IMPORTANT! The deadline to register your LEED v4 projects is June 30, 2027. Contact us today to define the certification strategy that best meets your goals.
What is LEED certification?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Developed in 1993 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it is the most widely used green building certification system internationally. LEED was introduced in Italy in 2007 and quickly became a leading tool for real estate certification in the country.
LEED certification provides a framework for creating sustainable, highly efficient and healthy buildings.
The rating system promotes and recognizes strong building performance in key areas related to the environment, society and health. LEED assesses energy and water performance, the use of low-impact materials, waste management during construction and operation, indoor environmental quality, occupant well-being and the selection of sustainable sites. Its overall aim is to reduce a building’s CO2-equivalent emissions.
LEED v4 rating systems
LEED can be applied to buildings of different types and uses, throughout their life cycle: from design and construction to operation and maintenance.
There are six main LEED rating system families, each containing options tailored to the type of project being certified:
- LEED for Building Design and Construction – for new buildings and major renovations.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/new-buildings - LEED for Interior Design and Construction – for interior spaces.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/new-interiors - LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance – for existing buildings in operation.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/existing-buildings - LEED for Neighborhood Development – for new neighborhood developments and urban regeneration projects.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/neighborhood-development - LEED for Homes / Residential – for residential buildings.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/residential - LEED for Cities – for entire cities or parts of cities.
https://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/leed-for-cities-communities
LEED v4 BD+C, ID+C and Homes credit categories
These rating systems cover nine categories. Each category includes prerequisites, which must be met to achieve certification, and credits, which project teams may choose to pursue to earn points.
The nine categories are:
- Integrative Process (IP)
- Location and Transportation (LT)
- Sustainable Sites (SS)
- Water Efficiency (WE)
- Energy and Atmosphere (EA)
- Materials and Resources (MR)
- Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
- Innovation (IN)
- Regional Priority (RP)
LEED certification levels
LEED has four certification levels, determined by the points earned through credits, provided that all prerequisites have been met:
Certified: 40–49 points
Silver: 50–59 points
Gold: 60–79 points
Platinum: 80 points or more
A maximum of 100 points is available through the main credit categories, with an additional 10 bonus points available through Innovation and Regional Priority. At least 40 points are required to achieve certification.
Macro Design Studio: LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, O+M and Homes
Macro Design Studio has professionals accredited as LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, O+M and Homes, and provides LEED consulting services to help certify your buildings.
Would you like to learn more about LEED for Homes / Residential certification and get in touch with our LEED for Homes Green Raters and Qualified Energy Raters? Read our article and contact us for more information: https://www.macrodesignstudio.it/2020/05/07/leed-for-homes-green-rater/
For more information, contact us at info@macrodesignstudio.it.