In order to design a green building, architects require an updated version of the LEED Certification Checklist, i.e., LEED v5. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, aka LEED, is the most popular green building rating system in the world. A LEED Certification Checklist simplifies referring to and building environmentally conscious buildings while honouring architects for the same.
Since its inception in 1993 by the USGBC, there have been more than 100,000 projects in about 180 countries. Considering India, there are 146 buildings, and it ranks third in the Top 10 countries in 2021. For this purpose, there are four levels of certification given to deserving buildings: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.As a result, the LEED Certification Checklist on the USGBC website might be quite overwhelming. So, here’s a compact guide for your next LEED-rated building.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the private organisation responsible for awarding rating systems. There are 4 Rating Systems, where the maximum score is 110.
The building’s energy consumption and the use of energy-efficient technologies are major criteria for LEED Certification. It must include the following:
The building must contribute to the health and wellbeing of its users. IEQ must include the following:
The criteria cover the impact location and transportation can have on the building. Its involvement can be taken from the site development stage itself and is as follows:
The criteria involve the water consumption of the building throughout the construction process. The credits for efficient water usage are as follows:
It encourages the use of materials with low environmental impact, recycling, and the use of locally sourced products. The following are the credit criteria:
The criteria involve sustainable site selection and its impact on the environment. The credits are as follows:
It involves innovative design strategies throughout the construction process. The credits are as follows:
It involves recognising environmental issues that are specific to a certain region and climate zone.
The category covers overall strategies related to the design and construction of a building. It involves the following credits:
Here is an interactive scorecard to see if your building can achieve LEED Certification:
As an architect or interior designer, one can step into the world of green design by obtaining a LEED Credential. Obtaining a credential can help one understand the rating criteria and make obtaining the certification much easier. LEED Accreditation can be made simple by utilising the exam preparation package offered by USGBC.
According to USGBC, one must clear two levels, which can either be taken separately or together.
1.LEED Green Associate (LEED GA):
Clearing LEED GA is the first step to getting a certification. It assesses the general knowledge of green building practices. The examination will take place online, with the option to attempt it from a test centre or from home. The time duration is two hours with 100 multiple-choice questions.
2.LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP): LEED AP is an advanced level examination that focuses on five specialities based on expertise, which are as follows:
Similar to LEED GA, it gives an option to attempt from a test centre or from home.
Also Check Out >>> IGBC Certification: Tool Kit for Architects on Green Projects
Here are the Minimum Program Requirement For LEED Certification:
Once you become a LEED-accredited professional, you need to decide the project category. There is a LEED category for every project:
1. Decide the LEED project typology or category for certification. This LEED Rating interactive tool can help you decide your project type:
2. Select the right LEED Rating System using the 40/60 rule. The rule helps to choose the appropriate rating system when a project is applicable to multiple rating systems. It involves comparing the total floor area (TFA) of the project as follows:
3. After deciding, it is time to start a LEED project, which involves continuous evaluation. Visit the USGBC links for the following categories:
4. To know more about the points for each criteria, refer to the credit library: LEED Credit Library
To conclude, keeping a LEED Certification Checklist in hand can help make designing green buildings much easier. When it comes to green design, LEED Certification is credible proof for your clients that the building adheres to sustainability standards. LEED has various proven benefits to not just the environment but also the owner, as it will increase the value in the market.
But should LEED Certification be the prime measure for sustainable design?
The aim must not be to cross out each criteria in the LEED Certification Checklist, as it might miss out on the human touch. As long as the architect is true to one’s ideology of a green future, the design will naturally be sustainable.
Text By: Gopika Pramod
Gurgaon’s architecture reflects the rapid transformation of a once-sleepy suburb into one of India’s most dynamic urban centers. Characterized by its striking skyline of glass-clad towers, corporate parks, and luxury residences, the city embodies a blend of modernism and global urban aspirations. Contemporary architecture in Gurgaon emphasizes verticality, smart technology, and sustainable design, with green-certified […]
Architecture in Goa is an ever-evolving dialogue between tropical modernism and cultural heritage. Known for its scenic coastline, Portuguese influences, and laid-back charm, Goa carries an architectural identity that seamlessly merges history with contemporary living. In recent years, architects in Goa have been redefining the state’s built environment by blending vernacular wisdom with innovative, sustainable […]
Nestled in the vibrant urban setting of Balaji Nagar, Sangli, The Red Abode with a terracotta facade redefines contemporary living with its seamless integration of modern design and nature. Designed for an IT professional seeking tranquility and inspiration, this project exemplifies how architecture can foster harmony between the built environment and the natural world. A […]
This bungalow in Udaipur, Rajasthan, designed for the Gandhi family, exemplifies a refined blend of modern contemporary architecture with subtle regional sensitivity. The zoning and design is grounded in clean lines, bold geometric volumes, and a sophisticated interplay of materials. The façade combines natural travertine, matte black cladding, and warm wood for contrast and harmony. […]
Nestled in the serene surroundings of Swarnabhoomi, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Ivory Courtyard is more than just a residence—it is an architectural statement that harmoniously blends Indian traditional values with modern contemporary living. With its pristine ivory colour exterior symbolising purity and sophistication, this home stands as a beacon of elegance and comfort for the two families […]
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]
Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]