Phoenix, AZ–(December 1, 2020)–Green Ideas Building Science Consultants recently completed their 100th LEED Certified project for CVS/Aetna’s building located in the Cotton Center Business Park in Phoenix, Arizona. The newly constructed 80,000 square foot business center owned by Workspace Property Trust and occupied by Aetna Insurance achieved 50 LEED points and was awarded LEED Silver level certification by Green Business Certification, Inc. The certification was the 3rd facility certified by Aetna within Cotton Center.
Developed by Workspace Property Trust, Vice President of Construction and Development Eric McHugh stated “Achieving LEED Certification for the new Cotton Center project is a high mark of building excellence for Workspace and our tenant, CVS/Aetna. We are laser-focused on efficient building operations and achievement of LEED certification for this project confirms that focus. Working with Green Ideas enabled us to achieve our intended results for this impressive project and we are honored to be Green Ideas’ 100th LEED certified project.”
The project implemented a wide variety of sustainable strategies to achieve high percentages of energy savings. The building features energy efficient elements including occupancy sensors and lighting controls, as well as highly efficient HVAC systems that contribute towards the facility’s 45% energy savings as compared to a typical new building. All workspaces utilize daylighting to reduce the need for artificial lighting, while providing employees with excellent views to the outdoors and creating a pleasant indoor environment.
Employee productivity was also a focus for the project. The space has been designed with several multi-function areas including a new concept called “collaboration stairs” which descend from the second floor to the café area, allowing approximately 75 people to gather for quick, informal meetings and also serves as a large gathering place for larger, “all-staff” events. All workstations were ergonomically designed to include sit/stand workstations to reduce employee fatigue, but employees can work from various locations throughout the building in order to improve productivity and enhance well-being. An outdoor patio seating area covered by sail shades encourages employees to enjoy the outdoors.
CVS/Aetna’s overall sustainability mantra was a focus of the facility design. Water efficiency was maximized through specification of low-flow plumbing fixtures and limited landscaping, which resulted in more than a 78% reduction of potable water use. Additionally, the project strategy focused on the use of sustainable and low-emitting materials, including low VOC paints, adhesives, flooring, composite wood products and furniture systems to further improve the indoor environment.
The project was a collaborative effort led by Workspace Property Trust, CVS/Aetna, Wespac Construction, Shive Hattery Architecture, Balmer Architecture, and Green Ideas Building Science Consultants. Green Ideas served as the High-Performance Building Strategist, Energy/Daylight Modeler, and LEED Consultant. Green Ideas’ President Charlie Popeck has worked closely with many building owners and developers since founding the Arizona Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council in 2002 and has been the consultant for 100 LEED certified facilities throughout the United States. Upon receiving LEED certification for the project, Charlie stated “We are honored to be working with such a forward-thinking client. The leadership that Aetna and Workspace has provided serves as a shining example of what can be accomplished when buildings are designed and built with the future in mind. These buildings will save the owner many thousands of dollars over the building’s lifetime”.
About Green Ideas® Building Science Consultants Established in 2002, Green Ideas is a full-service building science consulting firm offering high-performance building consulting, 3D energy and daylight modeling, building commissioning, and world-class high-performance building consulting services. The firm is designated as a LEED™ Proven Provider by Green Business Certification Inc. and is an industry leader specializing in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) consulting including charrette facilitation and certification services. Its clients are building owners, architects, engineers, contractors, real estate developers and facility managers as well as corporate entities wishing to establish business advantages through high-performance building practices. With a vision as bold as the results they achieve, Green Ideas is dedicated to transforming the market by promoting building science through a “triple bottom line” approach to business operations.
