LEED project that was certified as LEED Gold under LEED 2009 NC changes usage

This LEED certification is for the design and construction of the original project. Future changes do not affect the rating or the certification.

Marcus - Are you saying a building certified under NC can keep its plaque up and maintain its LEED certification if it makes a change LEED would not have allowed during the original certification process? So basically once certification is achieved, the building can be modified in anyway without regard to the requirements of LEED.

I understood LEED NC certification to be for the life of the building. Certainly buildings will change over time, but in my understanding to the intent of things, future renovations or use changes should keep in line with the LEED requirements and commitments laid out in the initial certification. There isn't a LEED police (so far as I know) going around making sure buildings are following through on the original commitments year after year. It would seem, though, if a project designed to LEED underwent some sort of non-compliant change, (in an ideal world) the plaque should be removed and it should no longer be marketed as LEED certified. If my understanding of the intent and requirements are wrong, I'd very much like to know. 

Yes. First of all the plaque only relates to the original design and construction. It is not an on-going certification as currently set up so it does not maintain its certification over time. It only certifies the design and construction. LEED NC does not cover the life of the building. Many people do not understand this distinction and would assume that a green building designed and constructed that way would also be operated that way. It just makes sense right?

I agree that LEED certification should be an on-going certification that is earned following construction but must be maintained over time through ARC or some other system. Failure to make this connection is one of the major problems and disconnects in LEED. You certainly understand the intent, but what you are advocating is unfortunately not a requirement.

Whether the owner continues to apply LEED to the facility moving forward is their choice as it now stands. 

Thanks for the clarification Marcus. I've been absorbing it over the last few days. Good to know, but disappointing as well. 

I share your disappointment.