WIESBADEN, Germany (June 26, 2012) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District announced today that it has been awarded the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification of a U.S. facility in Germany. LEED, established by the U.S. Green Building Council, is an internationally recognized program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
The district's LEED-certified project, a 285,000-square-foot U.S. Army Europe headquarters building recently named the Gen. Shalikashvili Mission Command Center, achieved more than one first today. The building is also the Corps of Engineers' first international LEED Silver certified project.
"The Shalikashvili Mission Command Center is a benchmark project and symbolizes the transformation of U.S. Army Europe and innovation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Col. D. Peter Helmlinger, Europe District commander. "The newly built Shali MCC demonstrates engineering innovation, value, and commitment to energy and environmental sustainability. It is fitting that the Shali MCC will serve as the new USAREUR headquarters, is the first LEED Silver certified building for U.S. forces in Germany, and USACE's first international LEED certified building."
The Shali MCC achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings, like the Shali MCC, save the U.S. Army and the U.S. taxpayers' money. The facility also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to a healthier environment for Soldiers and civilians working in the building and for our host nation community.
"The U.S. Army implemented LEED standards because they had goals to be more sustainable, to be more energy efficient, use less water and provide a better working environment for the people inside the buildings," said Rich Gifaldi, the district sustainability engineering manager. "LEED is an efficient tool to be able to measure how well those goals are met."
USACE is committed to assisting the U.S. Army and all our partners reach environmental sustainability goals through tools like LEED certification, Gifaldi said. We strive to be good stewards of our precious natural resources for our future leaders.
"Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come."
LEED certification of the USACE constructed Shali Mission Command Center was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
• Energy: The Shali MCC is anticipated to save $120,000 per year in a energy costs. It is designed to perform 18 percent better than a reference building of its size and type.
• Water: The building is designed to use 42 percent less water than a baseline facility. This is anticipated to result in a savings of more than 1.3 million gallons of water per year.
• Waste Management: 98 percent of the construction waste from this project was diverted from a landfill.
• Local Materials: More than 55 percent of the materials used to construct this building were harvested (or recovered) and manufactured within 500 miles (800 km) of the project site in Wiesbaden, Germany. This reduces the carbon footprint of the project along with sustaining local businesses.
• Certified Wood: 100 percent of the wood building components are Forest Stewardship Council certified. FSC certification is a seal of approval for forest managers using environmentally and socially responsible forest management practices and to companies that manufacture and sell products made from certified wood.
• Indoor Air Quality: Low emitting materials including adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet systems were used throughout the project. In general, facilities built using materials with high Volatile Organic Compound content can contribute to building occupant illness and decreased worker productivity.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District Mission
The United States Army Corps of Engineers Europe District provides premier engineering, construction, stability operations, and environmental management products and services for the Army, Air Force and other U.S. government agencies and foreign governments throughout the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.
For more information, contact us via
Email: dll-cenau-pa@usace.army.mil
Website: www.nau.usace.army.mil
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