Wall-to-Wall Green
The 22,000-square-foot space is a testament to
the green vision USGBC has been pursuing since its founding in 1993. From floor
to ceiling, every aspect of the new space demonstrates the organization’s commitment
to forward thinking and innovation, while helping to further the Council’s
goals. It also documents that organizations can go green without giving up on
their bottom line.
“As the developers of the LEED rating system, we knew from the start that we
would be aiming for the highest level of LEED certification,” noted Rick
Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC. “Not only was it
important to us to do the right thing for our employees and for our
environment, but we also wanted to provide our members and visitors with a
living and breathing example of green building in action.”
The headquarters features the techniques promoted within the LEED Rating
System, including a building design that incorporates sustainable site
selection, water efficiency measures, energy and atmosphere considerations,
materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.
Employees in USGBC’s new space, designed by Perkins+Will, enjoy the green
features along with views of the cityscape outside. Filled with natural
daylight, which is strongly associated with increased worker productivity, the
office uses multi-functional rooms, non-conventional materials and
water-reducing technologies. And although the offices are brand new, they do
not smell that way. USGBC completed the space with non-toxic paints and carpets
to ensure a pleasant indoor environment.
Energy, atmosphere and water efficiencywere a primary concern in the space’s
design. Large, operable windows provide daylight, fresh air, views of the
vibrant street life below, and a connection to the outdoors.
All lighting products featured within the space were engineered for high
efficiency and low energy use, and individual task lights allow employees to
control the amount of light within their work area. Occupancy and daylight
sensors reduce energy load while still illuminating the office.
Water efficiency is an integral aspect of the new work environment. USGBC is
using 40 percent less water than a conventional building occupant by including
low-flow plumbing fixtures, dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals.High-efficiency
Energy Star appliances also contribute to the overall reduction in
water usage.
Unique and sustainable building materials and textiles cover the tops and
bottoms of the office space. Floors, countertops and workstations are made of
materials such as rapidly renewable bamboo and linoleum, and reused granite,
glass panels and millwork from former tenants. Low-emitting adhesives, sealants
and paints guarantee that the indoor air is healthy for everyone working in the
space.
Office of the Future
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| Rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo, as
well as reused materials were installed throughout. |
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While the main office
space has all the trappings of a typical office, subtle differences throughout
make it uniquely green. Low dividers between cubicles allow for daylight to
stream through the office. Built-in planters that house tropical plants create
additional dividers, while helping maintain air quality and bringing nature
indoors. Recycled tires line the planters and salvaged wood timbers surround an
attractive oval-shaped meeting area.
The multi-function lunchroom, dubbed “the café” by USGBC staff, serves as an
eating area, library, workspace and recycling center, and features bar-style
seating, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and a large table for lunch hour and
impromptu collaboration. The design of the dedicated recycling area housed
within the lunchroom space allows for easy storage and collection of recyclable
materials.
Not only is the office a model of the LEED Rating System in action, but it is
also a clear indication of the growing green building industry. Many USGBC
members donated their products and services to the space, contributing to its
prestigious Platinum designation. A “Thank You” wall, hanging prominently in
USGBC’s lobby, lists all of the sponsors and their generous assistance.
Location, Location, Location
USGBC chose the
DuPont Circle location because of its many LEED-friendly features. The office
is located in an existing building that achieved a LEED-Gold rating. Renovating
an existing office space preserved natural resources by avoiding new
construction, and USGBC was able to divert 93 percent of construction waste
from landfills.
The headquarters, literally just steps away from the D.C. Metro transit line,
lets USGBC’s employees take full advantage of the surrounding city
infrastructure. The building is near a variety of public transportation
options, as well as dedicated bike trails, which makes it easy to commute
without a car. In addition, the building is surrounded by restaurants, local
businesses and services, making it a convenient and fun location for USGBC’s
employees.
The LEED-Gold building housing USGBC’s office boasts its own fitness center
with adjacent shower rooms, perfect for freshening up post-workout and for
commuters who bike and jog to work. The office building also features a green
roof, which lowers building temperatures, controls storm-water runoff, and
enhances air quality—not to mention providing a beautiful retreat for the
building’s occupants.
Investment for the Future
While USGBC employees benefit from their new
work environment on a daily basis, the organization’s investment in green will
pay huge dividends over the long term. Buildings consume a massive amount of
energy, electricity and water, and contribute 38 percent of carbon dioxide
emissions — gases that are largely responsible for global climate change. Every
day, while USGBC’s employees work to advance green building, they know that the
very space in which they work is helping them create a healthy and sustainable
future.
USGBC also wishes to thank the following
generous sponsors who have made the new energy-efficient office space possible:
- 3form
- Aircuity
- American Standard
- Armstrong Commercial Ceiling Systems
- Benjamin Moore Paints
- Bosch Home Appliances
- Columbia Forest Products
- Cooper Lighting
- ECFBN, Inc.
- Forbo Flooring
- Formica Corporation
- Greenlight Strategies
- Haworth; Humanscale
- IceStone LLC
- Initial Tropical Plants Inc.
- InterfaceFLOR
- James G. Davis Construction Corporation
- JRL Worldwide
- Knauf Insulation
- Knoll, Inc.
- OSRAM SYLVANIA
- Paul Tseng, LEED AP
- Perkins+Will
- Sloan Valve Company
- Stantec; TerraMai – Reclaimed Woods from Around the World and walltalkers, a
division of RJF International Corporation
- Excel Dryer Inc.
- SCA Tissue and RCJ.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
