According to Arup, the global engineering and consulting firm, its 77 Water St. office has earned LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Arup and Verderame were involved in all aspects of the design of the 100,000 office, which consists of four floors connected by an internal stairway. Construction was completed by Turner in January.
The firm's balanced approach to sustainable design focused on energy efficiency, alternative transportation, and indoor environmental quality. Extensive use of LED lighting and day lighting cut energy consumption significantly, and purchases of green power further offset use of fossil fuels. Forty bicycle racks and lockers (most of which are utilized on a typical business day) were installed to provide employees with transportation options. For water efficiency, the design employed low-flow toilets and energy-efficient faucets.
To provide a healthy work environment, the design included access to windows providing daylight and views, low-emitting materials, and the use of green cleaning products. (Arup worked with the building management to implement a green housekeeping program).
The Gold rating also included points for responsible materials procurement. Much of the furniture in the office contains recycled content, and accents such as a timber wall in the reception area have been repurposed from local sources - in this case, the Coney Island boardwalk. Tags: