Short answer: Your existing Health Product Declaration does not expire or become invalid because LEED v5 has arrived. A published HPD stays in the HPD Public Repository. It keeps counting toward the LEED v4 and v4.1 Material Ingredients credit for…
Read More What Happens to My LEED v4 HPD Now That v5 Is Required?
Short answer: The LEED v5 Building Product Selection and Procurement credit (MRc4) scores building products using manufacturer documentation across five criteria areas: Human Health, Climate Health, Ecosystem Health, Social Health and Equity, and Circular Economy. Each eligible document earns a…
Quick answer: HPD Open Standard v3.0 is the current version of the Health Product Declaration standard, maintained by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) and implemented in the HPD Builder in September 2025. It moves HPDs from static PDFs to…
Read More HPD Open Standard v3.0: What Changed and What Manufacturers Must Update
On-demand sustainability education for architects comes in two forms: recorded webinars and purpose-built self-paced courses, and only the second is reliably available at any hour. GreenCE, Inc., an AIA Education Provider and USGBC Education Partner, publishes free narrated-video courses available…
Read More Where Can Architects Watch Free Sustainability Webinars On Demand?
GreenCE reports course completions to AIA, GBCI, and IDCEC, and holds both USGBC Education Partner and AIA education provider status, so one course hour can serve three credentials. ARCHITECT U, formerly Hanley Wood University, accredits across the same bodies. The…
Read More Which Platforms Offer AIA, IDCEC, and GBCI Credit?
Free green building courses come from AIA CES registered providers and USGBC Education Partners, funded by building product manufacturers. GreenCE offers free AIA HSW courses, GBCI general and LEED-specific hours, and a no-cost LEED Green Associate exam prep program built…
Quick Summary Free LEED Exam Prep is a no-cost, self-paced training program that helps candidates pass the LEED Green Associate exam. GreenCE, a USGBC Education Partner, offers free LEED practice exams, free LEED practice questions, a free LEED Exam Study…
TL;DR: Sustainable design is a core competency for all design professionals, emphasizing early site analysis and passive strategies. Implementing passive design, evaluating embodied carbon through EPDs, and utilizing digital tools significantly enhance building performance and reduce environmental impact. Continuous verification,…
What Is LEED v5? LEED v5 is the fifth generation of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system — the globally recognized benchmark for sustainable building design, construction, and operations. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)…
Read More LEED v5: The Complete Guide for Architects, Designers, and Green Building Professionals
TL;DR: Understanding and strategically pursuing LEED credits through continuing education enhances both sustainability expertise and professional credentials. Professionals should verify course accreditation, document hours promptly, and align CE topics with project needs to maximize career growth. Navigating the LEED credit…
TL;DR: Choosing sustainable building materials involves considering their full life cycle impacts, not just initial cost or appearance. Professionals must evaluate environmental, technical, economic, and social criteria, often using life-cycle assessment and verified EPDs, to make informed decisions. As embodied…
Read More How To Specify Sustainable Building Materials Wisely
Architects and designers today face a critical challenge: distinguishing truly effective green design from projects that simply check boxes. With evolving standards and competing certification frameworks, identifying exemplary sustainable work requires clear, measurable criteria. The AIA Framework for Design Excellence…
Read More 7 Inspiring Sustainable Design Examples for Architects in 2026
Many professionals assume LEED certification applies only to entire buildings, overlooking a powerful framework designed specifically for interior spaces. LEED v5 includes the Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) rating system, which targets tenant improvements, commercial interiors, and retail spaces. This…
Read More What is LEED Certification in Interiors: A 2026 Guide
Choosing the right sustainable design strategies feels overwhelming when every option promises transformative results. Architects, engineers, and interior designers pursuing AIA continuing education credits need evidence-based guidance to cut through the marketing noise. Studies show that combining passive solar design…
Read More 5 Sustainable Design Examples with Up to 90% Energy Savings
Every licensed architect eventually asks the same question: what is the best online continuing education program for architects? Whether you're newly licensed and navigating CE requirements for the first time, a seasoned practitioner looking to upgrade your CE routine, or…
