Content Design Group provides full service Sustainability and LEED Consulting services. We offer feasibility studies for projects considering LEED Certification, as well as general Sustainability reviews for existing and new projects. Our newest service focuses on providing LEED Administration for General Contractors, to help with submittal reviews, sub-contractor LEED training, and coordination tasks related to the overall LEED process.

Below is a list of a few of the projects that we have consulted on previously:

Commercial/Mixed Use

• Covington Professional Building, Covington, GA – LEED CS Certified 2011
• Covington Professional Building – Tenant Build Out, Covington, GA – LEED CI Certified 2011
• Maharam Fabric Showroom, Atlanta, GA – LEED CI Silver 2007
• DCO Lighting Facility & Showroom, Tupelo, MS – LEED CI Certified 2007
• Streets of Buckhead, Atlanta, GA – Schematic Phase LEED study 2007
• Windmark, Destin, FL - LEED analysis to develop standards for future phases of construction 2007

Governmental

• GSA, Federal Courthouse & Office Building, Tuscaloosa, AL – LEED NC Silver 2011
• ACC Water Business Office Customer Service Center, Athens, GA – LEED NC Gold 2011
• ACC Police Headquarters Renovation, Athens, GA – LEED NC Certified 2011
• Elbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Annex, Atlanta, GA – LEED NC Silver 2010
• EPD Air Quality Testing Facility, Davie, FL – LEED NC Silver 2009
• Atlanta Public Health & Safety Headquarters, Atlanta, GA – LEED NC Silver 2008
• Airport Fire Station #33, Hartsfield Jackson, Atlanta, GA – LEED NC Certified 2007

Educational

• Thatcher Hall – Darlington Middle School, Rome, GA – LEED for Schools Gold 2010
• Alabama 4-H Environmental Education Center, Columbiana, AL – LEED NC Gold 2008
• The Suites – Spelman College Residence Hall & Dining, Atlanta, GA – LEED NC Silver 2008
• GSU Recreation Activity Center Expansion, Statesboro, GA – LEED NC Certified 2008

The below is a bit of information about LEED and LEED for Homes provided by the U.S. Green Building Council.

What is LEED?
LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000 through a consensus based process, LEED serves as a tool for buildings of all types and sizes. LEED certification offers third party validation of a project’s green features and verifies that the building is operating exactly the way it was designed to.

What are the benefits of LEED certification?
LEED certification is third-party validation of a building’s performance. LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance. They cost less to operate and maintain; are energy- and water-efficient; have higher lease-up rates than conventional buildings in their markets; are healthier and safer for occupants; and are a physical demonstration of the values of the organizations that own and occupy them. For more information: www.usgbc.org.

For information and more FAQs about LEED Certification see the following document: LEED Green Building Certification System

What is LEED for Homes?
LEED for Homes is a consensus-developed, third party-verified rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. LEED for Homes measures a home’s performance based on eight categories: site selection, water efficiency, materials & resources, energy & atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, location & linkages, awareness & education, and innovation. Within each of these areas, projects earn points toward certification.

Each LEED-certified home undergoes onsite inspections and thorough performance testing to ensure proper performance. LEED for Homes is applicable to single family and multifamilyhomes and is intended for both market-rate and affordable housing.

Why should I consider buying a LEED-certified home?
A home that achieves LEED certification has been designed to maximize fresh air indoors, minimizing exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants, and has the potential to use 20-30% less energy – and some up to 60% less – than a home built to the International Energy Code Council’s 2006 code. Less energy use means lower utility bills every month throughout the life of the house.

Beyond energy, achieving LEED certification is a mark of leadership in green homebuilding, clearly differentiating a home as among the best in the country. LEED is like the nutrition label that demonstrates in measurable terms how a home incorporates efficient features, with the added assurance that the final product has been third party-verified and performance tested.

What is the difference between LEED for Homes and other green home programs?
LEED is a national, third-party certification system for green homebuilding. It is designed to recognize leadership, so the program is rigorous and focused on measurable results. LEED for Homes features lots of support for builders who choose to work with the rating system, including Reference Guides, instructor-led workshops and online courses.

There are many other highly regarded local and regional green home building programs in the U.S. Each of these programs is unique, with its own specifications and requirements. By reviewing the checklists for LEED and other available green programs, you can choose the rating system that works best for your goals.

For information and more FAQs about LEED for Homes see the following documents: LEED for Homes FAQ for Builders / Developers and LEED for Homes FAQ for Homeowners.

Benefits of a LEED Home from U.S. Green Building Council on Vimeo.