STEVE HALL © Hedrich Blessing
The Reflecting Pool at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which is part of its water recycling system.
LEED-ing the Way By ANNE WALLS
Exploring some of the
most ecofriendly
in the United States.
GARY POPE/Courtesy Flickr
Courtesy Greenhouse Loft Photography
Right: Rapid Operations Center. Center: Green Exchange. Far right: Majestic 12 movie theater.
KRISTEN DUNN/The Rapidian
A Tennessee movie theater. A Michigan art museum and a bus terminal. An Illinois business park. These public buildings in the United States may seem like a random group, much like the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz.” However, behind the wizard’s curtain, these structures have one thing in common—they are all green. Not Emerald City green, but ecofriendly. These buildings are all LEED-certified. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a “green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.” To receive LEED certification, buildings and other projects need to meet a series of prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification, like Silver, Gold and Platinum. According to the Chicago Tribune, “by using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.”
GREEN BUILDINGS
public buildings