What is LEED and LEED Certificate?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most preferred green building rating system in Turkiye and the world. The system evaluates the structures of buildings according to their level of environmental friendliness; it grades and certifies buildings based on criteria such as energy use, environmental impact, and the comfort of the people inside.

LEED Certificate, is a system developed by USGBC to rate green buildings. The purpose of the certificate is to develop and disseminate environmentally sensitive design, implementation and operation standards at the building and city scale. It aims to promote energy efficiency and water saving, healthy and high performance buildings. The evaluation area of the certificate, which has been awarded since 1998, has been developed to appeal to a wider audience and to more accurately represent green building technologies.

Bayer Headquarters | LEED Gold 

As Diem Mühendislik Mimarlık; we have been involved in sustainability and environmentally friendly building projects for more than 15 years. By taking part in projects with prestigious certificates such as Bream, LEED Gold and Platinum, we offer innovative and sustainable solutions beyond green building standards. We have reinforced our experience and expertise in the sector by providing a wide range of services from design to implementation and fit-out projects. We adopt the mission of leaving a more livable world to future generations by realizing environmentally friendly and energy efficient building projects.

Which Buildings Can Receive LEED Certificate?

With LEED green building criteria, it is possible to obtain certification from the neighborhood scale to small commercial interiors. Each rating system includes different building options. LEED New Buildings certification is suitable for building types such as office, residence, warehouse, hospital, school, etc.

P&G Headquarters | LEED Gold 

What are the LEED Certification Levels?

Buildings evaluated for LEED Certification are scored according to measurements such as energy efficiency, resource utilization and carbon emissions. In order to receive a certificate, a minimum of 40 points out of 110 must be earned. As the points increase, the certification level rises to silver, gold and platinum.

Point ranges and levels for LEED Certifications:

• LEED  Certified 40-49 puan
• LEED  Silver 50-59 puan
• LEED Gold 60-79 puan
• LEED Platinum 80-110 puan

BASF Innovation Center | LEED Gold

How to Obtain LEED Certification?

The LEED Certificate is issued by the USGBC. The evaluation of the points that the buildings will receive is carried out by accredited organizations.

Among the organizations working in the green building sector; LEED AP (Accredited Professional) can be obtained as a result of paying various application fees to USGBC, receiving trainings and passing the necessary exams.

APs are LEED Consultants for buildings applying for LEED Certification. The consultants assess whether the buildings meet the prerequisites for achieving Green Building Certification, evaluate the scoring criteria and identify strategies that can be followed to meet the criteria.

Evaluation Categories of LEED Certification

2016 yılından beri uygulanan en güncel LEED versiyonuna göre değerlendirme başlıkları ve maksimum puanlar aşağıdaki gibi listelenmektedir.

1. Sustainable Sites- 10 Points

Under sustainable landscapes, reducing construction-related pollution and preventing soil erosion are LEED Certification Prerequisites. Other objectives include assessing existing land and building use prior to design, protecting, restoring and enhancing natural areas, reducing carbon emissions, reintroducing quality rainwater to the ecosystem, reducing the heat island effect and light pollution.

2. Water Efficiency – 11 Points

Water use is one of the cornerstones of today's environmental and sustainability issues. Reducing the amount of water used and recycling wastewater back into nature are the focus areas of this category. Using alternative water sources, increasing treatment techniques, reducing water consumption in buildings and irrigation and developing efficient strategies for these issues are targeted.

Enerjisa Enerji Üretim Genel Merkes Ofis | LEED Gold

3. Energy and Atmosphere - 33 Points

It is the most critical and high-scoring category of the LEED Certification process. Green buildings should keep their energy consumption under control with advanced technology strategies. The assessment includes objectives such as ensuring that the buildings' heating, cooling and ventilation systems support energy efficiency and that the materials used during construction are selected to optimize energy consumption.

4. Materials and Resources - 13 Points

The main objectives are to reduce the use of raw materials and resources, reduce the amount of waste and increase recycling. During the procurement and use of raw materials, building materials should cause minimal damage to the environment and use as few resources as possible. The impact on human health and nature is also very important. In addition, the materials used should be able to be utilized in another area when they complete their life in a building.

5. Indoor Enviromental Quality- 16 Points

Also called indoor environmental quality, it includes criteria such as increasing the standard of living in the indoor environment, using healthy materials, orienting towards configurations that will contribute to people's social lives, reducing pollution and factors that increase pollution, reducing the use of radioactive devices, and keeping clean air quality under control.

6. Innovation - 6 Points

Promoting innovation and certification during building design, construction and experience. The promotion of environmentally friendly performance practices throughout the building design, construction and occupancy processes is also assessed.

7. Regional Priority - 4 Points

These are the scores that can be obtained under the sub-headings determined by USGBC according to the region where the building is located.

8. Location and Transport - 16 Points

Issues such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, i.e. carbon footprints, resulting from the transportation activities of the people in the building, the fact that the building is not built on natural resources and, if possible, nearby, that it is close to social living areas, and that it has green areas are evaluated.