Grey Lee, USGBC MA
This edition highlights the sponsored projects at the 2014 LEED Project Showcase, produced by the Massachusetts Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC MA). The state is a leader in the world of green buildings. There are 921 LEED certified buildings in Massachusetts and many more under construction. In 2013, the state was noted for achieving the 4th most new LEED space (per capita) built in the US. At 13,684,430 s/f certified, this is about 2.09 s/f per person - just behind Illinois, Maryland and Virginia in that year. This aggressive completion of green buildings is a testament to many institutional and commercial leaders who have embraced LEED as a way to ensure they have the best built and operated buildings in their portfolios. We have over 97M s.f. of LEED-certified space in Massachusetts. Green buildings save money and increase the value of owners' real estate.
The MA Chapter of the USGBC wants to celebrate the many parties that have supported the creation of these green buildings. The Showcase is an opportunity to make connections between the strongest proponents of high-performance buildings in Massachusetts, and a great way for teams and owners to be recognized for all they've accomplished. Each of these buildings is a significant accomplishment and we want to celebrate the effort of all the green building professionals and other involved parties. Many have come to connect through the Showcase.
In this Spotlight, we have solicited the stories of the teams that participated in the live LEED Project Showcase on 9/30/14 at the LEED Platinum Genzyme building in Kendall Sq, Cambridge. We heard from each other about the challenges, solutions, partners, and products that made these LEED projects come together. In addition to the event, the Showcase will live on in our website as a LEED Project Directory and enable visitors to see the many aspects and team members of each project.
Over 40 businesses came to show off their projects, with special presentations from our Platinum Event Sponsors: National Grid and Northeast Utilities.
Special thanks to the Events Committee volunteers who organized the Showcase, especially Kate Bubriski of Arrowstreet and Steve Muzzy of the Chapter - it is because of dedicated community members like you that we can truly embody the transformative leadership role we have in our industry.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the creation and operation of the buildings in the Showcase. Your efforts continue to prove that Massachusetts is a leader for the achievement of a built environment expressing ever better performance and value.
USGBC-MA LEED Project Showcase Event Sponsors:
National Grid - Platinum
Northeast Utilities - Platinum
Suffolk Construction - 315 on A - Gold
Boston Properties -300 Binney Street - Silver
BioMed Realty Trust - BioMed Realty Office - Silver
Chapman Construction & Design - Keurig Green Mountain - Silver
Richard Moore Env. Consulting - Central Utility Plant - Silver
F.D. Sterritt Lumber - Naples Botanical Garden - Silver
Turner Construction - EnerNOC Headquarters - Bronze
ICF International - Mass Save Program - Bronze
Urbanica - 226-232 Highland St. E+ Townhouses - Bronze
Columbia Construction - Dassault Systèmes HQ - Bronze
Entegra Development & Investment - 23 Frontage Road - Bronze
Haworth Inc. - Haworth Showroom - Bronze
Grey Lee, LEED AP, executive director, US Green Buildings Council - Mass. Chapter.