Emeryville, Calif. - Ratcliff, an architectural, planning and interiors firm, launched a new Web-based tool called the Green Matrix (www.greenmatrix.net) to assist the design and construction industry in plotting a course along the intricate path to build green, the company says.

The Green Matrix is a Web site that provides a comprehensive, chronological application of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines from site selection and design through post construction, the company reports.

The Green Matrix cross-references topics of sustainability with the standard phases of project design, thereby illuminating appropriate strategies for a particular phase of work. Within the Green Matrix, there is a horizontal heading for the five typical sustainable topics: site, water, energy, materials and indoor environment. Vertically are listed seven design phases: pro-forma, master planning, pre-design, schematic design, design development, construction documents and construction/post occupancy.