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Regional Commerce Center LEED Details

The Regional Commerce Center was designed and developed in keeping with the U.S. Green Buildling Council's Leadership in Energy and Enviornmental Design (LEED) program.

Green Building Concepts

BUILDING MATERIALS
All building materials for this project will be selected and specified based on their ability to contribute to this structure being certified "green". Products have been selected for their sustainability or ability to reproduce rapidly. Forest Stewardship Council monitored forest products or bamboo, one of the fastest growing sustainable products on the market have been incorporated into some of the finishes.

Materials that are made by energy efficient and environmentally friendly methods have been given preference over those made by factories that have a larger carbon foot-print. Likewise, materials that are available locally or regionally have been given greater consideration than those that required shipping from greater distances.

In addition to choosing products based on how they are made, much favor has been given to products that are produced with partial or fully recycled material content. And building products that can one day be recycled have been given precedence over products that are likely landfill-bound.

BUILDING ENVIRONMENT
Selecting the right building products can help achieve a more environmentally friendly and sustainable building, but its only part of the equation. Green buildings should also provide the user with a comfortable & friendly layout & environment.

Something as simple as natural daylight at all inhabited workspaces and the use of operable windows seem like obvious design features but are often missing from new office buildings. Sky-lights and light shelves have been incorporated into the building to bring in much natural light. Additional amenities such as changing/shower facilities, access to outdoor space and operable windows are all concepts that were explored and implemented as deemed appropriate.

BUILDING USE
Finally, the ongoing use of the building and its draw on the environment by way of energy usage is of major importance. Steps were taken during the design process to make sure the building is taking advantage of proper solar orientation and prevailing winds for passive heating and cooling when appropriate. Water will be recycled both from non-hazardous waste sources and collected rain water for landscape irrigation.

Highest Reflective value insulations will be installed to keep the interior environment comfortable with as little energy usage as possible. Light sensors will be installed to turn off lights when rooms are not occupied and to dim lights when enough natural daylight is present.

Multi-zoned HVAC will allow heating cooling at the point of use rather than heating and cooling the entire building indiscriminately.

Design Strategies by Discipline

ARCHITECTURAL
•High efficiency building materials and equipment
•Low E reflective insulated glass
•Exterior light shelves at windows to reflect light into space
•Operable windows for personal comfort / temperate cooling
•High R value insulation
•Use of recycled materials in building construction
ü Crushed concrete base at paving
ü Ceiling tiles - highest recycled cellulose content
ü Gypsum wall board with recycled cellulose
ü Fiberglass insulation from recycled glass products
ü Wall and floor tile from recycled glass
ü Recycled aluminum for building flashing and window components
•Use of sustainable products in building construction
ü FSC certified wood, moldings, doors, etc.
•Sky-lights - bringing natural light to interior core of building
•Showers/changing facilities for employees with possibility of exercise room
•Solar shading at southern and southwestern exposures
•No Volatile Organic Compounds allowed in paint, carpet, ceiling /wall materials, glues etc.
Benzene, Toluene, Methylene, Chloride, Formaldehyde, Xylene, Ethylene glycol, Texanol, 1,3-butadiene, etc.
•Recycling areas on each floor

ELECTRICAL
•High efficiency light fixtures and lamping - no or minimum incandescent
•Proximity sensors for auto light shut-off when occupant not present
•Light sensors for detecting amount of natural light and auto dimming
•"Dark sky compliant" exterior light fixtures - non light-polluting fixtures

MECHANICAL
•Multi-zoned HVAC - gives the occupants much greater control over their personal environment than the standard single floor style of heating and cooling.
•Highest efficiency HVAC products - Energy Star compliant
•Energy Star compliant Kitchen and Break Room equipment
•Low flow water fixtures
•Hand wash sensors that time and limit water flow
STRUCTURAL
• Steel is 80% recycled content
• Use of fly ash in concrete - a reclaimed material from industrial processes
•Use recycled crushed concrete as aggregate in concrete from our region

CIVIL
•High R-value concrete
•Storm water pollution prevention plan during construction
•Possible reuse of existing port soil/earth for elevating site
•Production of ESC - Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan
ü Retention of on-site soil during construction
ü Stockpile and appropriate reuse of topsoil
ü Prevention of pollution dust - temporary seeding
ü Sediment traps and basins
ü Prohibit vehicular traffic on non-paved construction areas

LANDSCAPING
•Use of indigenous low water consuming plants and trees
•On-site irrigation from collected rainwater

INTERIOR DESIGN
•Commissioned air to filter out air particulates and replace with clean air
•Use of furnishings made with recycled content
ü Ceiling panels - 82% recycled content
ü Ceramic tiles made from recycled glass
•Furnishings with fabrics and wood with no VOC's
•Furnishings that can be partially or fully recycled in the future
•Regional purchase of furnishings if available
•Products made with environmentally friendly processes from "clean" factories
•Materials made from sustainable products
ü FSC certified wood moldings