Seeking Sustainability Beyond LEED

What does it take to build sustainably? That a question that the USGBC's LEED program hoped to define. A group of developers in New York is trying to go beyond LEED to create "truly sustainable buildings".

1 minute read

November 9, 2013, 5:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"While many developers continue to covet a LEED designation, others are trying to redefine what it is to be green," writes Alison Gregor. "A growing list of eco-friendly construction technologies is enabling builders to go beyond LEED, and has helped introduce two even stricter green systems, namely the Living Building Challenge and passive housing."

"The Green Building Council, which runs the LEED program, embraces these other certification systems, because they 'help people stretch their thinking in terms of what’s possible with building,' said Scot Horst, a senior vice president with the council. 'My sense is each of these certification tools has its own place in terms of helping to understand how to make a building function better with nature and people, and make it a healthier place.'”


Friday, November 1, 2013 in The New York Times

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