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PRESS RELEASE: Interface Chicago Showroom Awarded LEED Platinum

CHICAGO CBRE announced that the Interface showroom project in Chicago, IL was awarded LEED for Commercial Interiors Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council, which is the highest level of certification possible for a LEED project.  The significance of this achievement was enhanced by the fact the project was awarded the certification on the project’s preliminary combined review.

“Interface has set a goal to eliminate any negative impact our company may have on the environment by 2020. We call it Mission Zero. To that end, we are redesigning our business in all of its dimensions with the help of talented collaborators and partners. In the case of architecture and built space we have benefitted from our relationship with CBRE. Their Chicago teams responsible for site selection and project management are best in class. Their insight and integrated participation with our in house teams and external resources were the difference in achieving this rating” states Chip DeGrace, Interface Creative Director.

One of the significant achievements, especially for a showroom, was the 48% reduction in lighting power density by utilizing natural light to its fullest potential, an efficient lighting layout, and energy efficient fixtures.  Most projects garner a reduction of about 10% from fixture efficiency – Interface’s Showroom exceeded that reduction by more than four times without compromising function required to highlight their product.  Lighting power density reductions were calculated from the current LEED baseline, ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

 Another unique factor that contributed to the Platinum certification was the opportunity for Interface to purchase and install a stand-alone HVAC unit.  With the allowance of a dedicated system, Interface was able to control the design and specification of efficient equipment and installation of a demand control system for energy optimization.

Water use reduction also played a significant role.  The project demonstrated a reduction of 41% from EPA baselines by using efficient plumbing fixtures without going waterless.

“This achievement recognizes the corporate commitment of Interface to sustainability, as well as the hard work of our CBRE team and partners involved in this project” said Mark Fewin, CBRE Executive Managing Director Project Management Services.

The Project Team included CBRE as the Project Manager and LEED Consultant, Boeman Design as the Architect, Environmental Systems Design as the MEP Engineer and Commissioning Agent, and Interior Construction Group as the General Contractor.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2012 revenue). The Company has approximately 37,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com

 

About Interface

Interface, Inc. is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial carpet tile. For 40 years, the company has consistently led the industry through innovation, and now leads the industry in environmental sustainability. Interface is setting the pace for development of modular carpet using materials and processes that take less from the environment, and is well along the path to "Mission Zero®," the company's promise to eliminate any negative impact it has on the environment by the year 2020. Interface's worldwide carpet manufacturing facilities maintain third party registration to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard, and the company obtained the first-ever Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the commercial floor covering industry in North America. The company is recognized globally for its commitment to build environmental considerations into its business decisions. For additional information: www.interface.com, www.interfaceflorblog.com

TAGS: Development