechanical equipment, recycling and composting, purchasing of sustainable office supplies and paper products, and elimination of chemicals for cleaning and landscaping. During the project’s performance period, Harvard reviewed each operational practice of the building, ranging from commuting practices to the source and recycled content of the printer cartridges purchased for the facility. As a result a number of important changes occurred, including updates to the preventive maintenance routines and adjustments to the source of ongoing consumables.

• Environmental Health & Safety
• Green.harvard.edu

No products in the cart.

Innovation in LEED: Elevating Sustainable Design to New Heights

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable design, where new technologies emerge and scientific research continuously reshapes our approach to building design, the LEED Innovation category stands as a testament to forward-thinking and eco-friendly practices. This category is not just a component of the LEED framework; it is a celebration of creativity and environmental stewardship in design, construction and operation. It acknowledges and rewards the innovative efforts of project teams that extend environmental benefits beyond the established LEED credit categories; Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

Crafted as a versatile and dynamic category, LEED Innovation is designed to commend exemplary performance and ingenuity in green building. The US.Green Building Council (USGBC) recognizes the ever-changing nature of the green building industry and the necessity to incentivize novel advancements that push the boundaries of what is possible. The ethos of this category is to broaden the scope of green building by integrating novel techniques, processes, and products into project development. It is in the DNA of the LEED rating system to foster innovation as an organic outcome of its comprehensive and iterative processes. This approach not only promotes new methods and standards but also propels the entire practice of green building into new territories of excellence.

Diving into the Credits of the LEED Innovation Category

Encompassing a maximum potential of six points, the LEED Innovation category maintains a uniform point distribution across all project types. It is comprised mainly of two credits: one for innovation, offering three distinct options, and another for the inclusion of a LEED AP on the project team.

Credit 1 – Innovation (1-5 points)

The core intent of the innovation credit is to spur projects towards achieving exceptional or innovative performance. This credit is universally applicable, offering up to five points. The options under this credit are as follows: 1. Option 1: Innovation (1 point) – This option rewards strategies not explicitly covered by any LEED prerequisite or credit, yet demonstrate significant sustainable benefits. To earn points here, projects must exhibit considerable, measurable environmental performance using a novel strategy not addressed in the LEED rating system. For each strategy pursued, the team must clarify the intent, compliance requirements, submittals for compliance, and the design strategies employed. 2. Option 2: Achieve a Pilot Credit from USGBC’s LEED Pilot Credit Library. Pilot credits are proposed credits that serve as a testing ground for new strategies before potential inclusion in LEED. 3. Option 3: Exemplary Performance (1-2 points) – This option allows for earning points by significantly surpassing the requirements of existing LEED prerequisites or credits. For instance, achieving 50% indoor water savings, instead of the standard 40%, could earn an additional point.

Throughout GBRI’s exam preparation materials, icons of thumbs up and thumbs down indicate whether a credit is eligible for exemplary performance.

Project Variations within the Innovation Category

For Core and Shell projects, the pursuit of Innovation credits necessitates a comprehensive strategy that often encompasses the entire building, including core, shell, common areas, and tenant spaces. For example, to gain an Innovation credit for a green housekeeping program, the base building management of the Core and Shell project must control or enforce the cleaning standards through legally binding agreements for areas beyond its immediate control.

http://www.usgbc.org/pilotcredits

Innovation in LEED: A Collaborative Journey Towards Sustainable Excellence

Q: Who shoulders the responsibility for this credit? The LEED Innovation credit is a collective endeavor, embraced by every member of the project team. This integrated team spans various professions, as vividly illustrated in the accompanying graphic. When teams push the boundaries of LEED requirements through innovation, they not only reap additional environmental benefits but also contribute to the evolution of future LEED credits. Their groundbreaking work in exceeding standard LEED credit performance sets a precedent for others in the industry to follow.

Q: How is this Innovation credit implemented? The journey begins with identifying innovative strategies. Sometimes, these strategies exceed the benchmarks of existing LEED credits; other times, they introduce completely new sustainability benefits not previously covered. Sustainable design is born from such innovative thinking, and recognizing these efforts is key to environmental advancement. Innovation can spark at any phase of a project and from any team member, whether during initial meetings, design charrettes, or at later stages. The process involves exploring opportunities for innovative strategies, achieving exemplary performance, and researching and implementing pilot credits. It’s crucial to identify unique environmental strategies not currently addressed in LEED and discuss the possibility of integrating pilot credits or other innovative approaches. Q: What does not qualify for innovative credits? It’s important to note that innovation credits are not granted merely for using specific products or design strategies that assist in attaining an existing LEED credit. Also, strategies that are closed pilot credits and not listed in the online Innovation database are ineligible. A strategy cannot earn more than one point under Innovation, meaning it cannot be double-counted for multiple achievements. The innovation must be project-specific and not a broad corporate strategy. Teams should reference the online Innovation database for examples of successful innovation credits, but these do not guarantee future approval for similar strategies. Formal preapproval requires a project credit interpretation request (CIR).

The Second Credit under the ID Category: Innovation Credit – LEED Accredited Professional

This credit highlights the pivotal role of a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) in the seamless integration and implementation of LEED within a project. The presence of a LEED AP with specialty is invaluable, offering insights into the LEED rating system, the interplay of prerequisites and credits, and guiding the LEED application process. To earn this credit, at least one principal participant of the project team must be a LEED AP with a relevant specialty. Their credential must be active and not expired at the time of certification review. Legacy LEED APs without specialty do not qualify for this credit.

CASE STUDY: CHARTWELL SCHOOL, SEASIDE CA

This private school, catering to students with learning differences such as dyslexia, stands as the first LEED Platinum School and a Net Zero Building. The project team focused on reducing energy demand, effective use of photovoltaics, and strategic daylighting to enhance focus and minimize glare. The school’s green features are not just functional; they are integrated into the curriculum, allowing teachers to use the energy dashboard system to show students the school’s energy usage in real time, turning the building itself into a dynamic educational too.

As you prepare for your LEED exam, consider these sample questions as a glimpse into the depth and scope of the examination. As an esteemed USGBC Education Provider, GBRI is dedicated to ensuring that our students not only face their LEED exams with confidence but also excel in them on their first attempt. We invite you to discover more about our comprehensive exam preparation resources and the scholarship opportunities we offer, designed to empower your journey towards becoming a LEED-certified professional. Q. If a commercial building project is targeting points for innovative performance, how could it achieve the desired points? Answer choices 1. Implementing a strategy not addressed by the LEED rating system 2. Meeting the requirements of a LEED credit 3. Addressing geographically specific environmental priorities 4. Exceeding the requirements of a LEED credit

Correct answer – Implementing a strategy not addressed by the LEED rating system The other choices are; • Meeting the requirements of a LEED credit – Meeting the requirements of a LEED credit would only earn that credit. • Addressing geographically specific environmental priorities – Addressing geographically specific environmental priorities can earn a Regional Priority credit, not an Innovation in Design credit. • Exceeding the requirements of a LEED credit – Exceeding the requirements of a credit provides an opportunity for earning exemplary performance under Innovation in Design, not innovative performance.

The purpose of our blog series is to enlighten our readers about specific sustainability categories within the LEED rating system, elucidating their practical application in project settings and potential representation in LEED examinations , whether for Green Associate or AP credentials. As integral components of GBRI’ s LEED Lexicon Project, these blogs serve as a beacon of knowledge for those navigating the realms of sustainability and green building. We warmly invite our readers to utilize the provided tags to delve into related topics and encourage a subscription to our page for regular updates and insights.

Leave a Reply

Recent blogs.

Exploring the synergy: Intersection of LEED and WELL Rating Systems

How Design Influences Our Productivity, Mental Health, and Wellness

Navigating Regional Materials Criteria for LEED v4 Projects – Is it a 500 Mile Radius or 100 Miles?

Understanding Process Energy within LEED and Green Buildings in general

Understanding LEED Pilot Credits: Your Guide to Innovative Sustainability

Weekly tutorial, sign up for our email list, useful links, newsletter signup.

Submit a Ticket

Welcome back!

Memorial day sale, june 1 to june 15 - 2024, annual day sale, march 15 to april 21 - 2024.

Sustainability education should not have any boundaries!

Register now to get started.

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.