May 19 2010
The United States Green Building Council this week awarded Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C. a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in the commercial interiors category, verifying that its 34,000-square-foot law office meets the highest green building and performance measures.
The LEED certification is a nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Isaacson Rosenbaum offices earned points in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
“This is a great day for us. The goal of the attorney and staff project team in planning our new office was to create a sustainable and efficient workplace which could be registered as LEED certified,” said Bill Silberstein, chair of the Real Estate & Sustainable Development practice group at Isaacson Rosenbaum. “We are in the forefront of law firms that truly understand sustainable development and green building, and we can help guide our clients in these important areas.”
In addition to its workplace certification, Isaacson Rosenbaum boasts two attorneys who are LEED Accredited Professionals, Janet McDaniel and Nick McGrath who direct clients on sustainable development issues and opportunities.
“Planning early for energy efficient and other sustainable features can yield synergies and improve the overall performance of an office space or building,” said Silberstein.
Isaacson Rosenbaum's own "green" suite of offices, on the 18th floor of 1001 17th Street, was created with an integrated project team, including Isaacson Rosenbaum; Miller Global Properties, LLC, the developer; i2 Construction; and RNL Design.
The offices at Isaacson Rosenbaum incorporate fixtures to reduce water usage by 30 percent. Natural daylight harvesters measure the amount of light coming in from the outside and reduce overhead lighting accordingly. Task lighting has reduced the amount of "wasted" artificial lighting, while zoned heating and cooling systems now offer attorneys and staff greater control over individual workspaces. Stone and other resources native to Colorado were used in the construction of floors and counters. Other work surfaces and floors were built with recycled and low VOC emitting materials.
In addition, the Sustainability Committee at Isaacson Rosenbaum has eliminated individual trash cans in offices in favor of recycling containers that reinforce the need to reduce, reuse and recycle, further demonstrating the firm's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
"These changes fall in line with our dedication to sustainability," said Silberstein. "Our commitment in this area will have a beneficial effect on our bottom line and that's a value that we'll be able to pass along to our clients."
Source: http://www.ir-law.com/