The Alliance Center in lower downtown Denver is certified as LEED-EB Gold and LEED-CI Silver. The historic building, built in 1908, was retrofitted with dual-flush toilets and other devices that have reduced the facility’s water
consumption by 84 percent. Light sensors and other features have reduced electrical consumption by more than 50 percent, while office recycling has reduced waste by over 40 percent.

What is LEED®?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a nonprofit coalition of more than 6,400 organizations.

LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. It focuses on a market driven approach that promotes and measures the environmental and economic benefits of incorporating energy efficiency practices throughout a building’s lifecycle.

Benefits of LEED

LEED-certified buildings typically cost less to operate and maintain over the life of the structure, are they can command higher lease rates than conventional buildings in their markets. Green buildings help reduce air and water pollution, materials waste, and consumption of electricity and water. Occupants of green buildings report increased productivity and healthier working and living environments.

Comprehensive Rating System

LEED promotes expertise in green building through a comprehensive system offering project certification, professional accreditation, training and practical resources. This system provides the building industry with consistent, credible standards for what constitutes a “green” building.

LEED addresses all building types, and specific programs include:

• LEED-NC: New commercial construction and major renovation projects
• LEED-EB: Existing building operations
• LEED-CI: Commercial interiors projects
• LEED-CS: Core and shell projects
• LEED-H: Homes
• LEED-ND: Neighborhood development

Guidelines are also being developed for specific applications such as retail, multiple buildings and campuses, schools, healthcare facilities, laboratories and lodging, and other types of construction.

Green Building Features

When construction projects factor in LEED standards, they address a variety of environmental issues such as erosion control, promoting alternative transportation (public transportation, parking options, bike storage, etc.), light pollution, water efficient landscaping, habitat biodiversity, preventing stormwater runoff, pollution control, construction waste reduction, and materials reuse.

LEED-certified buildings also feature energy efficient heating and cooling systems, low-emitting materials, natural lighting (daylighting), energy efficient appliances, water efficient systems, renewable energy components (such as photovoltaic or geothermal systems), recycling collection services, and other elements.

Certification Options

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest performance standards. Building owners, construction teams, and architectural firms register construction projects with the USGBC.

As part of the certification process, they document the measures they have taken that satisfy a checklist of prerequisites for the LEED category for which the project is eligible. The extent to which a project meets and obtains points for each of the guidelines, it is certified at one of four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Education and outreach are core components of the LEED system. The USGBC hosts LEED workshops, Web-based training and seminars, the annual Greenbuild conference, and other events.

A professional accreditation exam-based program is also available for building industry practitioners who want to demonstrate their expert knowledge of LEED project certification requirements, processes, design principles and green building practices.

IN-DEPTH:

• Review the guidelines of the LEED Rating System.
• Find LEED brochures, FAQs, case studies, and publications.
• Locate a LEED-certified builder from the USGBC Colorado Chapter.
• Tour the Alliance Center’s LEED-certified facility.