Although the U.S. Green Building Council is just one of the many members of the World Green Building Council, the organization certifies buildings around the world.  This week, a data center in Frankfurt, Germany, was awarded LEED Platinum certification by the USGBC.  

 

LEED certification isn’t reserved for buildings here in the States; the Citi Data Center in Frankfurt, Germany was recently awarded LEED Platinum certification using the new construction 2.2 checklist.  Some of the features that earned the facility the highest certification level offered include a living roof (covering 72 percent of the roof), a living wall, a 70 percent reduction in power compared to non-green data centers, and a rainwater harvesting system.

 

Although Citigroup is being significantly affected by the current worldwide financial crisis, the company still focuses on its sustainability measures.  

 

The School of Management and Academic Building on the campus of Simmons College in Boston has received LEED Gold certification.  The building has only been open since January 2009 but the green design features are expected to lead to a 34 percent reduction in water use and a 38 percent reduction in energy use.  Simmons College joins Harvard Business School and Suffolk University as the only academic institutions in Boston to have achieved LEED Gold certification.

 

The Kohl’s department store prototype has received LEED Silver certification.  Additionally, two Kohl’s stores received LEED Silver certification and one reached LEED certification.  The prototype store will be used to assist other stores in achieving LEED certification.  

 

“Characteristics of Kohl's LEED new store prototype and stores constructed according to it include on-site recycling, water-efficient landscaping, regionally sourced building materials and construction activity pollution prevention. These environmentally responsible characteristics play a key role in helping Kohl's reduce waste, reduce emissions and conserve resources.“  Source:  Kohl’s

 

If you have a LEED certified project that you’d like to see featured in my Weekly LEED roundup, leave a note here or send me a message on Twitter - @MommyMellie.