A Serious Game for Learning Sustainable Design and LEED Concepts

With the growth of the population worldwide and the increased demand on resources, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainability and awareness of green and responsible use of resources. In response to the need for a sustainable built environment, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which includes a set of metrics for defining and measuring “green buildings”. Construction professionals and designers are recognized as LEED AP (Accredited Professionals) if they can demonstrate, via the LEED exam, knowledge and understanding of the LEED rating system. In this paper we describe a serious game for learning Green Building design principles and LEED concepts. The game is aimed at undergraduate students enrolled in Civil Engineering, Architecture and Building Construction Management programs, and professionals who are interested in becoming familiar with the LEED system. The game includes five levels that focus on the environmental categories of the LEED rating system for ‘New Construction and Major Renovations’ 2009 version.