DPR Renovates U.S. Green Building Council Headquarters in Washington, DC, as part of LEED Commercial Interiors Pilot Program

There’s hardly a place you would expect to see green building better showcased than in the headquarters of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in Washington, D.C. Because the USGBC is a tenant of an office space originally constructed in 1978, however, the organization was previously unable to participate in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) process, which formerly allowed certification for new construction only.

That changed this spring when employees of the USGBC moved into their newly expanded and remodeled offices, completed by DPR. In addition to meeting the needs of a growing employee base, the 4,000-sq.-ft. project also offered the opportunity for the USGBC to participate in its own LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) pilot program.

The remodeled headquarters serves as the ideal showcase for sustainable design and a unique learning space for visitors, while also providing a healthy work environment for USGBC employees. In addition to DPR, key members of the project team included architect McAllister Architects, P.C., mechanical engineer Girard Engineering, P.C., interior designer DMJM’s Ginny Dyson, building owner The Donohoe Companies, Inc., and a host of material donors, subcontractors and suppliers.

Targeting Silver Certification

The design and construction team focused on all areas of LEED-CI, but specifically targeted Materials and Resources as well as Indoor Environmental Quality. The project incorporates a variety of LEED strategies and materials, such as:

• Flooring with the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green label,
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, and
• Low- or no-VOC paints and adhesives among other things.

With the recent achievement of Silver certification, including points for Innovation and Design Process, the team attributes the successful completion of this relatively small but high-profile project directly to the collaborative approach taken by the design and building team, along with the generous contributions of several suppliers and service providers.

According to DPR’s Christopher Gorthy, the goal of the team from the outset included creating a more efficient office space for the USGBC that featured as many green strategies as allowed by existing conditions, schedule and cost, “all while keeping in mind this may be a temporary space.” The team worked closely together throughout design and construction to overcome a variety of obstacles, while keeping that goal always in the forefront.

Challenging Existing Conditions

Among the major challenges relative to meeting LEED-CI requirements were the existing conditions, particularly the mechanical system that was in place. Low floor-to-ceiling heights and low overhead space required an innovative approach to the placement of new HVAC systems while keeping ductwork to a minimum. Pre-existing walls were removed for additional access to views and natural daylight. The design and construction team also ultimately achieved significant energy savings by reworking the lighting layout, which minimized the impact on the existing fire protection system.

The fast-track schedule was another major challenge. Permit drawings were completed just six weeks prior to project mobilization, and DPR received final construction drawings just one week before start of construction. Long lead time on several of the materials that in many cases were being donated from different manufacturers and suppliers was another key hurdle in the face of the project’s approximately one-month construction schedule. An FSC-certified wood door, for example, had a 13-week lead time. DPR’s project team worked closely with the subcontractors and suppliers to obtain the materials when needed. In instances where materials were not available within the timeframe, they improvised by using temporary measures, such as reusing existing lighting fixtures and placing new ones when they came in.

Finally, pulling together information needed for submission of the LEED-CI credits was another immense task that the project team ultimately completed. The quality of the finished product, as well as the satisfaction expressed by the tenants now occupying the space, provide good measures of the success of this project, which DPR finished safely, under budget and on time.