14 April 2008
Merchandise Mart Wins Major Environmental Certification
Podcast looks at "green architecture" trend in building renovations
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The term "green architecture" usually is associated with sleek new buildings that employ the latest innovations in recycled materials, energy efficiency and environmentally conscious design. But in reality, construction of new buildings makes up a very small number of the estimated 4.5 million commercial structures in the United States.
So when one of the world's largest wholesale commercial buildings -- the Merchandise Mart in Chicago -- won a major environmental certification after a massive renovation, many people took notice. The award is the Silver Certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings or LEED, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. As a result of the award, the Merchandise Mart can claim the proud distinction of being the world's largest “green” commercial building.
The Green Building Council is a voluntary organization comprising more than 13,500 members, ranging from construction, real estate and manufacturing companies to architects, interior designers, and nonprofit groups and government agencies. Its rating system has become the national standard for environmentally responsible and energy efficient buildings.
The LEED certification process determines a building's environment footprint in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The LEED rating system is now being applied in 41 other countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico and India.
Programs such as LEED certification are an important part of fighting climate change. In the United States, buildings account for an estimated 36 percent of overall energy use and 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, LEED-certified buildings are more than environmentally responsible; they're economical. Statistics show that green buildings use an average of 40 percent less water and energy than conventional buildings and easily earn back their higher construction costs over the lifecycle of the building. Green buildings also eliminate 50 percent to 70 percent of construction waste that would otherwise go into landfills.
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
