Chicago Exelon HQ Receives Platinum LEED Rating
-- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 5/22/2007 1:13:00 PM
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded Exelon’s Chicago headquarters with LEED Platinum Commercial Interiors (CI) Certification. Exelon’s new building is the largest office space in the world to be LEED-CI certified at the platinum level.
“We are very proud of this accomplishment," said John W. Rowe, Exelon’s chairman, president and CEO. “This is the largest office space in the world to be certified under the LEED process at platinum status—the highest environmental rating awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. We are also pleased to help Mayor Daley, Commissioner Johnston, and the City of Chicago meet their environmental goals through our compliance with The Chicago Standard for sustainable buildings.”
Exelon consolidated its downtown Chicago locations and one suburban location into its new headquarters to increase productivity and reduce long-term occupancy costs, the company said. To consolidate, Exelon chose to renovate existing space to LEED standards rather than building new. The project involved the design and construction of more than 220,000 sq. ft. of office space on 10 floors in an existing building in downtown Chicago.
At its new green headquarters, Exelon has reduced electricity by more than 43% and water consumption by 30% as compared to its previous space. In addition, all employees have outside views to receive benefits from natural light. Air quality also was improved through the use of low-emitting materials, paints, carpeting, furniture and finishes, and the installation of high-density air filters.
Exelon purchased more than 60% of the project and construction materials from manufacturers located within 500 miles to reduce emissions associated with transportation. Three-quarters of construction waste was recycled or salvaged, and almost one-third of furniture and other materials were reused to reduce waste. Exelon also is buying Renewable Energy Certificates to offset 100% of electricity usage for the office space from regional, Green-e certified wind power.
“Exelon has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the environment by striving and obtaining platinum, the highest level of LEED certification,” said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC president, CEO and founding chair. “Buildings are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions in the United States, which directly impacts global climate change. However, LEED buildings consume half the energy of conventional buildings. Companies like Exelon recognize the full environmental impact of their decisions and will serve as an example for other organizations to follow.”
Project contributors who worked with Exelon included ISI, interior designer; ESD, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer; HJKessler Associates, LEED consultant; Turner Construction, construction manager; Lighting Design Alliance, lighting designer; Talaske, audiovisual designer; Studley, project support; and CBRE/Project Advantage, move management.
