Green building and LEED certification have been major topics of interest on our blog. We’ve highlighted a number of Lauth buildings that have received LEED certification, discussed the cost of green building, and even explored how tenants of green buildings have fewer sick days. So it was nice to see green building and sustainable design get a nod from the national media in a recent NPR article.
The article notes that while much of the U.S. real estate market struggled during the recession, green building was just beginning to hit its stride. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, green building accounted for just two percent of new construction in the U.S. in 2005. Today, green building accounts for nearly one-third of new construction.
LEED certification was developed in 1993 by the U.S. Green Building Council. Since then it has done an excellent job of using LEED certification as a marketing pitch. After becoming certified, the building receives a plaque to show its status as a green building.
The certification process is based on a point system. Applying certain changes or using specific materials earns a designated amount of points. The total points you have then places you into a category or rating system. The ratings are as follows: basic, silver, gold or platinum.
Lauth Group has earned a LEED Gold Rating for the development of HSBC Mortgage Services’ Corporate Headquarters in the Greater Charlotte metropolitan area, and LEED Silver Ratings for the construction of the Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI) building in Bedford, Pennsylvania and NASCAR® Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina.
