Georgia Tech requires LEED Gold for all new buildings and renovations

The Georgia Institute of Technology is once again taking a leadership position in the area of sustainable design and energy management. Georgia Tech is currently updating its Facilities Design Standards to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards as set by the U.S. Green Building Council. Energy Ace, Inc., an Atlanta-based sustainability consulting firm helping architects, engineers, construction managers, building owners and developers design, create and operate energy efficient, sustainable environments assisted Tech in preparing the Standards upgrade.

Georgia Tech gained recognition in the higher education arena when it crafted standards in 2004 requiring all building projects, including new construction and renovation projects, to be designed and built to LEED Silver criteria. The standards include measures for sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Energy Ace assisted Georgia Tech in drafting the 2004 guidelines. The sustainability firm also has assisted the Institute on numerous energy improvement programs, including energy audits on more than 40 buildings around the Tech campus.

Georgia Tech has more than 10 buildings on campus meeting LEED certification guidelines with additional projects in development.