Encore Wire R&D center awarded LEED Platinum certification
Encore Wire Corp. of McKinney announced Oct. 13 that its 13,000 square foot new Research and Development Center has been awarded LEED Platinum certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBSI).
The project was designed by architectural firm Page Southerland Page LLP of Dallas, under the leadership of Vice President Michael McCoy. MYCON General Contractors of McKinney provided construction services with Project Manager Damon Norman documenting and managing LEED construction guidelines.
"The commitment to build and maintain a 'green' building of this nature highlights Encore's positive corporate attitude regarding energy savings, sustainability, responsible environmental operations, and stewardship of the community," said Todd Clayton, Encore Wire vice president-facilities engineering, in a news release.
LEED certification of Encore Wire was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
- Parking lot designed to optimize space with preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles and carpools using high albedo concrete to decrease "heat island effect." The Albedo effect is the percentage of incoming radiation reflected off a surface; therefore, lighter colored surfaces have a greater albedo effect in reducing global warming.
- Protection and repair of native habitat throughout construction
- Use of high efficiency, low wattage exterior lighting to decrease light pollution of surrounding environment and community
- Ultra efficient fluorescent interior lighting with photocells, allowing them to respond to the amount of sunlight coming through windows
- For maximized ambient light and daylight views, 95 percent of the building envelope is glass
- Roof-mounted solar panels, to minimize grid-supplied electric power
- Office furniture, laboratory casework and accent paneling use rapidly renewable bamboo and/or recycled materials
- Where applicable, construction materials were purchased from manufacturers within 500 mile radius
- Indoor air quality control program.