Comments on: LEED Is Driving Me Crazy

By: Jameson Detweiler

Jameson Detweiler — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:23:00 +0000

Cody, maybe it didn’t come across properly. LEED does need to be complex, and that’s why we have LEED APs. My main point is that most people don’t even really know what LEED is. It would be nice for USGBC to have more material with easy to comprehend concepts, especially on their website.

By: Jameson Detweiler

Jameson Detweiler — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:23:19 +0000

Cody, maybe it didn't come across properly. LEED does need to be complex, and that's why we have LEED APs. My main point is that most people don't even really know what LEED is. It would be nice for USGBC to have more material with easy to comprehend concepts, especially on their website.

By: Cody A. Ray

Cody A. Ray — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:37:24 +0000

"If the average person off the street picked up a LEED reference guide, they would not be able to comprehend half of it."

While I agree that the material is complex, LEED reference guides are not aimed at the "average individual off the street". The LEED standard is written by and for building professionals who need frequent access to the technical material without wading through pages of introductory material aimed at building consumers.

"reference existing standards for a large portion of the credits, it makes it quite confusing for someone trying to get started with LEED."

For the same reasons as above, it is expected that those who take the LEED AP exam have prior knowledge on the subject, as it is targeted at those who will be using the standards on a regular basis. This is the reason that the USGBC created the tiered rating system to lessen these issues; the LEED Green Associate is designed "for professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice [...] which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations."

By: Jameson Detweiler

Jameson Detweiler — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:32:30 +0000

I'm definitely not advocating that we get rid of professionals. I strongly believe that we need experts that understand not just LEED, but sustainability as it relates to building.

What I'm primarily getting at is that the education of the public needs to be better.

By: LEED Certification

LEED Certification — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:28:49 +0000

You've raised some very strong points. Ideally, educating people about the other benefits of LEED does make a big difference. If an aspirant doesn' t have the time however, there is always the option of consulting a green building company to learn of the highs and lows of LEED from the right perspective.

By: ryan

ryan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:52:45 +0000

i haven't even read the post yet, but 2 points for the pic.