flexiblefullpage

HORIZONTV FEATURING BD+C: WATCH EPISODES ON DEMAND AT HORIZONTV

Menu View Full Menu
Subscribe Here
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Illinois leads Top 10 states for LEED in annual USGBC ranking

Illinois leads Top 10 states for LEED in annual USGBC ranking

Mid-Atlantic region of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia ranks high in annual Top 10.

By USGBC | February 18, 2014
The Illinois Holocaust Museum, in Skokie, is one of Illinois' recent LEED Gold p
The Illinois Holocaust Museum, in Skokie, is one of Illinois' recent LEED Gold projects. Architect: Stanley Tigerman. Photo: Wik
Continue Reading
Washington, D.C. — (Feb. 18, 2014) — Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its ranking of the Top 10 States for LEED®, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system. The list highlights the regions around the country that are at the forefront of sustainable building design and transformation. Utilizing less energy, LEED-certified spaces save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“The list of the Top 10 States for LEED is a continuing indicator of the widespread recognition of our national imperative to create healthier, high-performing buildings that are better for the environment as well as the people who use them every day,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “As the economy recovers, green buildings continue to provide for jobs at every professional level and skill set from carpenters to architects. I congratulate everyone in these states whose contributions to resources saved, toxins eliminated, greenhouse gases avoided, and human health enhanced help guarantee a prosperous future for our planet and the people who call it home.”

The per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2013. Among states, Illinois moved into the top position for LEED, certifying 171 projects representing 2.29 square feet of LEED space per resident.

“Both the public and private sectors in Illinois recognize that long-term investments in 21st century infrastructure should be done in ways that reduce energy consumption and protect the environment,” said Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. “Illinois is proud to be the nation’s green buildings leader, and we are proof that a smaller environmental footprint can help us step toward energy independence.”     

The mid-Atlantic region reigned in 2013 with Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia all topping the list. Washington, D.C., had 106 LEED-certified projects representing 32.45 square feet of space per resident. Maryland and Virginia followed Illinois in the second and third positions, respectively, certifying 2.20 and 2.11 square feet of LEED space per resident in 2013.

Newcomers to the top 10 states list from 2012 include:
  • Oregon, which certified 47 projects representing 1.83 square feet per resident in 2013;
  • North Carolina, with 1.80 square feet per resident;
  • Hawaii, with 1.71 square feet per resident; and
  • Minnesota, with 1.55 square feet per resident.
New York and California, two of the most populous states in the nation, tied for fifth place, with each certifying 1.95 square feet of space per resident in 2013.
 
USGBC calculates the list using per-capita figures as a measure of the human element of green building, allowing for a fair comparison of the level of green building taking place among states with significant differences in population and, accordingly, number of overall buildings.

Reflecting the continued trend of LEED existing buildings outpacing their newly built counterparts, in 2013 the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance rating system accounted for 48 percent of total square footage certified in these states. This compares to 43 percent of square footage certified under LEED for Building Design and Construction and 9 percent certified under LEED for Interior Design and Construction.

The full ranking is as follows:

Rank State

Projects certified in 2013

 Square feet certified in 2013 Per-capita square footage
1 Illinois 171 29,415,284 2.29
2 Maryland 119 12,696,429 2.20
3 Virginia 160 16,868,693 2.11
4 Massachusetts 101 13,684,430 2.09
5 (tie) New York 259 37,839,395 1.95
5 (tie) California 595 72,729,476 1.95
6 Oregon 47 6,991,942 1.83
7 North Carolina 133 17,183,099 1.80
8 Colorado 124 8,894,187 1.77
9 Hawaii 17 2,323,379 1.71
10 Minnesota 51 8,205,155 1.55
* Washington, D.C. 106 19,524,216 32.45

*Washington, D.C. is not ranked as it is a federal district, not a state.

Notable projects that certified in these states in 2013 include:
  • Illinois: The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, LEED Gold.
  • Maryland: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, LEED Gold, home of the Baltimore Ravens.
  • Virginia: 1776 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, LEED Platinum, the first commercial building in Arlington to earn Platinum certification.
  • Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke, LEED Platinum, the first university research computing center to achieve Platinum certification.
  • New York: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, LEED Silver, home of the Brooklyn Nets and future home of the N.Y. Islanders.
  • California: SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, LEED Gold.
  • Oregon: The Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in Portland, LEED Platinum.
  • North Carolina: Mother Earth Brewing in Kinston, LEED Gold.
  • Colorado: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery in Fort Collins, LEED Platinum.
  • Hawaii: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, LEED Silver, the largest certified project in the state.
  • Minnesota: The Carleton College Weitz Center for Creativity in Northfield, LEED Gold, the college’s third project to earn LEED certification.
Collectively, 1,777 commercial and institutional projects became LEED certified within the top 10 states in 2013, representing 226.8 million square feet of real estate. Worldwide, 4,642 projects were certified in 2013, representing 596.8 million square feet.

Cumulatively, more than 20,000 projects representing 2.9 billion square feet of space have been LEED-certified worldwide, with another 37,000 projects representing 7.6 billion square feet in the pipeline for certification. USGBC launched LEED v4, the newest version of the rating system, in the fall of 2013. The latest version continues to raise the bar for the entire green building industry, which McGraw-Hill Construction projects could be worth up to $248 billion in the U.S. by 2016. LEED v4 features increased technical rigor; new market sector adaptations for data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality, existing schools, existing retail, and midrise residential projects; and a simplified submittal process supported by a robust and intuitive technology platform.

###
About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org, explore theGreen Building Information Gateway (GBIG) and connect on Twitter and Facebook.
About LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. Every day, more than 1.5 million square feet of space is certified using LEED. More than 57,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising 10.5 billion square feet of construction space in 147 countries and territories. In addition, more than 50,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system. Learn more at usgbc.org/LEED. 
 

Tags

Related Stories

The 108,000 sf La Playa Residence Hall, funded by the State of California’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program, will consist of three five-story structures connected by bridges.
Student Housing | Apr 19, 2024

$115 million Cal State Long Beach student housing project will add 424 beds

A new $115 million project recently broke ground at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) that will add housing for 424 students at below-market rates. The 108,000 sf La Playa Residence Hall, funded by the State of California’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program, will consist of three five-story structures connected by bridges.

New download: BD+C's April 2024 Market Intelligence Report
Construction Costs | Apr 18, 2024

New download: BD+C's April 2024 Market Intelligence Report

Building Design+Construction's monthly Market Intelligence Report offers a snapshot of the health of the U.S. building construction industry, including the commercial, multifamily, institutional, and industrial building sectors. This report tracks the latest metrics related to construction spending, demand for design services, contractor backlogs, and material price trends.

Mixed-use affordable housing rendering
MFPRO+ New Projects | Apr 16, 2024

Marvel-designed Gowanus Green will offer 955 affordable rental units in Brooklyn

The community consists of approximately 955 units of 100% affordable housing, 28,000 sf of neighborhood service retail and community space, a site for a new public school, and a new 1.5-acre public park.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
Construction Costs | Apr 16, 2024

How the new prevailing wage calculation will impact construction labor costs

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, two pivotal changes in federal construction labor dynamics are likely to exacerbate increasing construction labor costs, according to Gordian's Samuel Giffin.

Mexico’s TecSalud Health Sciences Campus is under design
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 16, 2024

Mexico’s ‘premier private academic health center’ under design

The design and construction contract for what is envisioned to be “the premier private academic health center in Mexico and Latin America” was recently awarded to The Beck Group. The TecSalud Health Sciences Campus will be located at Tec De Monterrey’s flagship healthcare facility, Zambrano Hellion Hospital, in Monterrey, Mexico.

Image by Jason Goh from Pixabay
Market Data | Apr 16, 2024

The average U.S. contractor has 8.2 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of March 2024

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.2 months in March from 8.1 months in February, according to an ABC member survey conducted March 20 to April 3. The reading is down 0.5 months from March 2023.

HGA unveils plans to transform an abandoned rock quarry into a new research and innovation campus for Cell Signaling Technology (CST). Rendering courtesy HGA
Laboratories | Apr 15, 2024

HGA unveils plans to transform an abandoned rock quarry into a new research and innovation campus

In the coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., an abandoned rock quarry will be transformed into a new research and innovation campus designed by HGA. The campus will reuse and upcycle the granite left onsite. The project for Cell Signaling Technology (CST), a life sciences technology company, will turn an environmentally depleted site into a net-zero laboratory campus, with building electrification and onsite renewables.

Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay - ICC eliminates building electrification provisions from 2024 update
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2024

ICC eliminates building electrification provisions from 2024 update

The International Code Council stripped out provisions from the 2024 update to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that would have included beefed up circuitry for hooking up electric appliances and car chargers.

Image by Jürgen Polle from Pixabay - Popular Denver e-bike voucher program aids carbon reduction goals
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2024

Popular Denver e-bike voucher program aids carbon reduction goals

Denver’s e-bike voucher program that helps citizens pay for e-bikes, a component of the city’s carbon reduction plan, has proven extremely popular with residents. Earlier this year, Denver’s effort to get residents to swap some motor vehicle trips for bike trips ran out of vouchers in less than 10 minutes after the program opened to online applications.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay - Life science construction completions will peak this year, then drop off substantially
Laboratories | Apr 12, 2024

Life science construction completions will peak this year, then drop off substantially

There will be a record amount of construction completions in the U.S. life science market in 2024, followed by a dramatic drop in 2025, according to CBRE. In 2024, 21.3 million sf of life science space will be completed in the 13 largest U.S. markets. That’s up from 13.9 million sf last year and 5.6 million sf in 2022.

boombox1
boombox2

Top Articles

native1

More In Category

Urban Planning

Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans

Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.

Libraries

Reasons to reinvent the Midcentury academic library

DLR Group's Interior Design Leader Gretchen Holy, Assoc. IIDA, shares the idea that a designer's responsibility to embrace a library’s history, respect its past, and create an environment that will serve student populations for the next 100 years.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021