Energy Center Phase I Earns LEED Silver Certification; Phase II Goes For Gold

HOUSTON, Texas  – The Energy Center Building Phase I office building, constructed by Manhattan Construction Co., was recently the awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The project is a joint venture development by Trammel Crow Co. and Principal Real Estate Investors. Manhattan is constructing Phase II of the development which is scheduled to complete this month. Phase II is also being constructed with green principles and is LEED registered seeking LEED Gold Certification.

LEED is the nationally-accepted benchmark for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.

Located in Houston’s Energy Corridor, the Phase I building includes more than 350,000 square feet of office space and was completed in January 2008. It is the first speculative office building to be built in the Energy Corridor in over eight years.

A few examples of the building’s green design features include:

• Installation of high efficiency chillers which, based on initial whole building energy simulation models, project the building to operate approximately 15% more efficiently

• Use of a non-chemical, pulsed-power, water treatment system

• Use of a CO2-based demand controlled ventilation system to control the amount of outside air brought into the building

• Use of safer and less volatile adhesives and sealants to preserve the air within the building

• Use of reduced-flow water faucets and fixtures in all restrooms

• Use of a drip irrigation system to reduce water consumption in landscaping

• Use of recycled and regional building materials to reduce waste and environmental impacts during construction

• Abundant open spaces, pedestrian areas and a water feature that provides a campus-like setting