New Innovative Leasing Policy Requires LEED Certification and Sustainable Design In All Federal Build-to-Suit Projects
General Services Administration
Public Buildings Service Heartland Region
In 2005, the GSA Heartland Region West Service Center Leasing Team accepted delivery of a 137,671 square-foot build-to-suit leased building on behalf of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) in Lincoln, Neb. Every aspect of the building was designed and constructed to embrace the practical “green” goals of creating an energy efficient, environmentally friendly, healthy building.
This building is the fourth in a series of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certified sustainable build-to-suit leasing projects that the Heartland Region has procured. The GSA Region 6 leasing branches chose to embrace a new mandate for federal buildings to design and construct LEED® certified buildings, which has, in essence, raised the bar on the quality and efficiency of the buildings GSA leases. A result of the CIS project in Lincoln, Neb. is that most of the leasing projects in the region are now seeking some form of LEED® certification and employing varying methods of sustainable design on their projects. All projects, from small single-agency rural buildings to complex, prospectus-level, multi-tenant, multi-floor projects are being encouraged to pursue LEED® certification.
The designers merged a four-fold goal of:
- Integrating the agency’s program and LEED® requirements while maintaining an excellent design
- Solving CIS security needs in an unobtrusive way
- Projecting the seriousness and dignity of the CIS mission while showcasing the beauty and colors of the indigenous landscape
- Creating a location to serve as a sustainable design “teaching tool” for the commercial construction market in Lincoln and surrounding areas.
This beautiful new CIS facility alleviated overcrowding at three other locations in Lincoln and provided for the hiring of 120 new employees. The lease provides for the expansion and contraction of services to allow for second and third shifts.
In occupied areas, 94 percent of the building’s occupants have views of the exterior. Exterior glazing was selected for energy performance and glare control negating the need for shades on the windows. Building systems were designed for performance and flexibility, while providing maximum user comfort. Energy use is 30 percent less than the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers) 90.1-1999 standard, accomplished through use of high performance glazing with exterior sunshades on the south, daylighting on the north, energy-efficient lighting and efficient HVAC equipment. An innovative dual duct HVAC system pipes fresh air to each zone for ventilation effectiveness. No halon-based or CFC-based refrigerants were used in the building’s systems. The Low-E glazing throughout the building tempers the glare and heat from the heat of Midwest summers while the building’s east-west axis optimizes natural light, lessening its energy consumption. Materials were selected for their durability, regional uniqueness and sustainable features.
Contact:
Dennis Clemons, Realty Specialist
GSA, Public Buildings Service Heartland Region
dennis.clemons@gsa.gov
