Gateway Green
Gateway Green will be designed to maximize the efficiencies and sensitivities in all of these areas, using the most current systems and best-practice design and construction methods, with the goal of achieving a LEED™ Silver or better standard. Some of the key LEED rating features that will be incorporated into the project design include:
- Reduction of storm water run-off; using run-off for landscape irrigation
- Green roofs and living walls to reduce urban heat gain
- Reduction in potable water use (low flush toilets / waterless fixtures)
- High performance building envelope to reduce cooling loads
- CFC-free mechanical equipment
- Lighting on daylight and occupancy sensors with user-managed controls; use of task lighting in place of area lighting.
- Low-VOC finishes throughout; mandatory 2 week ventilation of building interior spaces prior to occupancy
A Standard of Quality
The LEED standard is a very occupant-oriented approach to energy and environmental efficiency and, as a result, many of the direct benefits of LEED certification accrue to the tenant / occupant of a space. Energy savings on the building systems accrue to the tenant through lower ‘triple-net’ costs; and reduced loads on municipal services translate into lower unit rates for water and sewer.
Better interior environment, with natural lighting and exterior views for the majority of staff, translates into higher levels of productivity, higher staff morale, and lower absenteeism rates.
Many of the measures that will be taken to achieve LEED certification will be invisible to the average building user; but some, like the living wall and landscaped ‘green’ roof areas, will provide a direct and obvious benefit to the users and passers-by on a daily basis.
For more information on the LEED accreditation system, please visit:
The Canada Green Building Council
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LEEDTM focuses on five key areas:
- Sustainable Site Development
- Water Savings
- Energy Efficiency
- Materials Selection
- Indoor Environment Quality
LEED certification is an established, tested, verifiable, and industry-accepted means of measuring and achieving higher standards of energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity on building projects.
The LEED system uses a rating scale of standards and points to establish "levels" of achievement; Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The LEED process also establishes certain standards and methodologies for the design and development team to follow, and certain standards and "prerequisites" that must be followed by the construction team on-site; without these standards and practices in place a project cannot be considered for qualification as LEED certified.