by Brianna Crandall — July 23, 2014—Digital television entertainment services provider DIRECTV’s renovation of its 299,000 square-foot headquarters building in El Segundo, California, shows the great potential inherent in a building renovation and points the way for other companies considering overhauling their facilities instead of building new.
The facility earned LEED Platinum certification, the highest available under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) category. It also holds a Silver LEED rating for the Core and Shell (BD+C) category.
The project was initiated in 2011, after DIRECTV signed a long-term lease that doubled its campus footprint in El Segundo. At the time, the lease was the largest office lease in California in the prior decade.
“Achieving LEED Platinum certification demonstrates our commitment to conserve energy and reduce waste from our operations, as well as our commitment to communities where we live and work. This certification reinforces our goal to reduce the carbon footprint of our U.S. operations by five percent by 2015, compared to our 2011 baseline,” said Mike White, DIRECTV chairman, president and CEO.
DIRECTV completely redesigned the space with a vision of creating a more collaborative, innovative and sustainable atmosphere, reflecting its premier video entertainment brand and commitment to environmental stewardship. Along with site characteristics, many other factors contributed to the LEED Platinum qualifications, including:
Energy and Atmosphere
- Used highly efficient mechanical equipment, controls and fresh air exchanges, also allowing employees to benefit from a healthier and more comfortable environment
- Reduced lighting power density by 21% with LED lighting
- Installed occupancy sensors for 96% of connected lighting
- Chose ENERGY STAR-rated products for 97% of installed equipment and appliances
Materials and Resources
- Diverted 96% of on-site generated construction waste away from landfill
- Used 18% building materials (by value) manufactured using recycled materials
- Used 46% building materials (by value) manufactured within 500 miles of the site
- Utilized low-emitting materials in systems, furniture, cleaning supplies, flooring systems, adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, and other products
The space earned an Innovation and Design credit through a Green Education program that kicked off with a presentation and tour for the USGBC West Los Angeles Chapter. Exemplary performance credits were also earned for lighting controls, energy efficiency, materials sourcing and waste diversion.
DIRECTV was able to achieve its vision with the collaborative support of JLL, which managed the project and the LEED certification process; AECOM, the architect and designer; ARC Engineering, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer; and Clune Construction, which provided construction services.
DIRECTV also developed a furniture liquidation program that repurposed 52% of the office furniture from the former building by gifting it to local charities. These efforts, combined with recycling and resale, reportedly resulted in 280 tons of waste being diverted from landfill.
