Modular buildings support sustainable construction practices through the following: reliance on recycling & reuse, reduced demand for raw materials, less site disturbance and increased energy efficiency. Learn more about modular construction’s efforts to promote the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program.

1. Modular
Construction
Supports
LEED

2. What is LEED?
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is
a green-building initiative that certifies building projects
with a rating system based on satisfying best-in-class
building strategies and practices.
LEED aims to transform the way buildings and
communities are designed, constructed, maintained and
operated. Certified buildings save money and resources and
have a positive impact on promoting renewable, clean
energy and the health of their occupants.

3. How Does Modular
Building Support LEED?
Modular building supports sustainable construction
practices through the following:
Less Material Waste
Reliance on Recycle & Reuse
Reduced Demand for Raw Materials
Less Site Disturbance
Increased Energy Efficiency

4. The Modular Building Industry
is able to meet
all levels of LEED standards,
as appropriate for their projects.

5. Levels of LEED Certification
Certified Silver Gold Platinum
40-49
points
50-59
points
60-79
points
80+
points

6. LEED Certification
Areas of Focus

7. Location & Transportation
This category focuses on the decisions made about building
location and encourages compact development, alternative
transportation and developing areas with diverse uses.
Credits awarded for:
sensitive land protection, surrounding diverse areas, access
to transit, bicycle facilities, reduced parking footprint,
promotion of green vehicles

8. Sustainable Sites
This category puts emphasis on the relationship between
buildings and the surrounding environments and
integrating the building with local and regional ecosystems.
Requirements: construction pollution reduction
Credits awarded for: site development that protects or
restores habitat, the use of open space, rainwater
management, heat island reduction, light pollution
reduction

9. Water Efficiency
This category looks at the use of water indoors and
outdoors, specialized uses of water and water metering,
focusing on an “efficiency first” approach.
Requirements: indoor and outdoor water use reduction,
building-level water metering
Credits awarded for: further indoor and outdoor water use
reduction, cooling tower water use, water metering

10. Energy & Atmosphere
This category rewards energy use reduction, energy-
efficient design and the use of renewable energy resources.
Requirements: fundamental commissioning and
verification, minimum energy performance, building-level
energy metering, fundamental refrigerant management
Credits awarded for: enhanced commissioning, optimized
energy performance, advanced energy metering, renewable
energy production, green power, carbon offsets

11. Materials & Resources
This category focuses on minimizing the impacts of
extracting, processing, transporting, maintaining and
disposing of building materials.
Requirements: collection of recyclables, construction &
demolition waste management
Credits awarded for: building life-cycle impact reduction,
disclosing and optimizing environmental products
declarations; sourcing of raw materials; and material
ingredients

12. Indoor Environmental Quality
This category assesses the choices made internally that
address air quality and thermal, visual and acoustic comfort.
Choices promote the health and comfort of the building
occupants.
Requirements: minimum air quality performance,
environmental tobacco smoke control
Credits awarded for: enhanced air quality strategies, low-
emitting materials, air quality management plan, thermal
comfort, interior lighting, daylight, quality views, acoustic
performance

13. Innovation
This category recognizes projects that include innovation
building features and sustainable building practice.
Credits awarded for:
innovation that achieves significant, measurable
environmental performance not addressed in other rating
areas, working with a LEED Accredited Professional

14. Regional Priority
This category looks at the specific environmental issues and
priorities for the region in which the project is taking place.
Credits awarded for:
addressing geographically specific environmental, social or
public health priorities

15. Sources: www.usgbc.org