What does ‘green building’ mean?  How can principles of sustainability be implemented in building design and construction and be certified as such?  These were questions that the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) dealt with when they rolled out their first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) guidelines in the 1990s.  Although LEED has received criticism for not incorporating measured building performance in its accreditation service, their guidelines have evolved over the years and are regarded as the leader in the world of green building certification [1].  Energy 2.0 contributor John Bolduc reports that here in Cambridge–one of the nation’s most accomplished cities in sustainable practices–64 buildings have either been registered with LEED or accredited.

But for all the usefulness a green building certification system brings with it, it still doesn’t get at the need for sustainable developments on a slightly larger scale–that… [view entry]

Fenway Park is home to the Green Monster, but it’s the LEED-certified Nationals Stadium in Washington D.C. that is the true green monster.

As National Geographic’s Green Guide points out, the Washington Nationals aren’t the only sports team building green.

The new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field (New York Mets), on the other hand, passed on the option to build sustainable venues, even though they were able to spend $1.5 billion and $900 million respectively to build their new stadia.  The green upgrades in Nationals Park, by contrast, cost but $2 million.

You may be familiar with LEED, the U.S. Green Building Council’s green building certification standard, but now there is a new, more demanding system on the scene. The more stringent Living Building Challenge (LBC), endorsed by USGBC, strives to be the most advanced green building rating system in the world.

One of the first two buildings competing to become the first LBC-certified project is the new Living Learning Center at the Tyson Research Center, part of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

LEED and LBC differ in two substantial ways.  Whereas LEED operates on a point-scoring system, all sixteen of Living Building Challenge’s elements, in the categories of Site, Energy, Materials, Water, Indoor Quality, and Beauty & Inspiration, are mandatory.  And, while LEED designation measures anticipated… [view entry]