The following comes from the General Services Administration's just released "Best Practices Special Edition: News and Views on Real Property and Workplace Policy," Fall 2002, which summarizes best practices offered by candidates for the 2002 GSA Achievement Award for Real Property Innovation. This example tells how the GSA was able to deliver "Customer Satisfaction through Sustainability" to its client, the Environmental Protection Agency, via a new laboratory building in Chelmsford, Mass.

The U.S. General Services Administration Public Building Services delivered a major "green" facility to the Environmental Protection Agency to satisfy its customer's needs and champion sustainable development. This successful partnership provided a facility that meets three major criteria set out by the customer:
• Construct a facility that is functional for its users
• Build a safe facility
• Create a facility as environmentally responsible or "green" as possible while adhering to the principals of life-cycle costing.

Green in this context is defined as a building that uses the best available materials and technologies to minimize consumption of energy and resources while maximizing the use of natural, recycled, and non-toxic materials. The EPA Laboratory in Chelmsford, Mass., is such a building. With some radical rethinking after the developer was selected, the laboratory now incorporates the following environmentally friendly features:
• Energy efficiency
• Water efficiency
• Solar power
• Green power (wind produced)
• Xeriscaping (quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment)
• Modular boilers
• Low volatile organic compounds materials and finishes
• Materials containing post consumer recycled content
• Construction waste management
• An alternative-fuel vehicle fueling station.

The move into the facility was conducted in an environmentally respectful manner using recyclable totes and packing materials made from recycled products. Since occupancy, a concerted effort at educational outreach to the design and construction communities and local educational institutions has taken place. In addition the experience has been shared with other New England federal property managing entities.

EPA and GSA accomplished this by rethinking the project after developer selection to incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™), a certification program sponsored by the United States Green Building Council. GSA procured in a very short time frame the services of a sustainable consultant and drew on the knowledge of the local utility providers as to efficiencies recommended. The GSA project manager and leasing officer encouraged partnering with the developer, general contractor, and its subcontractors. They sought alternative financing for the photovoltaic sunshade installation from the GSA Energy Center of Expertise.

The Chelmsford project won the White House Closing the Circle Award, as well as the GSA Environmental Award, the GSA Demolition Derby Award, and the Boston Federal Executive Board Excellence in Government Award for Creativity and Innovation.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.