The man who makes furniture out of cardboard is against LEED certification and calls it “political” rather than necessary. Who is this man who is ruffling the feathers of Sustainable Design and Architecture community? It is no other than Frank Gehry, one of the most revered and notable American architects in modern times.

Gehry claims that LEED certification is often given out for “bogus” stuff and went on further on Bloomberg Business week calling green design “fetishized” like “wearing an American flag pin”. According to Inhabitat, it has caused quite a stir within the sustainable and green community.

It is no surprise coming from the utterly bold and unrepentant Gehry, who has no qualms about putting industrial and futuristic building in middle of a historic district, case in point, Guggenheim Bilbao. Throughout the years, Gehry has been criticized for his builds being designed without accounting for the local environment and surroundings. Environment probably has never been Gehry’s strong point; however, to take the criticism to this level seems a bit patronizing. There is no doubt that LEED certification has its setback, but it is a step towards building a more sustainable living environment in the long run.

After landing in the hot seat for such statements, Gehry has recently defended his statements in Need to Know, a PBS magazine.

“I never said I was opposed to the LEED program or to green building — I’m not…. I think [global warming] is a crisis, we’re led to believe that by our scientists who seem to have a pretty good idea of what’s going on, so we have to address it if we want to survive on this planet. Of course there are also some people making hay out of it and using the issue for financial gain, but green building is clearly something architects need to be concerned with.”

Gehry went on to say further that Environmental programs such as LEED is not the only path to sustainable designs and building. I think the PBS article articulates Gehry’s stance on sustainable design in a much more favorable position than previously held. Mass criticism could have been the factor, but the point is; we should never take any certification at face value and question the validity or even the efficiency of such standards.

Reprinted with permission from Green Building Elements