These days everyone and their Mothers claims to have a LEED certified building, but the committee has recently reconsidered its initial constraints about applying itself only to building structure. The new future of LEED certified buildings acknowledges the environmental impact of the specific natural habitat that a structure is erected upon.

The truly platinum rated buildings will now not only have to comply with the highest energy efficiency standards but also take into account the soil, the vegetation and the hydrology of the building’s surroundings. In doing so these green builders must be sure to preserve in its totality, if not improve, the quality of life for the surrounding habitat. Already the innovation of green builders is beginning to work in synergy with the environment in which they’re building.

Some of the fruits of their labor have already shown improvement by builders using plants in order to filter the building’s water; thus both irrigating a plant population as well as cleaning the water for the entire premises. Additionally they have engineered new ways to use natural vegetation to provide shade for buildings, enhance mental health and draw people out into the landscape to care for the plants around them. More information about how green-architects are managing to include natural habitats into building structures is provided below.

Discussion question: Do you know of any LEED certified buildings in your area?

News Article Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/garden/08garden.html?pagewanted=1

Information about LEED certified buildings:
http://whygreenbuildings.com/blog/world_of_environmental_design/kandalama.jpg
http://www.jetsongreen.com/images/2008/01/27/gram2.jpg
http://www.thelucida.com/images/mobile/arch/intro.jpg
http://blogs.nationaltrust.org/preservationnation/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/2007_1106image0231.JPG
http://i.treehugger.com/files/th_images/0608hearsTower_lg.jpg