TED Magazine Publishes Article on LEED 2009

Sustainable construction represents about 10% of the current commercial and institutional building market, according to McGraw-Hill, which predicts that demand will increase to 20-25% by 2013, or $96-140 billion.

LEED has provided focus to the sustainable design movement and, to a significant extent, put a face on it. LEED 3.0, the latest version of LEED, was launched April 27, 2009. By June 27, all LEED projects had to begin registering under the new LEED 2009 rating system.

The new LEED incorporates all of the rating systems that address commercial buildings—New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Schools and Existing Buildings into three LEED 2009 systems: Green Building Design & Construction, Green Interior Design & Construction and Green Building Operations & Maintenance. While the majority of individual credits is familiar, LEED 2009 includes significant changes.

First, LEED credits are now weighted, resulting in more emphasis on energy and atmosphere points. A number of credits are updated. And bonus points are awarded for LEED credits considered to be a priority for particular regions.

The major areas where electric lighting can play a part in achieving LEED points are optimized energy performance, light controllability, light pollution and mercury content in light bulbs.

Click here to read an article I wrote about LEED 2009 and lighting for the January issue of TED Magazine.

Craig DiLouie

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