LEED v5: What Architects Need to Know

Course Description:

This course introduces LEED v5 as a major evolution of the rating system, with a stronger emphasis on decarbonization, resilience, ecological conservation, and quality of life. Rather than functioning only as a point-based update, LEED v5 reshapes how projects are planned, designed, constructed, and operated by raising expectations through new prerequisites, revised thresholds, and more rigorous performance pathways, especially for Platinum projects.

Key themes include early planning and assessment, operational and embodied carbon reduction, electrification, renewable energy, refrigerant management, and stronger coordination among project teams. The course also highlights the growing importance of resilience, accessibility, inclusion, waste and water strategies, and documentation, encouraging owners, designers, and contractors to engage earlier, update tools and standards, and embed sustainability goals throughout project delivery.

Course Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to describe the major themes and structural changes in LEED v5, including its stronger emphasis on decarbonization, resilience, ecological conservation, and quality of life, as well as updated point distribution, prerequisites, and performance thresholds.

2. Attendees will be able to identify the new and revised LEED v5 prerequisite expectations, including early planning and design studies, climate and human impact assessments, operational carbon planning, commissioning, refrigerant management, and site and indoor environmental quality requirements.

3. Attendees will be able to evaluate how LEED v5 drives project teams toward lower-carbon design and construction strategies through electrification, enhanced energy efficiency, renewable energy, embodied carbon reduction, transportation carbon awareness, and circular material selection.

4. Attendees will be able to apply LEED v5 concepts to project delivery by identifying practical preparation steps for owners, designers, and contractors, including earlier team engagement, updated tools and templates, stronger tracking and documentation, and alignment of procurement and construction practices with LEED v5 goals.

Prerequisites and Advance Learner Preparation: None

Program Level: Introductory

Thornton Tomasetti is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J562. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.