Recognition & Responsibility: An Introduction to Green Building Rating Systems

In the dynamic world of design and construction, where innovation meets responsibility, the concept of sustainability has taken center stage. As the clamor for environmentally conscious and occupant-friendly spaces grows, certification programs have emerged as beacons of validation, ushering in a new era of responsible design. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of three prominent certification programs—LEED, BREEAM, and WELL—and explore their differences, their strengths, and the impact they can have on project publicity, validation, and consumer trust.

Certification Programs: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into their impact, let's understand what these certification programs are all about:

1. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): Spearheaded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED sets the standard for sustainable building design and construction. It evaluates a project's environmental performance across various criteria, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and materials selection.

2. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): Originating from the UK, BREEAM is a holistic assessment method that considers a building's entire life cycle. It evaluates sustainability across categories such as energy, land use, and social aspects.

3. WELL Building Standard: Focused on occupant well-being, the WELL Building Standard, developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), goes beyond traditional sustainability. It emphasizes factors like air quality, water quality, and fitness to create spaces that support health.

	LEED	BREEAM	WELL
Purpose	Assess environmental performance and sustainability	Evaluate sustainable building practices	Focus on occupant health and well-being
Authority	U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)	Building Research Establishment (BRE)	International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
Scope	Comprehensive, covering energy, water, materials, etc	Holistic, considers a building's entire life cycle	Focus on factors affecting occupant health and wellness
Main Focus Areas	Energy efficiency, water conservation, materials, etc	Environmental impact, social aspects, economic considerations	Air quality, water quality, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort
Global Recognition	Projects in over 175 countries	Projects in more than 80 countries	Projects in more than 60 countries
Life Cycle Consideration	Limited emphasis on building life cycle	Considers the entire life cycle, from planning to operation	Emphasizes occupant well-being throughout the life cycle
Occupant Health Focus	Moderate emphasis on indoor environmental quality	Emphasis on occupant health and well-being, but not the primary focus	Strong focus on creating environments that support health
Rigor of Evaluation	Rigorous evaluation, with a comprehensive point-based system	Rigorous evaluation, with detailed scoring in various categories	Rigorous evaluation, with specific performance metrics
Scientific Involvement	Engages with scientific research but is more industry-oriented	Collaborates with research institutions, integrating scientific findings	Actively involves scientific experts in shaping standards
Main Industries	Commercial real estate, education, healthcare, government	​Commercial real estate, infrastructure, residential	Commercial real estate, hospitality, healthcare, residential
Typical Project Type	​Office buildings, educational institutions, healthcare facilities	Commercial buildings, residential developments, infrastructure	Office spaces, retail spaces, residential buildings
Country of Origin	USA	UK	USA
Certification Levels	Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum	Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding	Silver, Gold, Platinum
Well-Known Projects	​One Central Park (Sydney), Bank of America Tower (New York), The Edge (Amsterdam)	​The Crystal (London), The Edge (Amsterdam), Central Saint Giles (London)	​PNC Tower (Pittsburgh), Cundall Sydney (Sydney), 100 Bishopsgate (London)

The Impact on Project Publicity:

Achieving certification from these programs is a badge of honor, signaling to the world that a project is committed to environmental responsibility and occupant well-being. It transforms a project into a showcase, attracting attention from industry peers, media, and potential clients. Each of these certification programs publishes promotional media, where they share winning projects and drive visibility to your project or firm. This can help a project break out of architecture-focused platforms onto more diverse media channels, like those introducing sustainability and innovation to other fields.

Each program provides 'winning' projects with physical plaques to be mounted along the facade, giving passersby a deeper level of understanding (and often, respect) for the building, and increasing interest and visibility in their local neighborhoods.

The Power of Validation:

Certifications serve as tangible proof that a project meets rigorous sustainability and health standards. In a world flooded with design options, having a LEED, BREEAM, or WELL certification elevates a project from the ordinary to the exceptional. It provides a sense of validation that goes beyond aesthetic appeal, assuring stakeholders that the project aligns with the highest standards of responsible design.

Building Consumer Trust:

In an era where consumers are increasingly eco-conscious, these certifications become powerful tools for building trust. Potential occupants, investors, and clients are more likely to trust a project that has been rigorously evaluated for sustainability and well-being. It becomes a statement of accountability, showcasing a commitment to not only the present but also the future well-being of the environment and its inhabitants.

To better understand the unique strengths of LEED, BREEAM, and WELL certifications, we've prepared detailed comparison tables. These tables break down the specific categories each program evaluates, allowing you to see at a glance where their focuses lie.

What do the different programs evaluate?

EVALUATION CATEGORIES	LEED	BREEAM	WELL
Energy Efficiency
Water Conservation
Materials Selection
Indoor Environmental Quality
Site Sustainability
Transportation
Innovation
Social Impact
Economic Impact
Life Cycle Assessment
Occupant Health & Well-Being
Fitness & Comfort

Critiques of Certification Programs:

While these certification programs play a crucial role in promoting sustainability, they are not without their critics. Some common critiques include:

1. Complexity and Cost: Critics argue that the certification process can be complex and expensive, potentially limiting accessibility for smaller projects or organizations with budget constraints.

2. Emphasis on New Construction: The focus on new construction projects may sideline the potential impact of retrofitting existing buildings, which form a significant part of the built environment.

3. Standardization Challenges: Achieving standardization across diverse building types, locations, and cultural contexts can be challenging, leading to concerns about the adaptability and relevance of certain criteria.

4. Limited Occupant Input: Some argue that the occupant well-being criteria, while present, might not fully capture the diverse needs and preferences of building occupants.

While these critiques are valid, they suggest a need for the continuing development of these programs. Increasing access and constant re-evaluation of the criteria, especially as scientific knowledge compounds, will be an important factor for each program's future relevance and impact. For now, it's a great start for the industry and consumers alike.