In 2009, our building received Platinum Certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™. This voluntary, third-party certification system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Visit www.usgbc.org/leed to learn more.

The building's sustainable features include:

Recycling & Construction Waste Management

• 77% of the total construction waste—294 tons—was diverted from disposal in landfills.
• Recycling receptacles are located throughout the building and in every personal workspace

Water Efficiency

• Efficient water fixtures throughout the building reduce daily water usage by 40% compared to a typical commercial building.
• Temporary irrigation established native plant species around the building, such as prairie flowers and grasses, which now require no permanent irrigation.

Energy Efficiency

• The building is one of few in the United States to use a Geothermal HVAC system in conjunction with ice storage tanks.
• The white paving surface of the concrete parking lot, as well as the building's white roof, reflect sunlight to reduce heat absorption.
• A Green Power energy contract supports electricity from renewable resources. In addition, a wind turbine will be installed on an adjacent property to supplement energy consumption.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Low-emitting materials were used through construction, including all adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and carpet systems. In addition, the majority of the office furniture is certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.
• Additional outdoor air ventilation improves air quality for employee well-being. Air inside the building contains one-third the pollutants found in the outdoor air.