Boulder Colorado Commercial Real Estate Investments and LEED
Author: bouldercommerc
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of environmental sustainability, more and more buildings are gaining the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) evaluation criteria. Boulder, Colorado commercial real estate is especially interested in buildings with this certification because of the environmentally concerned nature of its citizens. In fact, the first LEED certified hospital in the United States was built in Boulder, Colorado in 2004. Boulder Community Foothills Hospital was granted the led certification because of the project's use of environmentally-friendly materials, an extensive construction waste management plan, use of native plantings, and exceptional attention to indoor air quality.
Energy efficiency measures resulted in energy savings of 30.6% compared to a minimally-compliant local code building. Building materials such as sandstone, gravel and brick were harvested and manufactured locally. Furthermore, 64% of the construction waste was recycled on the project. The goal of the hospital is to maximize the quality of patient care while minimizing the environmental impacts and operational costs. In 2006, the hospital was awarded the Environmental Leadership Award by Hospital for a Healthy Environment. Employees of the hospital view a clean environment as an important element to wellness; this idea was the foundation for the project that created the green hospital in Boulder, Colorado.
Commercial real estate companies must pay particular attention to the building and maintaining LEED certified buildings such as this one because sustainability is indubitably the future of real estate. Boulder Community Hospital has taken many small and simple steps to saving energy. For example, they considered the energy that was wasted when lights are left on in rooms without any people in them. To eliminate the problem, they borrowed from the refrigerator door mechanism. When the door is opened, the lights turn on and when it closes, the light automatically goes off. This hospital is an exemplary display of sustainability in Boulder, Colorado. Commercial real estate companies can take these simple energy conserving ideas and apply them to their investments all over the country.
Energy efficiency measures resulted in energy savings of 30.6% compared to a minimally-compliant local code building. Building materials such as sandstone, gravel and brick were harvested and manufactured locally. Furthermore, 64% of the construction waste was recycled on the project. The goal of the hospital is to maximize the quality of patient care while minimizing the environmental impacts and operational costs. In 2006, the hospital was awarded the Environmental Leadership Award by Hospital for a Healthy Environment. Employees of the hospital view a clean environment as an important element to wellness; this idea was the foundation for the project that created the green hospital in Boulder, Colorado.
Commercial real estate companies must pay particular attention to the building and maintaining LEED certified buildings such as this one because sustainability is indubitably the future of real estate. Boulder Community Hospital has taken many small and simple steps to saving energy. For example, they considered the energy that was wasted when lights are left on in rooms without any people in them. To eliminate the problem, they borrowed from the refrigerator door mechanism. When the door is opened, the lights turn on and when it closes, the light automatically goes off. This hospital is an exemplary display of sustainability in Boulder, Colorado. Commercial real estate companies can take these simple energy conserving ideas and apply them to their investments all over the country.
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