JE Dunn Achieves LEED Gold Headquarters
As long time readers know, I am originally from Kansas. While green buildings have been common in DC for some time, the Midwest is just now starting to develop its own green building market. I was extremely excited to get an opportunity to tour one of the newest green buildings in Kansas City.
Tim Dunn at JE Dunn Construction, one of the largest construction companies in the Midwest, recently showed me around the firm's green headquarters. At the time of my tour in December 2009, the construction team was anxiously awaiting word from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) regarding its application for LEED Gold certification. Last week JE Dunn announced the building successfully achieved Gold certification and Tim was kind enough to send me some photographs.
One of my favorite components of the building is the exposed concrete. The building feels like it should be the headquarters of a modern construction company.
But here's why the new LEED-certified building really makes sense for JE Dunn:
"JE Dunn used its headquarters, which it describes as the first LEED Gold certified corporate headquarters in the city, to demonstrate its green building practices and standards."
I often hear the same question from contractors and subcontractors: how do I break into the green building industry? One option is to build your own green building to demonstrate your expertise. If you can't afford to build a new building, why not demonstrate some retrofitting techniques on your existing building? When clients come in, show off your green components.
How else can a contractor demonstrate its commitment to the green building industry?
Related Links:
JE Dunn Construction headquarters gets LEED Gold certification (KC Biz Journal)
JE Dunn Construction (JE Dunn)
So who was the designer?
Ty,
The designer was 360 Architecture. We'd be glad to share information/answer any questions you have.
Regards,
Chris DeVolder
Sustainability Coordinator
360 Architecture
I too visited JE Dunn's new headquarters - very impressive.
In answer to your question "How else can a contractor demonstrate its commitment to the green building industry?", we hope (as a manufacturer) that contractors take a little more time to investigate the equipment they are installing AND how it will affect the overall system efficiency. A system and the purchased equipment can be designed for one design point, but they probably don't operate 24/7/365 at that point. An operation profile should be determined, and the system/equipment should be selected to optimize the building efficiency. Some contractors, like JE Dunn, get "it" and are doing this; others have a way to go.
Greg Towsley
Grundfos Pumps Corp.