Leaders in LEED: Green Buildings Start to Stand Out

MarketScale
MarketScale
Aug 13, 2018

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a term familiar with those in the architecture and design community. In recent years, recognition from LEED has almost become a hackneyed label, but it is still a title that should be carried with pride by those that design and construct buildings worthy of this classification.

With more than 2.4 million square feet of real estate garnering LEED certification every day, it may seem like a low barrier to cross. However, strict guidelines must be followed to be granted this designation and can be lost if protocols are not kept up with.

Designations can be earned in energy, water, electricity and waste reductions. Today, many buildings are built to comply with LEED standards, but the United States Green Building Council, the non-profit established in 1993 that denotes LEED certification, also allows existing structures to qualify if particular changes are made.

Today, we take a look at some of 2018’s most notable LEED certification recipients and how they achieved their status.

It does not require steel and metal to gain LEED certification. “Strategies under Sustainable Sites (SS) address impacts by rewarding decisions about the environment surrounding the building, and emphasizing the vital relationships among buildings, ecosystems and ecosystem services. They focus on restoring project site elements, integrating the site with local and regional ecosystems, and preserving the biodiversity on which natural systems rely,” the USGBC says.

Museums have increasingly become more sustainable. Commercial buildings need to operate as a business themselves, meaning efficiency is critical. This is why so many are looking to save energy, water, and electricity through LEED-standard procedures.

College campuses have begun to use their certification as a recruiting tool to prospective students. USGBC says there are more than 240,000 buildings across 4,100 higher education campuses that have LEED certification of some kind.

Entertainment venues are also becoming more sustainable, saving organizations valuable dollars in a competitive industry.

The public sector is also saving tax payers money by constructing green buildings.

 

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly Bridges Cultures and Markets to Power U.S.–China Business Growth
November 14, 2025

Baker Tilly’s U.S.–based China practice supports Chinese enterprises operating in the United States as well as U.S. companies with Chinese-heritage leadership. Team members such as Beverly Bian, Terry Dickens, and Lucy Ni work with clients ranging from early-stage ventures to major multinational organizations navigating cross-border growth. The practice distinguishes itself through its bilingual capabilities…

Read More
construction
Empowering Excellence: How Rick Ward Elevates Southwest Construction Services
November 13, 2025

In an industry where timelines tighten and jobsite complexities grow by the day, quality assurance has become one of construction’s most defining—and differentiating—disciplines. At its core, QA isn’t just about correcting mistakes; it’s about building systems and people capable of preventing them in the first place. This is especially true in specialized sectors…

Read More
training
Empowering Teams Through a Modern Training Culture
November 13, 2025

Training may be the backbone of any skilled trade, but in waterproofing—where mistakes can compromise entire structures—it becomes a defining competitive advantage. At Southwest Construction Services, the evolution of training reflects a larger industry shift: seasoned crews now rely less on formal classroom sessions and more on hyper-focused, on-site guidance tailored to the…

Read More
quality assurance
Ensuring Excellence: How Quality Assurance Shapes Every Successful Project
November 13, 2025

In an era of rising climate volatility and tighter construction tolerances, waterproofing has quietly become one of the most consequential guardians of a building’s long-term health. Too often, the industry treats it as an afterthought—something buried behind walls, beneath slabs, or under layers of finish—but the truth is that its success or failure can…

Read More
Related
first 30 days
Software & Technology
First 30 Days Of Working With Learn Do Teach & Justen Martin
June 2, 2023
Healthcare
The Future of Construction: Unpacking Modular Building
May 31, 2023

In a recent Getting Smart episode, Jim Dunn, President and Founder of Stack Modular, lent his insights into the evolving landscape of the modular construction industry. Here, we’ll dive deeper into the key takeaways from the conversation, offering a comprehensive look into the world of modular building and how it’s poised to disrupt the traditional…

Read More
Healthcare
Unlocking Automation: Revolutionizing B2B Manufacturing Processes
May 1, 2023

We’re excited to share the latest episode of our podcast where we dive deep into the world of automation and its game-changing impact on B2B manufacturing. Sean Dotson, Co-founder of Automatika and formerly Founder and CEO of RND Automation shares his decades of trial and error, and provides a masterclass on getting started with automation….

Read More