It’s Friday again; that means it is time for my weekly LEED roundup.  Any building can be a green building as is evidenced by this week’s projects.  A nine year-old building went through a green renovation, a new grocery store was built to LEED standards, and an American Cancer Society facility that provides services for cancer patients were chosen for this week’s list.

 

Buildings don’t have to be built from the ground up to receive LEED certification.  The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has a checklist for project renovations, LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED EB).  The Securian Financial Group’s 401 Building was originally built in 2000 and just this past week, received LEED EB certification.

“In addition to achieving LEED-EB certification, the 401 Building also has earned the Environmental Protection's Energy Star rating two years in a row. Both times, the 401 was rated 96, meaning it ranks among the top four percent most energy efficient buildings in the nation.” Source: PR Newswire

 

The new Harris Teeter in Charlottesville, Virginia, scheduled to open on May 6, isn’t LEED certified – yet.  The building is a LEED Registered project that used several design elements which will help it in receiving certification including the recycling of 82% of construction waste, 50% of the wood was obtained from certified sustainable forests, freezer cases utilize LED lighting, and 30% of the building materials were sourced locally.

 

While the grocery store waits on the LEED certification process to be completed, they can take pride in the GreenChill Gold-Level store certification.  GreenChill is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Harris Teeter location is only the third store in the nation to receive this recognition.  The purpose of the GreenChill program is to recognize companies that use a more eco-friendly refrigeration system.

 

 

It warms my heart to include this project on this week’s weekly LEED roundup.  The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge New York City has received LEED Gold certification.  

 

“Through the Lodge, the ACS provides free housing and support services for cancer patients and their families and has served over 2200 people since opening in November of 2007. Specific green features include energy efficient water fixtures, lighting, and office equipment, low-VOC paints and sealants, and FSC-certified wood products, including all of the Lodge’s furniture.”  Source:  greenbuildingsNYC