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U.S.GreenBuilding Council goes for Platinum-rated digs
by Lisa A. Mulcahy
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators
of the LEED Green Building Rating System, announces that
its new Washington, DC headquarters has earned LEED Platinum
Commercial Interiors certification for its office suite.
The suite is located within the Service Employees International
Union (SEUI) building, which is also a LEED building, having
earned LEED Gold for New Construction.
“The growth of the Council’s membership and
corresponding increase in staff mirrors the growth of the
practice of green building,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president,
CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “We wanted to walk our
talk by providing a highly functional, healthy and enjoyable
work environment. We are already seeing an increase in collaboration
and productivity as a result of the design scheme.” |
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The energy-efficient space offers 22,000 square feet of open work
areas and underscores USGBC’s commitment to green building
innovations. All common spaces are centrally located to provide
opportunities for impromptu collaboration between departments.
In addition, spaces are multi-functional: offices double as conference
rooms, the kitchen and library can be used as meeting space and
the conference rooms offer a work space.
“As the developers of the LEED rating system, it was important for USGBC’s
headquarters to be in a LEED-certified space,” notes Fedrizzi.
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The green features begin at the reception area. Highlights
include rapidly renewable bamboo flooring; reused granite countertops;
non-toxic paint on the walls. Visitors are also greeted by
a “Thank You” wall that highlights the companies
whose generous donations of time and materials contribute to
the innovative and attractive workplace.
Employees in the open workspace areas enjoy abundant natural daylight and operable
windows and 93% of the interior has a view of the outdoors. Natural daylight
and outdoor views have been associated with higher rates of productivity. |
Office furniture from the previous space was reused and the ceiling
tiles are recyclable. All lighting products are engineered for
high efficiency and low energy use, and individual task lights
allow employees to control the amount of light within their work
area. The new office uses 40 percent less water via low-flow plumbing
fixtures, dual-flush toilets, and waterless urinals.
The materials used in the office space were chosen
both for their aesthetic contribution and green attributes. Salvaged
wood timbers create a screened forest wall around an elliptical
conference room. Glass panels and millwork from the previous tenants
enjoy a new life when reused in the pantry and copy room, as does
the existing terrazzo flooring in the elevator lobby. Rapidly renewable
bamboo, linoleum and cork flooring are installed throughout the
space, along with fully recyclable, state-of-the-art carpet tiles.
The
interior architect was Perkins & Will with Davis
Construction as the contractor. Sponsors that made the
office space possible include:
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