Global warming and climbing oil prices have refocused attention on the environment and energy consumption, and many companies are responding through sustainable building. Sustainable or “green” building stipulates that construction, energy, and water resources be used efficiently and that buildings be healthy for occupants and not detrimental to the environment.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is an increasingly popular tool for commercial architects and builders looking to “go green.” LEED—a program of the U.S. Green Building Council—is a national standard for developing sustainable buildings. In addition to certifying the sustainability of a building, LEED approval can help companies qualify for government incentives.
The building owners and architects for the projects profiled here embraced LEED standards as a way to create goodwill in their communities, save money over time, and even showcase their own product and services. They explain all the green features of their environmentally friendly buildings.
