In a city that loves talking about all things green, this may come as a bit of a surprise: the first—and only—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for a Chattanooga building was awarded on April 13. The Gold level certification was awarded to The Hamilton on Cherry, located at 714 Cherry Street in downtown Chattanooga, by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). An award presentation ceremony was held yesterday, with Mayor Ron Littlefield and the Chamber's Tom Edd Wilson in attendance. The mayor stated that the award "sets high standards and horizons for Chattanooga."
The early 20th century building, originally The Burk Hotel, was in danger of being demolished before a team including River Street Architecture, green|spaces, Fidelity Trust Company and Gentech Construction began planning its renovation. Many of the building's original materials were reused, including original floors, brick walls, stairs, framing lumber, and even the proverbial kitchen sink. And according to River Street Architecture, which has moved its offices to the Hamilton, the building now uses 30% less energy than before the renovations—and 50% less than their previous location.
Energy consumption is only one component of sustainable design and construction. According to the USGBC, LEED certification is based on sustainability performance measurements in the following areas:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy & Atmosphere
- Materials & Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Locations & Linkages
- Awareness & Education
- Innovation in Design
- Regional Priorities
Two North Shore has been approved as Chattanooga's first LEED retail development, though the certification level has not yet been determined. Other projects seeking LEED certification in Chattanooga include the new BlueCross BlueShield campus on Cameron Hill, the Southside Habitat House and the Carmike theater currently under construction downtown.
nbcreative on May 2, 2009
interesting that the RDC on Market St. has every accomplishment for LEED certification, and has been around for several years but just couldn't afford the actual title of LEED.
fred on May 4, 2009
Yeah, LEED whatever whooptie doo.
How much extra $$ is spent to get some sort of Al Gore ribbon plastered on the front door?
How much did the boy scout patch cost them? Hmm, Dirty little secret maybe?
Cat on May 4, 2009
Cost Information via GCBI.org; http://tinyurl.com/dg9otk
Patrick on May 4, 2009
Humm, I am surprised Fred has a computer to type on. Get with the times Fred! This is a very high honor for Chattanooga. I live in Atlanta and I am impressed. I know Architects in Atlanta, Savannah, Greenville, SC, and Knoxville struggling with just passing the exam required to start the process.
I wonder how much cutting the cost of my company's enery bill in half would equate to in $$$...hummm
Not just LEED, but GOLD certified! Way to go River Street Architecture!
mwillingham on May 4, 2009
LEED, Swine Flu, ASCAP... it's all a bunch of crap.
Robert T. Nash on May 4, 2009
We are D-E-V-O...
kevin on May 4, 2009
Mongoloid he was a mongoloid
One chromosome too many
Mongoloid he was a mongoloid
And it determined what he could see
And he wore a hat
And he had a job
And he brought home the bacon
So that no one knew
Mongoloid he was a mongoloid
His friends were unaware
Mongoloid he was a mongoloid
Nobody even cared