LEEDing the way: using the green building movement and the LEED rating system as tools to further the preservation movement

This thesis examines the developments that the green building movement and the preservation movement have made to reach a common goal to pursue a fully sustainable built environment. The green building movement is guided by LEED guidelines, which hold the leading role in sustainable development today. LEEDs achievement can be used to further the preservation movement by following successful process it has created. The National Trust has recently formulated a partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, which has given preservation a platform in the green building movement. Preservationists need to take full advantage of this opportunity by using LEEDs branding to market preservation as the main sustainable development tool. This will also be an opportunity to adapt preservations Standards to become more widely applicable under the direction of the USGBC and broaden preservationin the 21st century.