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ARMSTRONG HEADQUARTERS RECEIVES LEED-EB PLATINUM CERTIFICATION

Armstrong’s headquarters, built in 1998, is only the sixth existing building – and the first outside of California – to achieve the highest certification offered.

Among the building’s characteristics that contribute to its environmental performance are its:

  • Use of clean, renewable energy – 75% of the building’s power is supplied by wind energy, the equivalent of planting 149,000 trees or removing 300 automobiles from the road;
  • Reduced energy use – Armstrong’s headquarters uses less than 1.5 watts/square foot, half the nationwide average for comparable buildings;
  • Reduced water use – The building reduced water use from 800,000 gallons to 420,000 gallons;
  • Recycling program – 60% of the building’s waste is recycled;
  • Maintenance – Environmentally responsible, Green Seal-certified cleaning products are used;
  • Improved acoustics – Armstrong acoustic ceilings and sound-absorbing surfaces are used throughout the building;
  • Landscaping – Eliminates irrigation and provides erosion control and measured storm-water run-off into adjoining wetlands.
USGBC President and CEO S. Richard Fedrizzi said, “Armstrong has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the environment by achieving LEED-EB Platinum Certification. Armstrong’s headquarters is a model for companies seeking to introduce sustainable, environmentally friendly practices into their facilities.”

Armstrong Chairman and CEO Michael D. Lockhart said, “Armstrong is committed to environmental sustainability. Modifying our headquarters building to enable it to be platinum certified is a concrete manifestation of that commitment. The Armstrong team that conceived and executed this project demonstrated that we can significantly reduce our impact on the environment by changing the way buildings are designed, built and used.”

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In presenting the award to Armstrong, USGBC President and CEO S. Richard Fedrizzi said, “Armstrong has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the environment by achieving LEED-EB Platinum Certification. Armstrong’s headquarters is a model for companies seeking to introduce sustainable, environmentally friendly practices into their facilities.”

"Congratulations to Armstrong on a smart business move, and on leading the way to a green and healthy environment,” said Kathleen A. McGinty, secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection. “By cutting utility costs and providing a healthy workplace for employees, green buildings provide a strong competitive edge. Green buildings are a win for our environment, and a win for the bottom line."

USGBC’s LEED® Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable commercial-use buildings. For Platinum Certification, Armstrong’s headquarters building was evaluated for site sustainability; water efficiency; energy efficiency; use of materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and design innovation.

Click on these symbols below [+/-] to learn more about each characteristic.

[+/-] ENERGY STAR

Building 701 was recognized in 2006 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for demonstrating superior energy performance, earning their coveted ENERGY STAR designation, and ranking it among the top 25% of energy-efficient buildings in the U.S. LEED credit EA 1.

[+/-] Wind Power

Two million kilowatt hours or 75% of the electricity we use is generated from wind turbines located offsite. That’s like not producing 1,100 tons of CO2 every year. Wind is a clean, 100% pollution-free, alternative energy that saves natural resources. EPA Green Power Partnership encourages the use of green power to reduce the risk of climate change. LEED credit EA 2.

[+/-] Superior Acoustics

Building 701 is rated superior for sound absorption. The use of Optima 1” thick acoustical ceiling panels achieves AC 200. Furniture systems are rated superior on their ability to block sound, achieving STC 25. And, our success covering background noise also rated superior due to our i-ceilings electronic masking system that delivers 48 dBA spatial variation. LEED innovation credit 1.3.

[+/-] Waterless Urinals

Reducing water usage is an important part of protecting and preserving our environment. The use of waterless, touch-free urinals saves an average of 40,000 gallons of fresh water per urinal, each year. LEED credits WE 2, WE 3.

[+/-] Green Cleaning

By identifying and specifying environmentally friendly paper cleaning products, we are able to be ‘green’ while saving $4,400 a year campus wide. And, there’s satisfaction in knowing that all cleaning products are free from odor and VOCs, making for a more pleasant and productive working environment. LEED credits MR 4, IEQ 10.2-10.6.

[+/-] Landscaping Efficiencies

Throughout the campus, landscaping plays an important role in sustainable design. The plants selected require minimal maintenance and no irrigation. They are also part of an erosion control system that provides a catch basin for run-off water and its measured release into the adjoining wetlands. Composed waste is used for weed control and as a bed for walking paths. LEED prerequisite SS 1, credit SS 1.

[+/-] Transportation Efficiencies

Employees are encouraged to carpool and ride their bikes to work. A covered bicycle storage area has been provided. And, there are preferred parking spaces for carpool vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Saving energy going to and from work is as important as onsite energy savings. LEED credits SS 3.2-3.4.

[+/-] Recycling

Based on the waste audit, the LEED-EB recycling team concluded that our recycling program for paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastic and glass exceeds the USGBC recycling criteria. We are effectively recycling over 60% of the building’s total waste. Recycling not only bypasses landfills, it saves natural resources. LEED prerequisite MR 1.1, credit MR 5.

[+/-] Education

We’re committed to sharing the green building features of Building 701 with others through an educational outreach program that includes guided tours of the facility, as well as internal and external communications. LEED innovation credit 1.4.

[+/-] Water Efficiency

Dual-flush toilet valves, low-flow faucets, waterless urinals, and no-irrigation landscaping are just some of the ways water usage is minimized. The combined LEED initiatives in building 701 has resulted in a water use reduction of 30%, or more than half a million gallons annually. LEED credits WE 1, WE 2, WE 3.