On the first week of September our chapter achieved the milestone of surpassing the ONE MILLON square feet of LEED certified buildings in our jurisdiction.

These are the facts:

• Total Certified Buildings: 20

• Total Gross Square Feet: 1,127,385.00

Pilot-tested in 1998, LEED fully launched in 2000 with the first rating system for new construction and major renovation projects. Since then, LEED has evolved to offer rating systems for existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell projects, homes, healthcare facilities, schools, neighborhood developments and more. 

This phenomenal achievement was not possible without the passion and involvement of our designers, contractors, developers, environmentalists, building officials, chapter members and green building supporters in general sending a powerful message that the commitment of transforming the way that buildings and communities are designed, built and operated are not only words and can translate into real, tangible success.


Thanks to All!

Luigi Seta, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Chair

You can now renew your LEED Professional Credential! The button is ready when you are, so log in, report your CE hours, and hit renew!

CREDENTIALS & CERTIFICATES

Need for additional family housing at Fort Bliss continues to grow

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa., Aug 02, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC announced today that its Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) military housing privatization project with the U.S. Department of the Army will begin an expansion phase covering the development and new construction of an additional 564 townhomes at Fort Bliss and the renovation of 220 homes at WSMR. Balfour Beatty Communities will oversee the design, construction, and overall management, maintenance and operational responsibilities for the housing units, which are expected to be completed in 2014.

"We could not have achieved this without the support and guidance of the Command leadership at both posts," said Chris Williams, President of Balfour Beatty Communities, "and we look to begin construction as soon as possible since housing for this project is greatly needed for our military members and their families stationed at Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range."

Balfour Beatty Communities assumed family housing at Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range in July 2005. As a result of various initiatives within the Department of the Army, there has been a significant increase in the military strength at both installations, as they transform their focus from training to becoming a forces command installation at both locations. This refocus has led to an increased need for new construction and renovations of family housing at both posts.

The 564 newly constructed townhomes at Fort Bliss will be designated for Junior Enlisted (JENL) and Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (JNCO) ranks and their families. The new units will consist of two story, four-plex arrangements, and one-story duplex handicapped accessible units. Design and appearance will resemble the recently constructed single family homes under the Company's existing Fort Bliss project. Additional amenities for the service members and their families will include two neighborhood centers with swimming pools, and several playgrounds. Renovations at WSMR will be made to the homes in the Pershing and Trinity neighborhoods, which will include whole house electrical upgrades and new HVAC systems as well as new lighted playgrounds in each neighborhood. To provide additional open space in the community, a total of 126 homes will be demolished and re-graded for future development.

"Sustainability and environmentally friendly development remain a key focus of our efforts as we expand to meet the needs of the military families we serve," said Williams. "Our sustainable efforts incorporated into the plan include features such as high-efficiency HVAC equipment, Energy Star compliant lighting fixtures and appliances, water efficient fixtures, and drought tolerant, native landscape materials to name a few, all built to LEED Silver standards."