Featured LEED Certified Projects
575 5th Avenue
Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Architect: Amie Gross Architects
LEED Rating: Platinum (proposed)
This 25,000 square foot building plans to become the first LEED platinum rated low-income housing building in the country. The building will also house progressive mental patients and their social workers offices to aid in their recovery and entrance back into the world. The green features of this building include a green roof, natural gas fired air cooled chillers, condensing boilers, and heat recovery units. Indoor air quality is maintained using increased fresh air and MERV 8 filters. Low flow plumbing fixtures and low wattage lighting fixtures with motion sensors contribute to the LEED ideals.
52nd Street Theatre and Clinton Greene Common Plant
Location: 789 10th Avenue, Manhattan
Architect: BKSK Architects
LEED Rating: Platinum (proposed)
This theatre was a fit out of the bottom four stories of a 25 story residential building. The mechanical systems that help obtain such a high LEED rating were gas fired absorption chiller/heaters, hybrid cooling towers that function both as a cooling tower and dry cooler with individually controlled fans and spray pumps, thermostats occupancy sensors, and non-chemical water treatment. Indoor air quality was achieved by provided extensive fresh air that was filtered through MERV 13 rated filters. Electrically, variable frequency drives were provided on all motors as well as the installation of energy efficient lighting.
Genzyme Center
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Architect: Behnisch, Behnisch and Partner
LEED Rating: Platinum
A twelve-story, 334,000-square-foot biotechnology headquarters that achieved a LEED Platinum rating including specialty equipment such as steam-powered absorption chillers HVAC system, state-of-the-art ventilation systems, individual temperature controls, and an extensive BAS to reduce overall energy costs for the building significantly. Of particular note is that the chillers use a lithium bromide solution rather than any HFC refrigerant, and the chilled water pumps have variable frequency drives. An integrated BAS monitors and controls nearly 40,000 automation points programmed to respond to changes in the weather and the interior environment and to maximize natural light, bring in fresh air and reduce reliance on conventional lighting and automated heating and air conditioning. The BAS also monitors roof-mounted helliostats, which are basically large mirrors that track the sun and redirect the daylight down into the atrium of the building. The building also features prismatic louvers that move with the sun’s path and elevation and reflect glare, directing sunlight back to the mirrors.
The Harsen House
Location: 120 West 72nd Street, Manhattan
Architect: BKSK Architects and Andres Escobar (interiors)
LEED Rating: Certified
A new condo building with enviable Upper East Side location and environmentally LEED certification add to this 16-story project. The apartments consist of either half floor two bedroom apartments or full floor four bedroom apartments. The building is heated and cooled through and internal heat pump system with perimeter hot water radiation for a thorough heating blanket. The radiation is covered with architecturally customized covers. Building is fully wired for video intercom and custom security options. The basement houses a recreation space for the tenants as well as additional storage.