by Brianna Crandall — February 28, 2011—More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments.
Utilizing a prototype-based approach, the program enables large-scale organizational builders and operators to deliver a consistent end product, earning LEED certification faster and at a lower cost than would be possible with individual building reviews. The certification program was designed to meet industry needs for a streamlined approach to certifying like buildings and spaces across a company’s portfolio.
Acknowledging that organizations can best identify the uniformity and similarities of their projects, the program is flexible in allowing owners to define the criteria for grouping similar buildings and the prototype LEED credits they plan to pursue. The volume approach also facilitates bulk purchasing and advance ordering of materials, reduced consultancy requirements, more efficient internal processes, greater speed to market, and more precise documentation of corporate sustainability efforts.
Companies that have been certified in the program include: Cushman & Wakefield, Bentall Kennedy, Best Buy, Marriott Hotels, Kohl’s Department Stores, and PNC Financial Services Group.
Later in 2011, USGBC will introduce volume certification for existing buildings’ operations and maintenance, currently in pilot. For more information about the LEED Volume Program, visit the Web site.
