ENERGY STAR Building Design Profile

Eldridge III, a 300,000-square-foot office building in Houston, TX, was designed by Gensler to meet the sustainability demands of the local market and building owner Behringer Harvard's interest in environmental responsibility. As a real estate owner and manager, Behringer Harvard has made a conscious commitment to the environment, working to incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient practices when possible across its portfolio. Gensler also seeks to prove that green design is good design and adds to the health of the occupants, the building, the investment, and the planet.

To set and convey energy performance goals, Gensler and Behringer Harvard used EPA's Target Finder tool. Eldridge III rated 91 out of 100 in the tool, with an expected energy use reduction of 46 percent compared with similar buildings in the United States.

The design of the building contributes to sustainability attitudes in the City of Houston. Its prominent location in the heart of the city's energy corridor promotes the values of sustainability. Eldridge III will raise expectations and awareness of energy efficiency for Houston and the tenants that populate this highly prized market.

Design elements that help make the project energy-efficient include: glazing throughout the building; natural daylight access to more than 90 percent of occupied spaces; and a high-albedo roof membrane that reflects sunlight and reduces heat load in the summer. The building uses a variable speed centrifugal chiller for increased energy efficiency in climate control. All energy systems will be commissioned by a third-party expert to ensure maximum continued efficiency over the life of the building. The owner also intends to supply at least 35 percent of the building's energy through "green" energy providers.

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