Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

USGBC Publishes Catalog of LEED Innovation & Design Points Online

Words: Mustafa AbadanBuilding project teams pursuing certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System now have the opportunity to view the Innovation & Design Credit Catalog – a listing of proven green building strategies that have been submitted and utilized by LEED Certified projects.

Building projects earn Innovation & Design LEED credits by demonstrating quantifiable environmental benefits through new strategies and techniques not specifically specified in the LEED Rating System – innovative strategies and techniques that go above and beyond. Points, or credits, are awarded to projects that develop innovative solutions, employ new technologies and educate or demonstrate commendable performance. When submitting an Innovation & Design credit, projects must outline the proposed innovative credit intent, requirements for compliance, and a summary of potential approaches that meet the requirements.

"The Innovation & Design credit category inspires new ideas and solutions that yield environmental benefits," said Brendan Owens, Vice President of LEED Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council. "By publishing the catalog of credits online, we hope to inspire further breakthroughs in the green building industry."

The LEED Rating System is the USGBC's voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings, which are more environmentally responsible, healthier, and more profitable structures. LEED addresses a variety of buildings and building project types through individualized systems, including: new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core & shell, homes and neighborhood development.

To view the Innovation & Design Credit Catalog visit www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3569
 0
Four Home Design Trends Driving Masonry Demand in 2026
July 2026

As design trends continue to evolve, one theme remains consistent throughout 2026: homeowners want spaces that feel intentional, comfortable and enduring. According to Westlake Royal Building Products’ TrendLine platform, today's most influential trends e

Sarah Lograsso
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More
The Modern Masonry Saw: Safety, Efficiency, and Smarter Cutting
July 2026

Masonry is a craft built on precision, strength, and durability. At the heart of every successful masonry project is one essential tool: the masonry saw. As technology evolves, so does the role of the saw on the jobsite. Today’s contractors are not just l

Bryant Figueroa
Technical Talks
Read More
Getting the Finish Right on Burnished CMU
July 2026

The wall is complete. The lines are crisp. The coursing is tight, and the burnished CMU delivers exactly the refined appearance the design team envisioned. After weeks of coordination and careful installation, the project is final

Technical Talks
Read More
Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing

John Cicciarelli
Case Study
Read More