Building rating systems: A novel review about capabilities, current limits and open issues

Abstract

• A deep up-to-date review of the literature concerning rating systems is proposed • The review classifies papers in the matter of rating systems into four categories • Papers comparing the various building rating systems are the most common • LEED rating system is the most investigated in current scientific literature • Health and wellbeing should get a strong weight in the rating systems An up-to-date review of more than 100 research papers about green building rating tools is proposed, with a view to what is changed or must be changed, also following the new requirements due to the recent pandemic. The review organizes current literature in the matter of rating systems in four different groups: rating systems’ comparison papers, case studies, the proposition of new rating systems, possible integration of rating systems into other design tools for buildings. The research papers have been analyzed to underline the main investigated aspects in rating systems, how to improve the rating systems for enlarging the sustainability assessment, and how much the level of certification reflects the green, sustainable, healthiness, and indoor environmental quality features of buildings. Moreover, possible improvements of the weighting systems are here showed, in the rating systems’ method, and some new aspects for the sustainability assessment are suggested. As regards the pillars of sustainability, the main neglected points are structural safety, vulnerability to calamitous events, compatibility with local culture and history. Moreover, the indoor environmental quality and the flexibility/adaptability of livable environments are underestimated in the current rating systems. These issues have emerged strongly during the COVID-19 pandemic and have become a priority.