by Brianna Crandall — October 17, 2014—NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, announced last week that The JBG Companies won its Sustainable Development Award for 2014. The award is given annually to honor commercial real estate developers for outstanding new construction or renovation projects that incorporate innovative sustainable solutions, resulting in an environmentally efficient and economically successful property.
NAIOP honored JBG for its development of new offices for the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland. The 574,614-square-foot workplace emphasizes employee well-being and productivity. The Institute features greenery-filled interiors, wall panels of live plants, external natural landscapes, fitness trails and free shuttle service to nearby transit. LEED-certified, NCI utilizes the latest energy monitoring, demand-side management techniques and active utility rebates benchmarking.
Integrated approach
According to NAIOP, JBG used an integrated approach at the project to incorporate key sustainable principles such as balance of life-cycle costs; environmental impact; and occupant health, safety, security and productivity by:
- Going above and beyond the required LEED Silver Rating to achieve the LEED Gold Rating under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system;
- Utilizing building information modeling (BIM) to allow critical base building and tenant systems to be accurately coordinated in advance, minimizing field modifications and generating significant cost savings; and
- Achieving an ENERGY STAR score of 97 under EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
NAIOP adds that JBG has made significant exemplary advances in achieving more sustainable, higher performance buildings by focusing on five core areas throughout the development process:
- Supply-side management of energy commodities for opportunistic purchasing while controlling budget volatility;
- Demand-side management through active utility benchmarking, consumption visibility and audits, participation in utility rebate and demand-response programs;
- Green building certification for LEED and ENERGY STAR recognition;
- Sustainable operations and behavior for property team best practices, training and improved tenant engagement; and
- Technology adoption for sustainable advantage, cost savings and tenant retention.
Accessibility and Environment
JBG reportedly designed the NCI complex to create a workplace that enhances employee comfort, productivity, and healthy lifestyles, all while focusing on the overall well-being of the employees. The building features:
- Two vegetation-filled vertical surfaces in the lobby that are home to 2,400 plants;
- Materials and colors that celebrate life, and to avoid a cold, sterile “medical” look;
- Retail shops to further enhance a sense of community for building occupants;
- Pedestrian-friendly exteriors surrounded by greenery and natural landscapes;
- Fitness trails that connect to a full-service fitness center;
- Free shuttle service from the Shady Grove metro station; and
- A 2,000-space parking garage and 10,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and public gathering space.
The award will be presented at NAIOP’s Development ’14: The Meeting for Commercial Real Estate on October 28 in Denver, Colorado.
