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Wachovia Corp. cashes in on pilot LEED for Retail program with new prototype
By Sandie Pope
When the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards in 2002, they were targeting new construction. And while the green rating system has since expanded to include other project types, it’s remained difficult for many retailers to comply, since key criteria do not necessarily apply to retailers’ specific needs. But that’s about to change.
Two retail pilot projects – LEED for Retail and LEED Volume – are now underway. The LEED for Retail effort includes tracks for both commercial interiors (CI) and new construction (NC), while the Volume pilot will allow retailers and other volume builders to certify all subsequent projects once an initial prototype has met the established criteria. The pilots are conducted through a rigorous, multi-step process designed to gather feedback, draft, test and ultimately document point modifications and/or alternative compliance paths in new application guides.
Callison is participating in both pilots simultaneously through our work with Wachovia Corp. The financial services provider asked us to develop a prototype to support its brand expansion into the Western market, while reflecting the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Holley Henderson, an eco-consultant who has also served on the USGBC’s National LEED-CI Faculty and Curriculum Development Committees, is working with the Callison team on this project.
Together, we’ve developed a prototype consisting of three baseline models that can be easily translated across regions. A flexible kit of parts, including finishes and signage, allows for regional adaptability and design standardization while presenting a consistent image for Wachovia.
By 2010, Wachovia plans to open more than 300 branches designed and built in accordance with LEED for Retail standards. (The company is also building a 1.2-million-square-foot corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., in accordance with LEED NC Gold standards.) By the end of 2008, every new Wachovia financial center throughout the U.S. will be built to LEED specifications.
Southern California customers will be the first to experience the green banks in December, when the new LEED prototype debuts in Los Angeles with a 35 percent reduced lighting power supply and an impressive 60 percent recycled-content factor.
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