The vast majority of public owners (87%) are familiar with LEED energy efficient “green” building standards and more than two-thirds (70%) use LEED standards in their designs, according to a Pinnacle One study published by Building Design & Construction. Owners in the education sector were more than twice as likely as others to use green building standards.

Although the study shows that LEED awareness is highest on the West coast and the Northeast, St. Louis is certainly on the cutting edge with LEED standards incorporated into such projects as The Security Building, the St. Louis Community College West Campus; CitiMortgage in O’Fallon, MO; the Express Scripts building at UMSL; the Monsanto Data Center; the SLU Health Science Center Research Building and many many others.

St. Louis architectural firm The Lawrence Group is preparing more than 30 staff for LEED accreditation through “LGA LEEDers,” a study group led by LEED accredited employees who mentor other interested employees within the company.

Learn more about local LEED initiatives at the St. Louis Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.