575 Fifth Avenue was designed to be a LEED Gold certified building. Not many affordable housing buildings are LEED certified due to cost, but 575 Fifth Ave sought to challenge that notion and ensure access to quality and sustainable environments for lower income residents.

LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project. LEED certification is recognized across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building. See information about LEED Homes here.

LEED rating analyzes a building through several different criteria:

• Innovation and Design Process – special credits for unusual things

• Location and Linkages – how does the home relate to the area around it

• Sustainable Sites – measures the project’s impact on the site

• Water Efficiency – measures water efficiency

• Energy and Atmosphere – measures energy efficiency

• Materials and Resources – how does it relate to the area around it

• Indoor Environmental Quality – reducing pollutant exposure

• Awareness and Education – are the occupants aware of the features

There are four levels of LEED Certification Possible

• Certified (the minimum – 40-49 points)

• Silver (50-59 points)

• Gold (60-79 points)

• Platinum (80+ points)