LEEDing the Way in Green Architecture

In the ongoing environmental movement, an area of increasing interest is green architecture. Perhaps you've seen the news stories about Brad Pitt building sustainable homes for the Make It Right campaign in New Orleans or read about the radical residents of solar-powered and heated homes like the Ecohouse at Ohio University. If you're curious about how to build a sustainable home without going to such extremes, LEED certification may be right for you.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is an internationally recognized green building certification system. Developed in 2000, LEED gives owners a framework for implementing green designs, construction, and operation.

LEED examines five key areas of a potential building; sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Through this, LEED guarantees a whole building approach to sustainability. Based on a point system awarded to the five key areas, a building can achieve silver, gold or platinum LEED certification.

Most building types are available to be LEED certified, including offices, retail establishments, hotels, institutional buildings, and residential buildings, and in any environment. Chicago is home to the most LEED certified buildings of any other city in the country. The University of California ? Santa Barbara has more LEED buildings than any other school in California and is a leader in the nation, pledging to certify 25 existing buildings in the next five years.

So don't be left in the dust when the green architecture boom hits. If you're constructing a new building, check to see if it can be LEED certified.

Even existing buildings can be modified to meet the LEED standards. With projects in 41 countries, LEED certification is not only thriving and environmentally sound; it's economically beneficial as well. There's no reason not to enjoy the benefits to your wallet and the planet.

Building Retrofitting Resources
• *Retrofitting for Energy Conservation
• *Creating a Sustainable Home: A Practical Guide to Building, Remodeling, or Retrofitting Your Home for Healthy Living

Green Building Articles

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• How an Eco Renovator Can Save You Money
• Green Building Code: Providing More Opportunities for Green Workers
• Green Builders: Construction Work with a Purpose
• Get More Green Job Options with LEED Training Programs
• CALGREEN: New Challenges for Green Professionals
• Better Career Opportunities for LEED-Trained Workers
• LEED Training - More Success for Green Workers
• LEED Training for Green Employment
• LEED Online Training
• LEED Jobs
• Get Certified and Get Hired
• LEEDing the Way in Green Architecture
• Green Building with Environmentally Friendly Building Materials
• Weatherization and Insulation Technicians Save Homeowners Big Bucks in Energy Costs
• Building Green Jobs in America
• Helping Homeowners Save Money Through Retrofitting
• Becoming a LEED Certifier
• Changing Nature: The Promised Rise of Green Infrastructure-Building Careers in the United States
• Four Green Jobs to get you Started in the Green Building Sector
• Green Building
• LEED Certification

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