Nathalie Weinstein//September 20, 2010//
Boutiques and grocery stores will soon have under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
Retail spaces can currently become LEED-certified under the . But retailers found certain LEED requirements to be prohibitive, causing the USGBC to explore a standard that caters specifically to retail spaces, according to Ralph Dinola of Portland’s Green Building Services. Dinola participated in the development of the LEED for Retail Rating Systems, which is set for release this fall.
“One thing a typical LEED for Commercial Interiors project needs is bike storage and shower facilities,” Dinola said. “It’s hard for a retailer to readily provide showers for staff. For LEED for Retail, retailers will have to provide a changing room but not a shower. We’re trying to be realistic and practical.”
Once the new certification is released this fall, retailers will no longer be able to apply under LEED for Commercial Interiors and will have to meet the requirements of LEED for Retail.