LEED headquarters now LEED certified

The first project to be certified platinum under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program is the new USGBC headquarters in Washington.

By Source: U.S. Green Building Council July 20, 2009

The first project to be certified platinum under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED program is-not surprisingly-the new USGBC headquarters in Washington .

The two-floor, 75,000 sq ft office will use far less energy than a typical office. Glass windows provide ample day lighting, with electronic window shades maximizing the natural light while minimizing glare. A dashboard provides real-time feedback on energy use. And thanks to an energy-saving plumbing system, water use will be 40% less than a normal office.

"The vision of the space was to exemplify everything a LEED building is: high-performing, resource-efficient, healthy and productive," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. "Using the newest version of the rating system renders our space on the cutting edge of building science and technology, and will serve as an educational learning lab and highly representative of a transforming building market."