TAU's Porter Building awarded top LEED distinction

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Tel Aviv University's Porter School of Environmental Studies its highest distinction, LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum. The Porter Building is the first in Israel, and only one of a few dozen in the world, to receive this exceptionally high measure of its long-term sustainability and environmental consciousness.

The building scored 92 out of 110 points, making it only one of 17 other structures in the world to have garnered more than 90 points towards a LEED designation. Platinum, the highest distinction, is achieved by earning over 80 points. Buildings at only few other universities in the world, including Harvard and Yale, have received the coveted "Platinum" status.

The LEED scale is the most widely recognized and respected rating system for green building in the world. The "Platinum" rating constitutes an official, independent certification that environmental considerations were given the highest priority in planning and construction of a building.

The Porter Building was designed by Alexrod-Grobman Architects, Geotectura Studio, and NCArchitects and landscaped by Braudo-Maoz Landscape Architects. It provides an ultramodern space for teaching, multidisciplinary research, exhibitions, conferences, and demonstrations of environmental technologies. The innovative structure was designed to maximize the efficient use of energy, water, cool air, and materials.