Elevated Standards

When founder and ceo Hans Hess was developing the look and feel of his fast-casual organic burger chain, Elevation Burger (Arlington, Va.), his main criteria was that the space had to possess a signature look, and one that mirrored the sustainability focus behind the food.

With 36 locations worldwide, Elevation Burger (named for its “elevated product,” according to the company) serves 100-percent organic, grass-fed, free-range beef burgers that are freshly ground on premises daily. Additionally, the chain’s fresh-cut fries are cooked in olive oil and hand-scooped shakes are made with hormone-free milk.

The chain uses sustainable materials and energy-efficient equipment in its restaurants, including light sensors, compact florescent lighting, low-VOC paints and sealants, tankless instant-on hot water heaters and energy-efficient rooftop heating and cooling units.

A rapidly renewable board made of sorghum grass stock was specified for service counters and tabletops. Bamboo flooring reinforces the natural look and feel of the space.

The company recently announced that its Dallas location has become the first restaurant in the city to be awarded the LEED-Silver Certification.

“It was a no-brainer that Elevation Burger was going to use sustainable materials in our design, as that’s the guiding tenet behind our food,” Hess says. “We wanted to lower our carbon footprint both in how our beef is raised and how we provide a natural, inviting atmosphere for our guests.”

PROJECT SUPPLIERS

Retailer
Elevation Burger, Arlington, Va.

Design and Architecture
Lingle Design Group, Lena, Ill.; Carl Lingle, principal

General Contractor
Galen Galentine

Ceilings
Tecturn, Newark, Ohio

Equipment & Fixtures
Concept Services, Austin, Texas

Flooring
Ambient Bamboo, Jessup, Md.

Furniture
Wisconsin Built, Deerfield, Wis.

Lighting
Villa Lighting, St. Louis

Props/Decoratives
Kirei USA, Solana Beach, Calif.

Signage/Graphics
CSI, Falls Church, Va.

Wallcoverings & Materials
Kirei USA, Solana Beach, Calif.