What is Green Building Matrix?
The Green Building Matrix provides an unbiased, high-level comparison of 11 green building rating systems, including health-focused programs. It evaluates how each system addresses standard categories to enable clear comparison with each other and with LEED. The intent is to support project teams in identifying the most appropriate rating system for their needs. No ranking or scoring is provided, as suitability varies by project.
Provides a structured comparison of 11 rating systems using clear main categories (managing body, release year, scope, framework type, primary objective) and sub-categories (project types, applicability, assessment stages, certification levels, scoring method).
It also aligns credit types across systems, enabling efficient and accurate evaluation for new construction projects.
Make better decisions access different rating systems early in the project.
Improve productivity stay on top of rating programs can be daunting, time consuming and costly.
The matrix provides a usable form for project teams and key documentation requirements summarized.
Which rating systems are covered here?
These systems were selected based on market popularity, technical rigor, and overall reputation.
Who should use it and when?
This comparison matrix is intended for project teams, owners, and designers evaluating green building options. It should be used early in planning and schematic design to determine which rating system best fits the project’s goals, scope, and priorities.
Detailed Description and Notes
High Level Interpretation
Refers to a ruling on how to apply credit requirements.
Provide binding guidance for project teams on ambiguous credits, ensuring consistent application across projects.
More detailed and project-specific than general guidance, offering comprehensive clarification beyond basic definitions.
Stringency
For green building credit options, stringency highlights the demanding or difficult a particular option or pathway is to achieve.
Differences
Summary of Differences in Credit Sections Across Rating Programs
Features in the Matrix
Features |
Description |
|
|---|---|---|
Search all Cells |
Quickly search for keywords, terms, or phrases across the entire matrix table. |
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Clear Search |
Instantly clear all active search terms and filters to reset the table view. |
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All Sections |
View all categories in the dropdown menu and quickly jump to a specific section within the matrix. Users can also navigate to the Categories page to explore all categories included in the matrix. |
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Columns |
Customize your view by collapsing or expanding columns to focus only on selected rating programs. Easily compare categories across chosen certifications and use the “Select All” or “Select None” options for faster filtering. |
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Expandable Abbreviations |
Click on dotted or abbreviated terms to view their full definitions and meanings. |
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Match Case |
Enable case-sensitive search for more precise keyword matching results. |
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Adjust Font Size |
Increase or decrease the font size for improved readability and accessibility. |
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Resizable Columns |
Adjust column widths easily for a more flexible viewing experience, similar to an Excel spreadsheet. |
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Research Logs |
Create, organize, and save custom research logs. Access all saved logs anytime through the dropdown menu. |
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Add to Research Log |
Click the “+” icon on any cell to save that information directly into a selected research log for future reference. |
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Access Research Log |
Open the Research Log section to view, manage, and organize all saved research entries. Users can switch between Matrix View and List View, add notes to individual entries, remove items, rename logs, and export logs as a PDF. |
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Product Material Type MasterFormat
At the rightmost side of the spreadsheet, there is a column for Product/Material types that are commonly used to achieve that credit/requirement, along with their MasterFormat section
| Material type related to credit | Associated MMS (CSI) Section |
|---|---|
| Cast in place concrete | 03 03 00 |
| Metal fabrications | 05 50 00 |
| Rough carpentry | 06 10 00 |
| Thermal insulation | 07 21 00 |
| Flooring | 09 60 00 |
| Tiling | 09 30 00 |
| Sustainable Design Requirements | 01 81 00 |
| Quality control | 01 35 43 |
| Instrumentation control for HVAC | 23 09 00 |