Today, it’s not enough for the projects we build to be big, beautiful, and functional. With the need for renewable energy sources more apparent than ever, our buildings must be sustainable, too. According to Smith College, sustainable (or “green”) buildings are those that undergo a comprehensive process of design and construction that employs techniques to minimize adverse environmental impacts and reduce energy consumption.
One of the most well-known markers of a sustainable building is LEED certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification program focused primarily on new commercial building projects and based upon a points system. The more points earned, the higher the rating.
These seven firms — the top ranking in ENR’s 2018 Green Buildings Contractors — are leading the way in this area of construction, implementing sustainable practices across their projects to not only minimize their environmental impact but also to gain a competitive advantage amid growing prioritization of climate change mitigation and corporate governance.