Winchester Helps Massachusetts Make Strides in Green Building Design and Construction

A green building in Winchester has helped Massachusetts earn recognition as one of the top states for creating sustainable building space.

Massachusetts was ranked fifth in the US Green Building Council’s Top 10 rankings for LEED-certified building activity, one of the most widely used and recognized green building rating systems.

This annual list, which was released Wednesday, highlights states that are working towards making a more sustainable future by improving building design, construction and maintenance.

Massachusetts made the list with 99 certified projects and 14.66 million square feet of sustainable building space, of which 29,900 square feet of space belongs to Winchester Hospital.

These buildings use less energy and water resources, save money, reduce carbon emissions and create a healthy environment.

“LEED certified buildings and the innovations they have driven contribute substantially to our national economic growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life in the communities where they are found,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair of USGBC, in a press release.

Other LEED-certified buildings in Massachusetts include:

• Unitarian Universalist Association new Headquarters in Boston
• Plymouth North High School in Plymouth
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s 130 Brookline Street in Cambridge
• Athol Public Library in Atho
• Harvard Law School Gannett House in Boston

Grey Lee, executive director of the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter said his chapter is proud to represent those who have worked to make Massachusetts a leader in creating LEED-certified space.

“From major existing building retrofits to innovative design of new and resilient structures, our professionals and advocates are supporting the implementation of best practices in real estate and ensuring Massachusetts remains the market with the best investment opportunities in the country,” Lee said in a press release.

Massachusetts is home to more than 402 USGBC member organizations and has over 7,677 LEED credentialed professionals.

More than 62,000 projects in over 150 countries participate in LEED.

Learn more about the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification system at usgbc.org/LEED.

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