The Future of Green Buildings, Sustainable Architecture, and Leed 2009

LEED 2009 is set to begin beta testing in February ofprobably never get into the actual details of LEED
2009, with the full transition and launch of all newcertification, which is reserved for the next tier, the
tests to happen by summer.LEED Accredited Professional.
One of the biggest changes to the LEED RatingThe second tier, the LEED Accredited Professional,
system is the incorporation of regionalism, wherewill be specialized credentials that get’s into the
there is a possibility of a project team earning extra“in-depth knowledge of the rating system for
points that are prioritized in a project’sthe area that you work in most.” These
environmental zone. Also, some of the existingspecialized rating systems will include specializations in
credits will be rewritten and fine-tuned based on userNew Construction, Interiors, Homes, Operations and
experience and comments about the old ratingMaintenance (previously LEED for Existing Buildings),
systems.and Neighborhood Development. The exam and rating
Besides the change in the point rating system, theresystems will be similar to the existing version, with
is another change that is affecting those who are onthe changes in regionalism and the addition of new
the front line of the green building movementWater Efficiency credits, which was commented to
through LEED, the LEED Accredited Professionals.be a minor lacking in the current version of the LEED
There are over 65,000 people who are LEED APsrating system. There will be other changes, all of
around the entire world, many of which who havewhich will be announced when the new LEED
helped bring LEED and the USGBC to where it isreference guides come out mid to early 2009.
today in the world of sustainable architecture andThe third and final tier is reserved for the LEED AP
green building design.Fellow. The LEED AP Fellow is a person who
There is no longer just a LEED AP, as those who willdemonstrates great knowledge in the LEED rating
be implementing the LEED rating systems for LEEDsystem, distinguished with years of experience and
2009 will be a part of a three tiered credentialleading green building design. This is an elite class of
system. The first tier is called “LEED Greenleading professionals that will be of much fewer
Associate”, the second “The LEEDnumbers than the previous tiers of the new LEED
Accredited Professional”, and the third “Thecredentialing system.
LEED AP Fellow.”Beta testing for the LEED Green Associate’s
The first tier, the LEED Green Associates, will be forexam begins in February of 2009, and the entire
“the people who support the LEED ratingrating system is planned for launch in mid 2009. This
system,” as said by Beth Holst, VP of credentialsis a great step towards refining the somewhat
for the Green Building Certification Institute. Thecontroversial rating system, which should make it
exam for the LEED Green Associate will cover basicmore accepted and specialized for buildings living in
green building knowledge and will not require thecertain regions of the world.
in-depth knowledge that it takes to bring a projectMany people are anxiously awaiting the new rating
to LEED certification. The types of people who aresystem, and will be curious to see how widely
fitted for this exam are the product manufacturers,accepted it will truly be. It’s a step in the right
the marketers, the finance people, customer service,direction, and we should all thank the USGBC in their
and students. It is unknown how many of theseefforts to stay current in today’s constantly
people are already LEED APs, but this exam will bechanging green building market and it’s
much more suited for their needs, as they willtechnologies.