National Green Building Standard

Kjell Anderson

Director of Sustainable Design

LMN Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

4 thumbs up

April 9, 2021

Hi all - I’m wondering if any of you have heard of or use the National Green Building Standard, which appears to be primarily for residential and mixed use: https://www.homeinnovation.com/green.

The NGBS Green certification program is based on the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard and supposedly is the program of choice for many builders and developers. Does anyone know if this is a rigorous and reputable program or a greenwashing opportunity? Does anyone know where they fall on electrification?

Thanks!

Kjell

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Seonhee Kim

Director of Sustainability

Design Collective

LEEDuser Basic Member

19 thumbs up

Fri, 04/09/2021 - 14:01

We have several projects certified under NGBS, mainly owner preference (since it is not as rigorous in review process) or LIHTC projects. Typically for residential only projects, but they have been expanding the scope to cover more mixed use projects. Here in Baltimore, NGBS is one of the compliance path for City's green building law. Anyway, it is similar to IgCC, so I wouldn’t say it is a greenwash. Standard itself is not any more stringent than current code. Success is largely depends on who administer the program and how involved the provider is to the construction process, pre-con education & field testing. I don't believe it advocates electrification or provides any incentives, though.