July 16, 2007—Armstrong World Industries’ corporate headquarters building has received Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) under its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System for existing buildings.
Armstrong’s headquarters, built in 1998, is reportedly only the sixth existing building—and the first outside of California—to achieve the highest LEED certification offered. Located on a 225-acre campus, the facility is a three-story glass and steel structure with workspaces for 235 employees.
Among the building’s characteristics that contribute to its environmental performance are its:
- Use of clean, renewable energy—75% of the building’s power is supplied by wind energy, reportedly the equivalent of planting 149,000 trees or removing 300 automobiles from the road.
- Reduced energy use—Armstrong’s headquarters uses less than 1.5 watts/square foot, which the company claims is half the nationwide average for comparable buildings.
- Reduced water use—The building reduced water use from 800,000 gallons to 420,000 gallons.
- Recycling program—60% of the building’s waste is recycled.
- Maintenance—Environmentally responsible, Green Seal-certified cleaning products are used.
- Improved acoustics—Armstrong acoustic ceilings and sound-absorbing surfaces are used throughout the building.
- Landscaping—Eliminates irrigation and provides erosion control and measured storm-water run-off into adjoining wetlands.
USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable commercial-use buildings. For Platinum Certification, Armstrong’s headquarters building was evaluated for site sustainability, water efficiency, energy efficiency, use of materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and design innovation.
For more information about the headquarters, visit Armstrong.
