SEATTLE, WA – GVA Kidder Mathews’ Sustainability Practice provided Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consulting to EDAW/ENSR, a subsidiary company of AECOM, to obtain Gold Certification in the LEED for Commercial Interiors program through the U.S. Green Building Council on its new location. The office occupies 19,000 square feet in the historic Dexter Horton Building on Second Avenue in downtown Seattle.
The project achieves a Gold rating through a variety of innovative design strategies. Low flow plumbing fixtures throughout the facility keeps water usage in the office 40% lower than comparable non-certified offices. Illuminated 75% by natural lighting, the office maintains low energy usage by preserving existing windows, adjusting cubicle layout, and utilizing electronic systems to regulate light output. The paints, carpeting, tile, adhesives, and new furniture are all certified low emitting materials which help maintain indoor air quality. Energy Star rated appliances, and reused/refurbished products are located throughout the office, including cork flooring comprised of 70% renewable material.
Additionally, AECOM promotes the reduction of its employees’ carbon footprint with its proximity to public transportation, and by supplying bike storage and shower facilities rather than subsidizing parking stalls.
The Dexter Horton Building obtained its LEED for Existing Buildings certification in March this year, and was awarded LEED Gold status.
About GVA Kidder Mathews: GVA Kidder Mathews’ Sustainability Practice has had more than 20 LEED projects certified under the LEED Commercial Interiors designation and the LEED New Construction Designation. Projects have varied from high-rise apartment buildings to office tenant improvement projects and have been certified at all levels including platinum, gold, silver and certified.
GVA Kidder Mathews is one of the largest independently owned commercial real estate firms on the West Coast, with over 400 real estate professionals and staff in 9 offices in Washington, Oregon, and California. GVA Kidder Mathews provides brokerage, appraisal, property management, consulting, project and construction management, and sustainability consulting services. The firm performed $6 billion in transactions over the last 3 years, currently conducts 1,000 appraisals annually, and manages over 25 million square feet of space. For more information, go to: www.gvakm.com
About AECOM: AECOM is a global provider of technical and management support services that sets high standards for environmentally competent business. It is a fortune 500 company, with clients in more than 100 countries. The company focuses on consulting in the following areas: architecture, building engineering, design and planning, economics, energy, environment, government, program management, transportation, and water.
About LEED: LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. For more information, go to: www.usgbc.com
For inquiries, please contact Karen Benoit at 206.296.9600 or email: kbenoit@kiddermathews.com
