Anshen+Allen Snag LEED Silver for Columbus Office

Nearly 70 percent of the 5000-square-foot Buggyworks Building's existing architectural elements were preserved, including brick walls and concrete floors.

Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 10/5/2009 12:00:00 AM

In a coup for one of the nation's largest architectural firms, the U.S. Green Building Council has bestowed a LEED Silver certification upon the Midwest office of international powerhouse Anshen+Allen.

The firm was honored for its interior renovation of the 1902 Buggyworks Building in the fast-growing Arena District of Columbus, Ohio, making it one of the oldest buildings  to earn a national green certification for existing structures. The facility started life as the four-story Columbus Buggy Company, the world's largest producer of horse-drawn carriages at the time. Anshen+Allen preserved nearly 70 percent of the 5000-square-foot building's existing architectural elements, including exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and the split-level floor heights left over from the original loading dock. Additionally, more than 60 percent of the new materials used in the project were manufactured locally.

The firm also harnessed the water and energy saving features it has been developing through its work on sustainable healthcare facilities to reduce water usage by 40 percent—or 26,000 gallons per year—through low-flow toilets, sinks, and shower fixtures, and energy usage by 20 percent with low-wattage lighting design and controls.

Air quality was addressed through the use of low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet systems, and furniture and products certified under the Cradle to Cradle program, all of which led to the LEED Silver rating.

"Anshen+Allen is proud to receive this recognition and to set a new standard for Columbus, Ohio and the nation," says firm principal Greg Mare. "More than just the design of our new office, this represents the culture of our firm, our commitment to how we practice healthcare architecture and the expertise we bring to every project we design."



Images courtesy of Anshen +Allen.