Next week begins four straight weeks of new sustainable building coverage, in honor of Earth Day 2009, coming up on April 22.   (Photo: NASA/ Visible Earth)

GREEN SYNAGOGUE

ArchitectureWeek contributing editor Michael J. Crosbie will kick off these green-focused weeks with a review of the new synagogue for the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, Illinois. The project earned LEED Platinum certification through a number of sustainable strategies, from daylighting to an energy-efficient HVAC system and some inventive reuse of building materials. Ross Barney Architects also developed a design to maximize shared spaces, helping reduce the building's carbon footprint.   (Photo: Steve Hall/ Hedrich Blessing)

LEED UPDATE 2009

This spring, the U.S. Green Building Council is rolling out the long-awaited LEED Version 3, also known as LEED 2009. Next week, Amanda Sturgeon, AIA, LEED AP, codirector of the sustainable design initiative for Perkins + Will, will take stock of what's changing, what's staying the same, and what's yet to come.   (Image: Courtesy USGBC)