LEEDing the way at PHL

A collaborative effort has led the US Airways GSE Building Design Project at Philadelphia International Airport to achieve approval for 19-of-19 LEED^® credits.

Marvin Waxman Consulting Engineers (MWCE), a subsidiary of Urban Engineers, Inc. and teaming partner The Sheward Partnership, are attempting to have the design for US Airways achieve Silver certification, which requires a total of 33 LEED^® points.  The project was recently awarded the first 19-out-of-a-possible-19 design credits from the US Green Building Council. The remaining 14 credits needed for certification are construction and post-construction credits, which are the responsibility of the general contractor.

 MWCE was responsible for eight design credits, including:

Water Use Reduction (two credits)

Optimal Energy Performance (two credits)

Enhanced Refrigerant Management (one credit)

Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring (one credit)

Controllability of Systems-Thermal Comfort (one credit)

Innovation and Design Process for 40% Water Use Reduction (one credit)

Using energy-efficient, domestic water heating and HVAC equipment, MWCE was able to achieve a 19.6 percent savings in energy usage, which will result in an energy cost savings of approximately 15 percent.  The use of high-performance, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, such as 0.125 gallon/flush urinals, 1.5 GPM showerheads, and 1.5 GPM kitchen faucets, will result in an annual water savings of approximately 33,000 gallons/year (48 percent).