The Durst Organization, which has developed a reputation for green buildings, won’t seek a LEED rating for its latest residential project in New York, the Wall Street Journal reports. The developer will employ its own “environmental criteria” for the Bjarke Ingels-designed project.

Durst Organization chairman Douglas Durst says he wants the tower to be more innovative, rather than adhere to the LEED “checklist.”

"We found it [the LEED system] to be a little confining. There are things we want to do that don't give us a benefit under LEED," said Douglas Durst, chairman of the Durst Organization.

Mr. Durst has been one of the pioneers of creating LEED certified buildings, including the platinum certified 1 Bryant Park. His company has six other projects scheduled for LEED review.

 "When I first heard about it, I was a little bit confused, I was a little bit shocked," Rick Fedrizzi, president of the U.S. Green Building Council, told the Journal.

The Council, which oversees the LEED program, is updating its standards to address complaints from some developers, he said.

The tower on 57th Street, which will include 750 apartments, is in the early planning stages. The project designed by Mr. Ingels features several elements not covered by LEED, including a recycled water system, central heating and cooling, and a system to pump outside air into the building, Mr. Durst said.