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First LEED Gold in Chicago's Merchandise Mart

The design teamed did away with incandescents--without sacrificing on design.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 11/7/2007 12:00:00 AM

Contract furnishings destination the Merchandise Mart in Chicago has its first showroom with a LEED Gold rating. For a green design by Chicago-based Q Studio, carpet manufacturer Milliken Contract was awarded in the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED for Commerical Interiors version 2.0 category.

The certification recognizes smart sustainable decisions including the elimination of "power hungry incandescents." Q Studio was able to reduce the watts consumed per square by more than 25 percent below the required criteria.

"We made sure that the product looked it best without sacrificing color and brightness under the new metal halide lights,” says Q Studio designer John Seegers.

Flooring consists of Milliken carpet with TractionBack. The carpet also features MilliCare Textile and Carpet Care, an innovation designed to improve air quality.

In addition to Q Studio, the project was completed in collaboration with LEED administrators Catalyst Partners, commissioning firm dbHMS, contractor Bear Construction, and engineers Environmental Group and WCW Engineers.

Milliken Contract is a division of textile and chemicals manufacturing company Milliken & Co.

Photos courtesy of Milliken Contract.