{"id":4355,"date":"2013-10-02T20:18:21","date_gmt":"2013-10-02T20:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wbcnet.org\/member_news\/gpiaes-rockville-office-awarded-leed-platinum\/"},"modified":"2013-10-02T20:18:21","modified_gmt":"2013-10-02T20:18:21","slug":"gpiaes-rockville-office-awarded-leed-platinum","status":"publish","type":"member_news","link":"https:\/\/www.wbcnet.org\/member_news\/gpiaes-rockville-office-awarded-leed-platinum\/","title":{"rendered":"GPI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Rockville Office Awarded LEED Platinum"},"content":{"rendered":"

\tGPI <\/span><\/strong>is pleased to announce that their office at 530 Gaither Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD has been awarded LEED Platinum certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Interior Design and Construction category. GPI is the first engineering firm in the State of Maryland to achieve the highest level of certification for their own space.<\/p>\n

\t“Our LEED Platinum certification demonstrates our commitment to the environment and sustainability to our clients and community. We understand the importance of a sustainable engineering design approach to HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems,” said GPI Senior Vice President Lew Brode. “I would like to congratulate our entire design and construction team for achieving this level of certification. It exemplifies our dedication to the design of high quality, sustainable spaces for GPI and for our clients.”<\/p>\n

\tLew adds, “It was important that we design our office as a ‘lab’ to showcase our sustainable features so that we could easily share this knowledge with our friends in the AEC industry. Education is extremely important to GPI. We have hosted over 30 educational presentations in our office in 2013 to both friends in the industry, as well as to our own employees.”<\/p>\n

\tSite selection was the critical first step. GPI worked with Adam Schindler of Serten Advisors (formerly Studley), to find a location convenient to staff, that allowed for GPI’s preconceived vision of their space, and that was sustainable in its own right. First Potomac’s Redland Corporate Center proved to be the perfect fit, as the first generation space that GPI chose features proximity to the Shady Grove Metro station and multiple bus lines, carpool and fuel efficient vehicle designated parking, bicycle parking and locker rooms, and other excellent amenities.<\/p>\n

\tGPI provided the engineering design for their own office, working with FORM Architects and Rand* Construction to complete the project. GPI utilized in-house 3D Laser Scanning to develop an accurately detailed 3D Revit model to allow for coordinated trade work. While most new tenants want to showcase finishes, GPI wanted to showcase the engineering systems they designed to make the space ‘work’. GPI desired an open ceiling structure to allow for display of the engineering infrastructure including fan powered VAV boxes, exhaust fans with fabric duct socks, a chilled beam cassette, ductwork, cable trays, control circuitry, and photo sensors. Employing a detailed model for overlay of trade drawings including the reflected ceiling plan allowed GPI to more easily determine how ceiling mounted systems could be showcased.<\/p>\n

\tRelationships with product vendors proved to be invaluable. The design team did not just specify, purchase, and install equipment and systems. Manufacturers provided input on equipment selections and the installation was carefully coordinated with contractors. Design and construction teams had weekly construction meetings and the end results were unquestionably improved because of this open and constant communication.<\/p>\n

\tTo reach the goal of Platinum certification, green features implemented in the office include:<\/p>\n