Georgia Tech Striving for LEED Gold

The Georgia Institute of Technology has updated its Facilities Design Standards (The Yellow Book) to meet LEED Gold standards or higher as set by the U.S. Green Building Council.  Energy Ace, Inc., an Atlanta-based sustainability consulting firm, assisted Tech in preparing the Standards upgrade.

According to their website, “Georgia Tech has one of the most advanced and forward-thinking documents in the college and university arena for environmental stewardship, sustainable design and energy management. The Yellow Book provides guidance to design and construction professionals who provide these services for Georgia Tech.”

Georgia Tech gained recognition in the higher education arena when it crafted standards in 2007 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. 

As of April, Tech has 4 LEED certified buildings spanning Classrooms, Administration, Athletics, and Housing buildings. Tech has many more buildings built to LEED Silver Standards or renovated to LEED Silver Standards.  Georgia Tech has over 4,000,00 square feet of sustainable buildings in over 40 structures.