A Comparison of Green Building Frameworks through Criteria Analysis

Abstract

The world is quickly changing, so improvements need to be made in our fight against climate change. Reacting to climate change has caused the creation of numerous rating systems such as LEED, BREEAM, and Green Mark. All of these rating systems were found to have some subcategories that assessed cultural preservation. Using the scorecard of one building with a platinum-level LEED certification, it was translated to BREEAM and Green Mark; each score differed substantially due to the different criteria. A chart was set up to transfer the points achieved by the LEED building into multiple rating systems. It was concluded that to determine if a building is truly sustainable, it must be assessed by multiple rating systems. It also became clear that points for simple bike racks and public transportation were given frequently and acted as buffer points. These less impactful categories allowed it to mask if the building lost points in energy consumption or carbon emissions. The cost of becoming deemed a “truly” sustainable building has frequently increased in the past decade. On the other hand, large corporations that can afford to put thousands of dollars into getting assessed may have better chances of getting a higher score. In addition to this, vernacular structures must be promoted due to the significant impact it has on a society. Overall, the difficulty in achieving green building certifications and the lack of substantial rating categories affect the quality of green architecture in the United States.