This study was conducted at the early stages of integrating LEED into the design process in which a clearer understanding of what sustainable and ecological design was about became evident through the duration of designing and building of two academic buildings on a university campus. In this case study, due to utilizing a grounded theory methodology a clearer understanding of how LEED influenced the current practices, programming, the design process, the decision-making process, time, cost, and quality are defined. Additionally, how the unique issues that occurred due to the implementation of LEED were acknowledged and addressed in the programming phase. LEED as a program is beneficial on both a professional and global level. It is clear that if the owners, designers, and contractors utilize the LEED criteria to design the built environment, then standards will keep evolving, thereby providing improved design solutions with enhanced overall quality due to conscious design. Acknowledging the unique issues that are revealed through this case study helped to understand the unique problems that an academic setting could encounter. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]