MJARC Architects Obtains LEED Certification and Reinforces Commitment to Sustainable Architecture

Over the years, MJARC Arquitetos has consistently sought to promote sustainable construction in every project, approaching it as a genuine process of continuous improvement.
We believe that today’s “best practices” will become tomorrow’s standards, laying a solid foundation for increasingly higher levels of performance.Acreditamos que as “melhores práticas” de hoje se tornam os padrões de amanhã, estabelecendo uma base sólida para níveis cada vez mais elevados de desempenho.

We are convinced that the permanent evolution of design, planning, construction, and operation practices leads to built environments with lower impact—more sustainable and, ultimately, regenerative.

Recently, our team welcomed another LEED-certified member, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to sustainable architecture, energy efficiency, and the creation of spaces that foster well-being, health, and quality of life, in alignment with the highest national and international standards.

Check out the LEED certification here.

The Relevance of LEED Certification

To understand the significance of this certification and its impact on the contemporary architectural sector, it is important to highlight that:

Sustainable construction is fundamentally a process of continuous improvement, in which today’s best practices become tomorrow’s standards, paving the way for higher levels of performance.

It contributes to the development of stronger communities, healthier indoor and outdoor environments, and closer connections with nature.

It aims to drive permanent change in design, planning, construction, and operation practices, resulting in lower-impact, more efficient, and ultimately regenerative buildings.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), created in 1992 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is today the most globally recognized green building rating system. Its purpose is to distinguish projects that integrate responsible and efficient practices, establishing a benchmark methodology for architects, engineers, and developers seeking to align their work with global environmental and social goals.

To achieve certification, a building must meet objectives across several categories, assessed through a points system. Key categories include:

Location & Transportation: sites well served by transport and infrastructure, reducing reliance on automobiles.

Sustainable Sites: solutions that preserve biodiversity and minimize environmental impact.

Water Efficiency: reducing and reusing water consumption indoors and outdoors.

Energy & Atmosphere: energy efficiency, use of efficient systems, renewable energy sources, and CO₂ emissions reduction.

Materials & Resources: use of recycled or local materials and waste reduction.

Indoor Environmental Quality: ventilation, air quality, natural light, thermal and acoustic comfort.

Innovation: practices and technologies that go beyond minimum requirements.

Based on the number of points achieved (minimum 40, maximum 110), projects can obtain:

LEED Certified (40–49 points)
LEED Silver (50–59 points)
LEED Gold (60–79 points)
LEED Platinum (80–110 points)

International Recognition

Today, LEED is one of the most widely used and recognized certifications worldwide, present in more than 180 countries, with over 100,000 certified projects. Residential buildings, offices, cultural facilities, schools, hotels, and even transport infrastructures have adopted LEED to ensure greater efficiency and international recognition. Beyond technical validation, LEED represents a commitment to sustainability, valued by users, investors, and public institutions, and often aligned with governmental energy efficiency policies.

In Portugal, several landmark buildings have been awarded LEED certification. Among them are the Sonae Tech Hub and Lumnia, achieving Platinum and Gold levels respectively. Porto Business School became the first school in the country to achieve LEED Gold, while the Neya Porto Hotel was a pioneer in the hospitality sector with the same distinction. The São Dinis building, headquarters of GO Porto, also marked a milestone as the first rehabilitated public building in Portugal to earn certification.

Benefits of a LEED-Certified Project

Choosing a LEED-certified project offers multiple advantages:

Environmental: reduced energy and water consumption, lower carbon emissions, and the promotion of renewable energies and sustainable materials.

Economic: reduced operating costs over the medium and long term, greater durability of buildings, and increased property value.

Social: improved indoor air quality, greater thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort, contributing to users’ health and well-being.

Reputational: strengthened corporate image, market differentiation, and visible commitment to sustainability.

Conclusion

LEED has consolidated its position as one of the most important sustainability benchmarks in the construction sector. At a time when cities and buildings face the challenges of climate change, energy efficiency, and the demand for improved quality of life, LEED emerges as a clear path for architects, engineers, and investors committed to building responsibly and with a vision for the future.