The General Services Administration has increased its sustainability requirements and now mandates LEED Gold for its projects.
Previously, the GSA required LEED Silver, but suggested projects aim for Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Councilās LEED program.
The change was announced by Lace Davis, director of the sustainability office for the GSA, at the Green Legal Matters conference in New Orleans on Oct. 15, and reported in the Washington Business Journal.Ā
However, as noted in the article, the GSA hasnāt updated its material or Website to reflect the change, so questions about the new requirement remained.
BD+C contacted Don Horn, AIA, LEED AP, at the Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, U.S. General Services Administration, and he confirmed the new LEED Gold requirement.
According to Horn: āGSA's Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan released the first week of September includes our new requirement to achieve LEED Gold. Ā An internal memo from Les Shepherd and Bill Guerin, dated 9/24/10, also states the requirement is for new construction and substantial renovation projects.ā
*Update* (Nov. 4, 2010)
The GSA has updated its materials and Website. The official announcement.
Related Stories
Architects | Mar 7, 2018
Balkrishna Doshi named 2018 Pritzker Laureate
Over the course of 70 years, Doshi was instrumental in shaping the discourse of architecture throughout India, from low-cost housing for thousands to landmark projects like the Indian Institute of Management.
Architects | Mar 7, 2018
New National Building Museum exhibit explores the architecture of the Manhattan Project
The exhibit will run through March 3, 2019.
Architects | Feb 27, 2018
But first, let me take a selfie: Designing sharable moments
The concept of āselfie wallsā has been around for years, but with their growing popularity they have begun to evolve and take on a life of their own.
Market Data | Feb 27, 2018
AIA small firm report: Half of employees have ownership stake in their firm
The American Institute of Architects has released itsĀ first-ever Small Firm Compensation Report.
Museums | Feb 26, 2018
*UPDATED* Design team unveils plans for the renovated and expanded Gateway Arch Museum
The goal of the project is to create closer and more robust connections between the Gateway Arch Museum and the landscape of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Architects | Feb 23, 2018
AIA elevates 152 members and two international architects to the College of Fellows
AIA Fellowship recognizes significant contributions to profession of architecture and society. Ā
Airports | Feb 21, 2018
Terminal Modernization: Why Bother? Part II
This is the second post in our series examining why airport operators should bother to upgrade their facilities, even if capacity isnāt forcing the issue.
Urban Planning | Feb 21, 2018
Leading communities in the Second Machine Age
What exactly is theĀ Second Machine Age? The name refers to a book by MIT researchers Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee.
Retail Centers | Feb 20, 2018
Is there a future in retail banking? Part II
It is critical to not view the physical branch as just another sales channel, but as an important touchpoint along a customerās journey.
Architects | Feb 15, 2018
AIASF Equity by Design to launch 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey
AIA San Francisco (AIASF) and the Equity by Design Committee,Ā launched theĀ third national Equity in Architecture SurveyĀ on February 12, 2018. Building upon the survey conducted in 2016, the third survey will further advance the national movement for equitable practice in the profession.