Jul 30 2014
In July 2013, TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation solidified its growing commitment to community and sustainability by officially opening the doors of its new green corporate headquarters, constructed with the latest in energy efficient technology and a unique design to provide a more environmentally-friendly workplace. Just one year later, the building’s many sustainable features have earned the facility LEED® Platinum Certification, the highest level of distinction awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
TD Ameritrade's LEED Platinum certified headquarters in Omaha. Photo courtesy of Bob Ervin Photography.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally-recognized certification system administered by the USGBC. It has four levels of certification, ranging from Certified, requiring a minimum of 40 credits out of a possible 110, to Platinum, which requires at least 80 credits. Since 2008, TD Ameritrade has targeted LEED certification for company locations undergoing renovation or new construction. Today, approximately 25 percent of its retail and corporate office locations have achieved some level of distinction, but none at the Platinum level - until now.
The USGBC designated TD Ameritrade’s headquarters as Platinum LEED Certified following a lengthy series of evaluations. The building earned 85 points, five more than required for Platinum status. The company’s 12 -story headquarters now towers as the largest new construction Platinum building in the state of Nebraska and ranks among the top 10 largest in the country.
Says Karen Ganzlin, TD Ameritrade’s chief human resources officer, “We are always working on proactive initiatives to build or enhance a better employee experience and create a highly engaged work environment, and this includes the physical workplace and value added amenities. Ultimately this translates into better service for our clients. Pursuing and earning LEED Platinum certification was a purposeful investment in our employees’ work experience, an investment in our clients and a pure investment in our environmental future.”
The sustainability features contributing to the facility’s recent Platinum recognition include:
- 5,000 lighting control sensors to harvest daylight
- 4 wind turbines to power parking structure lighting; capacity for 20 more
- Glass “frit” lamination between exterior glass panels to filter sunlight and reduce heat inside the building
- Rain water harvesting to flush toilets and irrigate site
- Solar thermal arrays to heat hot water and preheat boiler water
- 3 redundant generators with capacity to power building for 3 days
- 50% of building materials made from recycled materials
- 5 electric car charging stations and priority parking for low-emission vehicles
- A “green” pavilion roof with vegetation and meeting space
- Bike lockers for pedaling commuters
- 50 percent more green space than required by local zoning
TD Ameritrade plans to continue becoming more environmentally-conscious and reduce its carbon footprint. In its continued effort to improve the facility’s efficiency, the company is also considering additional certifications, including an Energy Star rating.
Source: TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation