Excerpts from feature article published in New Jersey & Company Magazine, July/August Issue
It’s formally known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, but the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) landmark certification program is more commonly known by its acronym, LEED. And it’s changing the face of the American workplace.
The future office workplace is going to be more open, with greater personal control over everything from lighting to HVAC, and it will occupy a smaller footprint. That’s the consensus of LEED-certified architects and designers, who also say that the changing, more youthful workforce will have a lot to do with how everything plays out. And LEED (or “green” or “sustainability” in the broader sense) raises a new set of legal and financial issues.
Marlyn B. Zucosky, director of interiors for Clarke Caton Hintz in Trenton, similarly sees clients toeing the LEED mark without necessarily applying for certification for their buildings. “In general, my clients are interested in understanding LEED and how it can apply to their environment,” she says. “It’s not that difficult to find sustainable products—I think the manufacturers are ahead of design professionals in a lot of ways.”
Other clients, Zucosky continues, differentiate themselves by being “aware of the marketability of sustainability, of adding value to their buildings.” At the same time, however, the role of the design professionals is changing to the extent that, she says, “we’re assisting clients in identifying and getting funding.” But in the end, she agrees that while USGBC set the standard, saying, “in the future, sustainability will be more code-driven.”
Interestingly, Clarke Caton Hintz is currently creating its own sustainable workplace of the future, building out 14,000 square feet on the third floor of the historic Trenton Masonic Temple, where it will relocate its offices come October. The firm is shooting for at least LEED Silver and possibly gold, says Jessica Johnston, a LEED-accredited architect for the firm.
“It’s two-story-high space with mezzanines,” Johnston says. “The mechanical systems, plumbing, and fixtures are LEED-rated. The equipment is custom-designed, and we are working closely with Trane to design a system that will both meet LEED standards and be applicable to the space. It’s one of a kind—you won’t see it anywhere else.”
Similarly, most of firm’s furniture will be new and GreenGuard-certified. “We also scored a lot of points because we found a lot of materials within a 500-mile radius,” Zucosky adds. The radius clause is part of LEED guidelines related to fuel consumption for shipping.
Click on link below to view entire article in PDF format.
|
