Green Building and LEED Certification
By robertludvig on Mar 25, 2009 in Getting Started
What does building green mean and why is it necessary? Greening a company encompasses many different aspects, not just recycling or stopping use of toxic materials and replacing it with something more environmentally friendly. Turning your company green includes green building practices. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, more commonly known as LEED, is at the top in terms of certification of green building construction practices. Follow their guidelines, study their material and join others in building for a green and better tomorrow. The U.S. Green Building Council offers a third-party certification program. If interested, you can find out about the specifics of the LEED rating systems for new construction, schools, homes and retail designs.
Founding Father
Rob Watson is the founder of LEED and because of this he is generally regarded as one of the founders of green building practices. His passion for green construction and green building practices cannot be understated. Offering rational arguments and a refreshing point of view supporting green building and construction, Mr.Watson is at the cutting edge of green business and the structures that house these increasingly powerful companies. He offers a bottom-up approach to business and the environmental responsibility that everyone shares. It is with his forethought, insight and imagination that has brought LEED front and center in green building. This is more than a movement, but a fundamental change in the way businesses look at buildings not only as a means to house products and workers, but a way to harmoniously co-exist with the environment. Hats off to Rob Watson for over 15 years of dedication and teaching the world how to build green.
My wife and I recently upgraded many of the materials in our home with our kitchen remodel. Most of the products we used were “certified green” of some variety. Some were LEED certified. What a difference it has made in our energy bills, not to mention our overall sense of having done something good for the environment. We don’t regret anything about the project, not even the slightly higher cost associated with this kind of project over a traditional material job. There really isn’t that much of a difference anyway.
Art Hunter | May 1, 2009 | Reply
The whole LEED thing is really blowing up. Illinois actually just got its first LEED certified hotel, Hotel Arista. They’re located in Naperville and have done a great job achieving some of the best eco-friendly standards without sacrificing comfort really at all. I stayed once and the rooms were huge, the amenities and service were top-notch, and it’s topped off by being environmentally responsible.
Jasmine R | Jun 15, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for posting these 2 great videos! I didn’t realize that I could become a LEED AP Very exciting! Anyone else who is interested should visit http://www.gbci.org/
Janelle | Jun 22, 2009 | Reply