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CIA Goes Green: New Campus Helps LEED the Way
The CIA’s newest campus in Northern
Virginia represents the Agency’s most ambitious effort to date to
create a state-of-the-art work environment with a design that focuses on
“green” principles. The design is so effective that the campus buildings have
earned certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s prestigious
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating
System.
The first office building, which opened its doors in 2007,
earned LEED Silver certification, while the visitor center and central plant
each earned LEED Gold certification. New construction can earn one of four LEED
ratings – certified, silver, gold, or platinum. The campus houses 25 percent of
all LEED Gold certified buildings in the state of Virginia.
The second office building is currently under construction.
To earn LEED certification, the buildings performed well in
five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development,
water savings, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and materials
selection.
Sustainable Site
Development
- Comprehensive mass transportation program
- Preferred parking for low emitting and fuel
efficient vehicles and carpools
- Bike racks
- Public transportation to site
- Enhanced stormwater management
- Quality and quantity control
- Vegetated roof
- 22,000 square foot vegetated roof
Water Savings
- Over 40% potable water savings
- Low-flow water closets
- Water efficient faucets and showerheads
- Waterless urinals
- Native landscaping at central plant
Energy Efficiency
- Over 21% energy savings
- Occupancy sensors
- Daylight and tasklights
- Energy efficient appliances and equipment
- Building commissioning
- 100% renewable energy certificates for visitor center
Indoor Environmental
Quality
- 60% more fresh air supply
- Carbon dioxide monitors to provide fresh air
when necessary
- Individual lighting controls and extensive
outdoor views for occupants
- Low-emitting materials: paints, carpet, systems
furniture, sealants, wood
- Green housekeeping program
- Indoor air quality
- During construction management
- Before occupancy testing
Materials Selection
- Over 50% construction waste diversion from
landfill
- Over 20% recycled content in building materials
- Extensive use of building materials from regional
sources
- Recycling for building
As a result of these features, the buildings consume about
21 percent less energy and 40 percent less water, provide healthier indoor work
environments, and have less of an overall environmental impact than comparable buildings
of the same size and use.
“The first building is an
ecologically sensitive building - reducing our impact on the global environment
while improving the quality of the workspace for the individual,” said Camille
Hersh, chief of CIA’s Facilities. “The CIA has taken great care in creating a
comfortable workplace that fosters efficiency and collaboration while
respecting our natural resources.”
Posted: Jan 24, 2008 08:11 AM
Last Updated: Jan 24, 2008 11:52 AM
Last Reviewed: Jan 24, 2008 08:11 AM