Mar 3 2010
Today, the Green Building Initiative (GBI) recognized the MeadWestvaco Corporation’s (MWV) headquarters building in Richmond, VA, for achievements in sustainable design and construction that were identified using the Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system for commercial buildings.
MWV's office building in Richmond, VA, is only the third building in the US to achieve GBI's rating of four Green Globes.
During a special dedication ceremony on February 24, Mark Rossolo, vice president of operations for the Green Building Initiative, presented John A. Luke, Jr., chairman and CEO of MWV, with a plaque recognizing the building’s environmental achievements. The office building achieved a rating of four Globes, which is the highest rating awarded under Green Globes. GBI’s rating system reserves this distinction for buildings that “serve as national or world leaders in energy and environmental performance.”
“The environmental achievements and sustainability measures taken is this building are extremely impressive, and MWV should be commended for setting a positive example, not only for the state of Virginia but also for the entire country," said Rossolo. "Only two other buildings in the U.S. have attained the four Globes rating which is a real testament to MWV’s commitment to sustainability and to improving our new construction methods.”
MWV, a global packaging solutions provider, designed its new headquarters building to meet and surpass standards for green, sustainable buildings. Some of the many positive attributes that secured the four Globes rating include:
- Recycled 95 percent of construction waste
- 21 percent improvement in overall energy efficiency and usage over traditional building methods
- Used the most energy efficient HVAC system and glass available
- Harvested and maximized use of natural lighting to reduce energy consumption
- Reduced water use through native landscaping, plumbing and control systems
“We are very pleased to have achieved the Green Globes Four Globe certification, and we appreciate the efforts of GBI to make an impact on the sustainability of our buildings nationwide,” said Mr. Luke. “MWV has long been a leader in sustainability, and we made deliberate choices about how and what we would build as our headquarters as a direct reflection of this long-standing commitment.”
Green Globes is an innovative green building guidance and assessment program that was adapted from a system that is widely used in Canada. The Green Globes system has been officially recognized by legislation or executive order in 20 states as well as by four federal agencies. Green Globes has been formally recognized by private sector institutions such as Aon, Liberty Mutual and the Fireman’s Fund.
To achieve a Green Globes rating, the MWV building project team used the Green Globes tool’s unique, online and interactive format to help design and construct the building in an environmentally-friendly manner. After the buildings were constructed, a GBI-authorized third-party building science expert was engaged to review the construction documents, conduct an on-site inspection and determine an official Green Globes rating.
The MWV office building is just one of over 100 buildings nationwide that have achieved a Green Globes rating. Others include: the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AR, Blakely Hall in Issaquah, WA, the Pfizer Clinical Research Unit in New Haven, CT, the NewPage Corporate Headquarters in Miamisburg, OH, the Chandler Airport Commerce Center in Chandler, AZ, the RenewAire, LLC corporate headquarters in Madison, WI., the Point at Morristown in Morristown, NJ, the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax, VA, the Alberici Headquarters in St. Louis, MO and the Materials Recovery Facility in Summit County, CO.
ABOUT THE GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE: The mission of the Green Building Initiative is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches. A not-for-profit education initiative, the GBI is supported by a broad cross section of organizations and individuals with an interest in residential and commercial construction.
Source: http://www.meadwestvaco.com/