EcoFactor: For being the first dual LEED Platinum certified building.
Buildings are responsible for 21% of the world’s CO2 emissions. The Lansing, Michigan-based Mutual Building is the first to earn dual LEED Platinum certification – for both construction of the building (LEED Core and Shell) and for its interior (LEED Commercial Interiors). SmithGroup renovated the building based on the charge to combine historic preservation and sustainable design at a cost no greater than conventional practices.
The project was completed in accordance with the rigid standards, and the work of the company is truly commendable as they rehabilitated the historically registered structure into a “green” building. The 60,000 square feet Mutual Building is high on efficiency and reduces the energy use upto 35% and will be the new headquarters for The Christman Company. Dual Platinum certifications in the context of a historic preservation project are almost impossible to achieve, but excessive effort put by SmithGroup made the impossible task possible.
The Dark Side:
This project lacks any real downside and is just what the environment needs for a bright tomorrow. But with the increasing property rates, we really hope that sustainable designs don’t start costing more than conventional buildings because of their maintenance needs!
Via: Jetsongreen
