LEED 3D

LEED has become the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

There are many steps involved in building to LEED certification, yet the payoff to owners and occupants - both to the environment and to the bottom line - has certainly proven to be worth the extra effort. Each of the thousands of certified and registered LEED projects around the world contributes to the shared bank of knowledge and best practices that continue to advance all fields related to green building.

Following is an example of one of those projects that serves to dimensionalize the LEED process. To view more groundbreaking LEED projects, view our LEED case studies.

The Solaire

The SolaireLocation: New York, NY
Building type: Multi-unit residential
Program: New Construction
Size: 357,000 sq. ft.
Project scope: 27-story building
Completed: August 2003
Owner/Developer: Albanese Organization
Architects: Cesar Pelli & Associates Architects, SLCE Architects
LEED Rating: LEED-NC – Gold (41 points)


The Solaire was designed to consume 35% less energy, reduce peak electricity demand by 65%, and require 50% less potable water than a conventional building of its kind. An array of photovoltaics – integrated into the building’s façade, bulkhead and canopy – generates 5% of the building’s base electrical load at peak demand, and the building features many energy-efficient systems, including a high-performance thermal envelope, an on-site wastewater treatment system, and a stormwater reclamation system. Completed in August 2003, The Solaire was the first green residential high-rise building in the U.S., and the first built in accordance with the Battery Park City Authority’s environmental guidelines, first introduced in 2000. This groundbreaking project continues to prove that green buildings are a worthwhile investment for the future.

Green Features:

  • Integrated photovoltaics, made from 100% recycled materials
  • Daylighting strategies
  • On-site wastewater treatment system
  • Stormwater reclamation system
  • Water-efficient fixtures and toilets
  • Energy Star appliances
  • Occupancy and daylight sensors
  • Right-sized equipment
  • Gas-fired absorption chiller / heater
  • Indoor air that is fully filtered, humidified and centrally conditioned
  • Low-e glazed windows
  • Locally-sourced materials
  • FSC-certified wood
  • Low- or no-VOC materials
  • 30% fly ash

LEED 3D