Administration Building
LEED Gold
Green Building Highlights
Originally opened in 1960 and renovated in 2013, this project showed how an update of an old building can achieve new sustainable goals. Key green features of the renovation project included improvements to the HVAC and lighting systems to enhance comfort and efficiency, distribution of daylight throughout the space and improved air quality with low emitting materials. Proving renovation projects can be green, the construction team diverted more than 83 per cent of construction waste away from landfill for recycling.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
Dust and other harmful particulate matter can be introduce into an indoor environment during construction activity. To ensure that health concerns have been eliminated, post-construction, an indoor air quality test can be performed. Testing performed on this project confirmed that despite the extensive construction work, air quality on move-in day was as good (and in some cases even better) than air quality prior to the work.
Lighting
The lighting system is controlled using occupancy sensors. Lights will automatically turn off if sensors do not detect occupancy in the room, minimizing energy usage. In addition, the use of indirect lighting helps to evenly distribute light throughout the room and minimizes glare. This type of lighting is partially reflected off the light colored ceiling before the light reaches occupants.
Construction Waste
The project used multiple strategies to prevent construction materials from ending up in the landfill. By separating different types of construction waste (metal, concrete, drywall, etc.), the waste could be sent to external facilities to be recycled. This resulted in more than 84 per cent of waste generated by the project diverted from the landfill.