Lauth Earns LEED Certification, Silver Rating for NASCAR Plaza Development

In recognition of its commitment to green building and sustainable construction, Lauth® Group Inc. earned its third Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and its second Silver Rating for the development of NASCAR® Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina.

An internationally accepted benchmark from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification is granted to buildings that are designed to improve sustainability in areas such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, and indoor environmental quality.

“The benefits of LEED certification extend far beyond the reduced operating and maintenance costs associated with green buildings,” said Robert Lauth, CEO of Lauth.

“Environmentally friendly buildings also create healthier workplaces and increase environmental awareness – all of which enhance the communities where Lauth associates and clients live and work.”

Now considered one of the most environmentally-responsible office towers in the Southeast, NASCAR® Plaza is a 390,000 square-foot, 20-story Class A Office Tower located in downtown Charlotte. Some of the building’s “green” features include:

• Recycled Materials: one-third of the building was manufactured from recycled materials
• Water Efficiency: the building uses 30% less water than a conventional building
• Energy Savings: 35% of the building's electricity usage is being provided by renewable sources
• Efficient Construction: during construction, more than 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills
• Low-Emitting Materials: the building is equipped with energy efficient air conditioning systems that don’t use chemicals that harm the ozone layer or CFC refrigerants which also contribute to global warming

“Achieving LEED Certification for the NASCAR Plaza is another positive step for the NASCAR Green initiative,” said Ed Bennett, NASCAR vice president, corporate administration. “I am extremely proud of the recycled and low emitting materials used to construct this building and the energy savings that will be realized for all. Lauth should be commended for its leadership in this initiative.”

The state-of-the-art office tower is the latest creation of world renowned Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, famous for more than 200 world renowned projects such as the expanded Louvre in Paris, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the John Hancock Tower in Boston and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The office tower is integrated with the NASCAR Hall of Fame and adjacent to the Charlotte Convention Center.

Previously, Lauth Group earned a LEED Silver Rating for the construction of the Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI) building in Bedford, Pennsylvania and a LEED Gold Rating for the development of HSBC Mortgage Services’ Corporate Headquarters in the Greater Charlotte metropolitan area.

Source: http://www.lauth.net/