Chicago: A LEEDing City in Design and Architecture

Over the past 15 years, Chicago has been transforming into a very sustainable city.  One of the major factors in doing so is having new construction, existing buildings, and renovations being LEED certified.  This is so fantastic not only for the environment but also for the city and people of Chicago.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy Efficient Design.  I am a certified LEED AP (accredited professional) myself and I am so fascinated to learn that more and more buildings throughout the city are aiming to be LEED certified.  The intent of LEED is to assist in creation of high performance, healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound commercial interiors.  The five main categories of LEED certification are:
*Sustainable Sites
*Water Efficiency
*Energy and Atmosphere
*Indoor Environmental Quality
*Innovation in Design

Within these five components there are dozens of sub-categories that enable buildings to ultimately become LEED certified.  Certification is based on a point/rating system that rate buildings as either Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Certified.

I don't want to bore you all with facts on top of facts but I just wanted to give you all an introduction to LEED.  Here are just a few buildings in Chicago that are LEED certified:

111 S. Wacker Drive

111 S. Wacker Drive-LEED Gold Rated

Bucktown/Wicker Park Public Library-right in my hood!

Chicago Center for Green Technology-first rehabilitated building in the US to receive LEED Platinum rating in 2002.

Northwest Pavilion in Millennium Park-LEED Silver Rated

Target in Tinley Park