By Nick Bristow, Chair of the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Board of Directors
Many are familiar with LEED, the green building rating system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council that certifies buildings designed and operated for improved environmental performance. But LEED is far from the only green building rating system around. In recent years, the green building world has seen the introduction of numerous rating systems.
Here at the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter, we have been featuring local marquee and vanguard LEED projects in our annual Green Building Showcase, from the first LEED Platinum project to the first LEED v4 project in the Chapter territory. It is one of the most exciting and forward looking programs the USGBC Missouri Gateway Chapter has every year. This year, the 12th Annual Showcase, will be a little different; it will be expanding to include projects in other rating systems as well as LEED to capture the newest developments in the Chapter and the green building world.
In February, the City of St. Louis passed an ordinance that will require large buildings to benchmark energy use with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Many buildings have already had success benchmarking their energy use. In 2013, UniGroup, Inc committed to the 25×20 Campaign, a voluntary energy benchmarking pledge. The campaign, like the City Ordinance, requires buildings to benchmark their energy use in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Since they began benchmarking, UniGroup’s headquarters has earned ENERGY STAR Certification. Rebecca Peterson from UniGroup will provide updates on energy savings progress and share details regarding their experience using Portfolio Manager.
Also new for St. Louis, drivers on Highway 40 will have a front row view of an historic building coming back to life. Built in 1935, The Armory was originally home to the National Guard and has a storied past that includes concerts by the Grateful Dead and Tina Turner. The 200,000 square foot facility housed tennis courts, handball courts, a 25 meter swimming pool, and below grade parking used for tanks. The Armory will soon be under construction and is pursuing LEED certification. The developer, Greenstreet, will be on hand to go over what is in store for this landmark building.
One of the newest movements in green building centers around wellness in the work place. The WELL Building Standard’s goals are a healthier and happier working environment. The final building showcased is pursuing WELL Building certification. St. Louis based Architect, HOK, has performed a gap analysis of their St. Louis office to see how their current office stacks up using the WELL Building Scorecard. Speaker Allison Johnson from HOK will cover this process and WELL concepts including terms such as “presenteeism”.
For 12 years the Green Building Showcase has kept its fingers on the pulse of green building trends and activity in St. Louis and this year is no different. ENERGY STAR certification, major historic renovations, and WELL Building Certification will include a lot of firsts for the Showcase and promises to be very engaging and informative for everyone in attendance.
Please join us from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 9th. To learn more and RSVP, visit www.usgbc-mogateway.org