LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) developed by the US Green Building Council, is a self-assessing system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings. It evaluates environmental performance from a Whole Building perspective over a building's life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a green building. The Council members work together to develop industry standards, design guidelines, and educational tools that support the sustainable design and building practices.
LEED was created to:
LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. It emphasizes strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy
efficiency, material selection and indoor air quality. LEED recognizes
achievements and promotes
expertise in green building and design trough a complete system offering project certification, professional accreditation and training.
We at M. Grace Designs, Inc. support this commitment to protect our natural
environment. Our own
goals in practicing Green Design are to increase workplace productivity, enhance energy efficiency through energy-efficient lighting systems, and conserve natural resources by educating the consumer about earth friendly products. Therefore, environmentally Green finish materials and products are incorporated in our design whenever possible. We constantly keep up with the latest innovations and are registered as a member of USGBC, US Green Building Council.
Top Rapidly Renewable Products We Specify Most:
1. Bamboo
2. Wool Carpets
3. Linoleum Flooring
4. Cotton Bat Insulation
5. Certified Wood
Rapidly renewable building materials and products (made from plants that are typically harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter).
M. Grace Sielaff, founder of M. Grace Designs, Inc., has 15 of years experience in the design industry. Her expertise in commercial, entertainment, and residential designs provides each client with personal service. Grace is a graduate of Mundelein College at Loyola University of Chicago. She is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and member of the US Green Building Council. Additionally, Grace serves on the ASID Students Affairs committee, and was the contributing Business Development Manager to receive the national contract for the Brunswick Corporation, representing Haworth.
Her work has been recently featured on HGTV's Designers Challenge and was featured in the Collector Inspector series program. M. Grace Designs work can be viewed on HGTV's Designers
Portfolio at www.hgtv.com.
Grace was also one of the first interior
designers assigned to create
a room setting for the Merchandise Mart Properties sponsored by Traditional Home magazine, to showcase FABRIC FAIR.
