The design and material selection of an envelope can significantly impact a building’s overall efficiency, resilience, and indoor environment. Advances in technology have reduced the cost of sustainable core and shell construction – and changing social values support the business case for sustainable development.

Green Globes® for Core & Shell (CS) is informed by a consensus-based ANSI standard (ANSI/GBI 01-2024: Green Globes Assessment Protocol for Design, New Construction, and Major Renovations.

Why Choose Green Globes
for Core & Shell?

  • Focus the scope of a core and shell project, emphasizing attainable and impactful design strategies.
  • Guide a sustainable, healthy, and resilient design through early and often feedback from a dedicated Green Globes Assessor (GGA).
  • Assess opportunities for energy savings, reduce environmental impacts, decarbonization, and lower maintenance costs.
  • Consider options for environmental improvements during the design and delivery process
  • Evaluate and rate the benefits of different design scenarios
  • Compare Green Globes and utility consumption performance among portfolio properties.

Architects, tenants, construction professionals, and owners use Green Globes CS when evaluating, quantifying, and improving the sustainability of projects limited to the core and shell of a building.

Green Globes CS identifies criteria that may not apply to their warehouse, distribution center, retail space or other core and shell project, which allows the project teams to focus on sustainable initiatives that do apply.

Green Globes CS is the only environmental rating system that provides feedback early in the process – before you make critical final decisions. This is a proven method for taking advantage of time and cost-saving opportunities through integrated design and delivery, while benefiting from a cost-effective third-party Green Globes CS assessment process.

Green Globes for Core & Shell Resources

  • Green Globes for Core & Shell Point Allocation

    • Project Management: 140 points
    • Site: 220 points
    • Energy: 285 points
    • Water Efficiency: 150 points
    • Materials: 150 points
    • Indoor Environment: 55 points

    TOTAL: 1000 POINTS

  • Eligibility Requirements

    Green Globes CS is designed specifically for new construction limited to the core and/or shell of the building only. This includes what are commonly referred to as “cold shell” and “dark shell” projects that may not include HVAC and/or lighting as part of the project’s scope. This allows the project team to easily identify all criteria that may be Not Applicable (N/A) to their project so they may focus on sustainable initiatives that do apply.

    Eligible buildings must:

    • Be designed for occupancy
    • Have conditioned space
    • Have been occupied no longer than 18 months at the time assessment is ordered
    • Be at least 400 gross square feet in size
    • Major Renovation projects must involve gutting or replacing more than one of these systems: lighting, mechanical/HVAC, envelope or exceed 25% of the replacement value
  • Assessment & Certification Process

    The Green Globes assessment process is intended to mimic the design and construction schedule to provide a seamless certification.

  • Core & Shell Resources

Get Started with Green Globes

Create an account and provide your basic project information to receive a quote.