LEED, (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a program managed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the primary program that guides the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The LEED program and the Green Building Certification Institute “provide third-party verification of green buildings. Building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification.” LEED certification is increasingly sought by museums undergoing renovation or new construction for the environmental benefits it brings as well as the cache it lends. LEED design goals are used as tools for fundraising and certified ratings are trumpeted in post-opening press releases. At a time when conservators worldwide grapple with reevaluating environmental control guidelines and other elements of the exhibit and storage environment, LEED guided museum projects add additional complexity to the equation of how to create and manage suitable environmental and lighting environments. As museums seek to improve their record on sustainability, it behooves conservators to understand how to work with the system. An overview of the alternate programs to LEED will also be given to familiarize conservators with the differences.

Working with a project architect to achieve platinum, gold, or silver certification shouldn’t feel like an Olympic medal event. This paper will present an overview of the prerequisites and credit systems for the LEED programs most relevant to museums, and will highlight areas which have become points of contention on museum projects. With a better understanding of the program’s vocabulary, goals and methods, conservators will be better prepared to discuss with colleagues, administrators and architects the implications of various “green” choices for the long-term care of museum collections.