Sep 17 2009
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded a LEED(R) Silver designation to the BASF Construction Chemicals - Building Systems headquarters and office/research complex located in Shakopee, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. This is the first BASF building to earn LEED Certification and only the third building to earn LEED EB O&M certification in Minnesota.
LEED EB O&M stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance. Developed and administered by the USGBC, this rating system helps building owners and operators identify and improve ongoing operations and maintenance of existing commercial and institutional buildings. The certification system rewards current best practices and provides an outline for buildings to use less energy, water and natural resources while improving the indoor environment; with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades.
A Silver Certification verifies that BASF has achieved significant improvements in energy efficiency and water use; and developed and implemented programs to dramatically reduce waste to landfill, encourage and facilitate sustainable purchasing, and improve the indoor environmental quality of the building.
"We believe in and support the movement to improve not only the quality of new construction, but also the performance of the existing building stock," said Doug MacRae, Head of Building Systems. "As a supplier of products and solutions to this market, our decision to certify our building is an outward expression of our commitment, and has allowed us to more fully understand what it takes to participate in green and sustainable construction and renovation projects."
The building was originally constructed in 1972, and has undergone three additions and one significant renovation. The current site occupies 283,304 square feet, with a 50,879 square foot building footprint. Nearly 100 people are employed at the site, which is approximately 40% office area, 40% lab area, and 20% dock/warehouse/utility space. The facility is home to the management, research and development, marketing, communications, customer service, technical, finance and other service/support functions of the business.
BASF Construction Chemicals combines leading-edge chemistry with market expertise to help build and restore structures and infrastructure, while minimizing the impact of the construction process on the environment. They contribute to sustainable construction by offering products and systems to help lower energy and water usage, allow for the utilization of waste materials, preserve the built environment, increase durability and protect structures to make them last longer.
Building Systems is the overall market leader of chemicals and building products for the construction industry. The Building Systems business of BASF Construction Chemicals is committed to providing quality products, systems and services designed to exceed the needs of construction professionals.
The company manufactures innovative products under nine well-known brands: Sonneborn(R), Thoro(R), MBT Protection and Repair(R), Hydrozo(R), Selby(R), UCRETE(R), SRS Flooring, Conica and CHEMREX(R). These premier products provide joint sealant, waterproofing, grout, concrete repair, water repellent, performance flooring, surface adhesives and wall coating solutions for construction and renovation projects around the globe. For more information please visit www.buildingsystems.basf.com.