LEED EB? CASE STUDY: ACHIEVING PLATINUM AND THE ENERGY STAR? LABEL FOR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

摘要

Most global businesses recognize the impact of their behaviors on the environment. Many have established environmental sustainability commitments and policies which are integrated into their company's overall business strategy. These initiatives are becoming more heavily marketed and important to customers worldwide. The building construction industry has embraced “Green Buildings” as the emerging standard for new construction. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets for residential and commercial buildings. Armstrong has strong environmental positioning through its products and environmental sustainability programs. During 2006, Armstrong initiated the process to pursue the LEED EB (Existing Building) certification for the corporate headquarters building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This building was constructed in 1998 as the LEED rating system was being developed. The building's overall design actually helped to create some of the performance criteria within the initial “LEED for New Construction” standards and the formal application requirements. A LEED EB Platinum rating was approved for the building by the U.S. Green Building Council in April 2007. This award – the USGBC's highest level of recognition – is only the fifth given nationwide for an existing building – and the first outside the state of California. As part of the LEED EB application process, minimum energy performance standards were evaluated, earning an ENERGY STAR? label for the building during the 2006 performance period. This paper describes the project that achieved both significant distinctions for the corporate headquarters building.