LEED

LEED standards

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system is a widely used set of standards for evaluating sustainable, environmentally responsible facility design and construction. LEED was developed by the United States Green Building Council for the design of high performance, sustainable buildings and interiors.

The LEED building rating system is organized into several categories:

There are five different types of classifications of LEED standards:

• LEED-BD+C for new construction and major renovation projects.

• LEED-O+M for existing building operations and maintenance.

• LEED-10+C for commercial interior projects.

• LEED-ND for new land development projects or redevelopment projects.

• LEED-Homes for single family, low-rise multi-family or mid-rise multi-family homes.

The rating system is based on a project checklist containing 69 items, each worth one point.

There are four certification categories:

• Certified: at least 40 points plus documentation.
• Silver: at least 50 points plus documentation.
• Gold: at least 60 points plus documentation.
• Platinum: at least 80 points plus documentation.

The ratings are based on checklists of specific activities, some required for certification and others optional. Many items contain a minimum threshold for qualification and others optional. Many items contain a minimum threshold for qualification, such as 30 percent reduction in water use or 75 percent re-use of the existing building shell. The innovation in design category awards points for exceptional performance that exceeds the checklists, as well as for innovative performance in green building categories not specifically addressed by LEED.

Currently Western Michigan University has been certifying new construction through the LEED 2009 rating system. Beginning October 31, 2016 buildings must be certified through the new LEED v4 rating system. The new LEED v4 building rating system is organized into several categories:

List of LEED certified buildings

LEED certification news

• WMU Among Four Schools in Nation Recognized for Sustainable Cleaning
• WMU Earns National Recognition from U.S. Green Building Council
• Western Michigan University Earns Statewide Title in LEED
• Honors College Home Earns LEED Silver Certification
• Sangren Hall Earns LEED Gold Certification
• New LEED Building Certifications Boost WMU Total to Seven
• New Sangren Design for Instructional Change and Sustainability