SfN Building Earns Gold LEED EB Certification
Award recognizes latest step in continued sustainability leadership
Washington, DC — The headquarters building of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), the world’s largest organization of scientists dedicated to advancing understanding of the brain and nervous system, has been awarded Gold Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) by the U.S. Green Building Council, enhancing the organization’s growing environmental leadership.
Gold LEED-EB certification recognizes continuous sustainability improvements for operations and maintenance of 1121 14th Street, NW, the building owned and operated by SfN. It builds on the organization’s Gold LEED-Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) certification in 2006 for the office space SfN itself uses on floors 9-11 of the building, as well as other environmental achievements.
“SfN has made environmental sustainability a core organizational value that guides all our actions, and we are dedicated to sustaining that commitment, as evidenced by this recent recognition,” said SfN President Michael Goldberg. “In addition to its building facilities, SfN promotes active recycling, consistently uses recycled products and papers in its communications activities, and purchases wind power to fuel its operations. These actions reflect the commitment of our staff and our members to environmental stewardship, as well as smart business practice.”
The certification reflects many green actions by the organization:
• New water efficient fixtures were installed that will result in an estimated reduction of 132,054 gallons of consumed water in the next year.
• Energy efficient LED lighting was installed in the garage and motion sensors were installed throughout the building.
• The organization established a green cleaning policy mandating the use of 100 percent green cleaning products.
• Upgrades were made to the mechanical system by installing two variable frequency drives resulting in improved energy efficiency.
• SfN purchased 100 percent renewable energy from wind power for the entire building.
• The organization achieved an 18 percent increase in energy efficiency savings allowing the building to qualify for an Energy Star rating of 86, making the building eligible for the Energy Star label.
• Documented emissions reduction of 606 metric tons of CO2 equivalent when compared to the national average, through Leonardo Academy’s Cleaner and Greener Program.
SfN’s latest award was assisted by Leonardo Academy (www.leonardoacademy.org), which served as SfN’s sustainability consultant for the LEED-EB, and Akridge, (www.akridge.com) the building’s property management firm. SfN’s original LEED-CI award reflected the assistance of Envision Design (www.envisionsite.com), which designed the SfN office space. One tenant in the SfN building, SteelCase, has also achieved LEED-CI certification (www.steelcase.com).
The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) (www.sfn.org) is a nonprofit membership organization of scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system. Since its inception in 1969, the Society has grown from 500 members to more than 40,000. Today, SfN is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to advancing understanding of the brain and nervous system.
