Lancaster, Pa. — Armstrong World Industries announced that its corporate headquarters building has been awarded LEED Platinum recertification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Armstrong facility is the first building in Pennsylvania and among only 17 buildings globally to achieve recertification at the highest level possible under USGBC’s LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance) program and the first in the country to earn a recertification credit for its superior acoustic environment.
“Armstrong is committed to environmental sustainability,” said Matt Espe, Armstrong CEO. “Achieving recertification for our headquarters building is a concrete manifestation of that commitment and demonstrates that we can significantly reduce our impact on the environment by modifying the way we operate and maintain our buildings.”
To attain its Platinum recertification, Armstrong corporate headquarters, also known as Building 701, adhered to strict standards in five categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
Two additional categories—innovation in operations and regional priority credits—provided opportunities to earn extra points.
When it was originally LEED Platinum certified in 2007, Building 701 became the first commercial building in the country to earn an innovation credit for its superior acoustic design.
In 2013, Armstrong made improvements to raise the level of acoustic comfort in the open plan areas and was able to further reduce noise and improve speech privacy, resulting in a 29% increase in employee satisfaction. In awarding the Platinum recertification, the LEED review team found that Building 701 has an acoustic environment that is “measurably superior to that commonly found in conventional buildings to reduce occupant stress and improve comfort and productivity,” making it the first Platinum recertified building to earn an Innovation in Operations Credit for Acoustics.
Other environmental initiatives at Building 701 that contributed to its Platinum recertification are:
- Offsite, renewable wind energy supplies 100% of the building’s electrical power
- Partner in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership
- Energy Star certification each year for six consecutive years
- Reduced energy use at night with daylight housekeeping
- Reduced lighting energy use to half the nationwide average for comparable office buildings
- Reduced water usage by 45% with UPC and IPC-compliant plumbing fixtures and fittings
- Recycles 63% of the building’s waste
- Cleans with environmentally responsible Green Seal certified cleaning products
- 50% of the occupants commute to work via alternative transportation, including walking, bicycles, carpools, public transportation, and fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles