According to the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, buildings account for more than 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions. At the Smithsonian, we strive to integrate sustainable practices into the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of our facilities. All new capital projects are required to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, with certification at the silver level our minimal goal.
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI-DC) was the first building in our portfolio to achieve LEED certification in 2011 (initially at the silver level, but later achieved gold in 2016). SF achieved Platinum status, the highest LEED certification rating, in 2014 with the opening of the Charles McC. Mathias Laboratory on the campus of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Md.
In total, SF has led 20 projects that have resulted in LEED certifications:
New Construction
Platinum
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): Mathias Lab Expansion
Gold
- National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
- National Zoological Park (NZP): Asia Trail II
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI): Mason Academic Center
- National Postal Museum (NPM): William Gross Stamp Gallery
- NZP: Conservation Pavilion/Restrooms
Silver
- Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum: Museum Gallery and Infrastructure Improvement Project
- Museum Support Center (MSC): Pod 3 Renovation
- Renwick Gallery
Certified
- NZP: Seal/Sea Lion Site Renewal
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Center (STRI): Gamboa Lab
Commercial Interiors
Gold
- National Museum of American History (NMAH): West Wing Renovation
Silver
- National Museum of Natural History (NMNH): HVAC Renovation NW Ground Floor
- NMNH: HVAC Renovation SW 3rd Floor
- NMNH: Hall 2-6 Renovation
- NMNH: HVAC Renovation SE Ground Floor
Certified
- NMNH: HVAC Renovation NE Ground Floor
- NMNH: HVAC Renovation West Wing 2nd Floor
Existing Buildings
Gold
- National Museum of the American Indian
Silver
- Anacostia Museum