LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) represents excellence in green building design, construction, renovation, and operations and maintenance. This continuously-evolving standard provides a concise framework to measure sustainability in all commercial building types – office, retail, schools or healthcare – as well as tenant improvements and significant retrofits. Two new additions, LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development, extend the rating system into communities. On April 27, 2009, USGBC launched LEED Version 3 to incorporate the latest technical advancements in building science while prioritizing energy efficiency and CO2 emission reductions.

LEED Ratings

LEED addresses performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED 2009 (v3) awards 100 possible base points, with credits weighted to reflect potential environmental impacts. The newest version includes additional points for “Innovation in Design” and “Regional Priorities”.

The independent Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) administers project registration and certification to assure that LEED buildings are constructed as intended. GBCI certifies buildings on four levels:

• Certified: 40-49 points
• Silver: 50-59 points
• Gold: 60-79 points
• Platinum: 80 points and above

In Search of LEED

The Missouri Gateway Region boasts a growing number of LEED-certified buildings: newly constructed, renovated, historic, high-performance, interiors, core and shell, landscapes, and more. See the full list here and scan the St. Louis LEED map for project locations. The region is also the scene of great innovation, featuring a number of LEED schools, homes and neighborhoods currently in development.

To learn more about LEED Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified buildings in our region, check out Missouri Gateway LEED profiles. Scan the LEED Project Directory for a complete list of certified and registered projects nationally. Or see selected national LEED profiles.