It’s been a while since our last blog post here at D+ and we’re hoping that absence has made the heart grow fonder! While we’ve been on hiatus, mountains have been moved and we are beyond excited to share some big news. D+ is moving to new office space this week and as important: We’re going green. This time next week we’ll be knee deep in our new Silver LEED Certified space…but until then, let us share some of the ways D+ is reducing our impact on the environment.

2008 GREEN INITIATIVES

Experience

• • Delucchi + has been a leader in marketing Green real estate since 1995
• • The company understands both the environmental and economic benefits of being Green

LEED Silver Office Space

• • The space was designed by a National Green Architectural firm, Kishimoto,Gordon,Dalaya PC (www.kgdarchitecture.com)
• • The landlord, The Tower Companies has been the preeminent leader in Green Development starting with Washington’s first Green building in 1995, Tower I at Tower Oaks (www.towercompanies.com)
• • We are making a significant investment to build out our new office space LEED Silver
  • o 5,600 Square Feet at 1828 L. Street NW, Suite 240, Washington, D.C. 20036
• • The space was designed to maximize daylight and views
  • o To increase worker productivity
• • Because the landlord purchases green energy, leasing this space vs. a standard building is the equivalent to not emitting 190,748 lbs of CO2 every year—or the equivalent of removing 22 cars off the road every year. The 10 year lease is the equivalent of saving nearly 2 MILLION pounds of CO2 or 220 cars off the road.
• • We are recycling 95% of the construction waste
• • We are spending 10% more on the space to meet LEED requirements (this is factored into the construction costs already)
• • All materials in the space are all non-toxic to enhance air quality and eliminate toxicity
  • o Teknion ie furniture line uses recycled metal for the frames, 100 percent recycled fabric, and frosted panels made of recycled materials. The height of the stations are 42” to meet LEED requirements for views
  • o The Teknion Contessa chairs are made from materials that are 85% recyclable
  • o All of the files in the space are made from recycled metal
  • o Origami desks are made from 89% recycled materials
  • o Expansion desks are made from 69% recycled materials
  • o The Shaw carpet tiles have a recycled backing
  • o All of the paint and sealers used are low VOC
  • o Ceiling tiles have a high recycled content
  • o All of the insulation is recycled cotton
  • o All of the metal studs are made from recycled metal
  • o We are using low mercury lighting that is designed to save energy
  • o All offices have occupancy sensors
  • o The appliances are Energy Star to save energy
  • o We are recycling and using all green cleaning products

ROI for Delucchi+

• • Increases worker productivity
• • Enhanced air quality reduces sick days
• • Helps with employee retention and recruitment since the company is “value based”
• • The overall space and designs enhance creativity
• • People feel better about where they work which results in positive morale
• • The space gives the company a competitive advantage since we market green real estate
• • It is nice when personal values can transcend with your profession

Amenity for the Staff

• • Located near two metro stations the company gives each employee a Metro card to encourage the use of public transportation
• • The design of open space and more shared “common” areas works well for teamed environments

Corporate Citizen

• • We are currently working with EPA Climate Leaders so that we can understand what our total emissions will be for our business with the new space and our business travel
• • We will then develop a program to offset these emissions to meet our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2010

The Landlord: The Tower Companies

• • We chose this landlord because of their commitment to the environment
  • o They buy 100% wind energy for all of their buildings which helps us offset our carbon footprint
  • o They mandate that clients meet 24 LEED points in all of their new leases
  • o They mandate the use of Green cleaning supplies which protect the indoor air quality in each tenants space
• • We are the Tower Companies first tenant who has certified space in their entire portfolio
• • Because this is an older building Tower Companies has invested $1.5 Million dollars to put in new air handling units so the building would meet pre-requisites for LEED certification
• • The Tower Companies have been our client since 1995

Find out how to reduce your personal carbon footprint and protect global warming:
www.carbonfootprint.com

www.climateprotect.org

Find out how you recycling efforts make a difference:
www.nrc-recycle.org/theconversionator/shell.html

See how we are going Green!
www.delucchiplus.com/green