Little

In pursuit of LEED certification at the Silver Level, health and wellness were core pillars of the design and construction of Little’s new 54,933 sf office project in uptown Charlotte. With a walk score of 79, over half of employees now utilize alternative transportation for their commute. Water demand has been reduced by 32% from code. By installing a metering system, the firm is able to monitor usage, experiment with additional improvements, and continue to learn while educating others on the features and benefits of sustainability and wellness. 95% of the space’s equipment qualifies as Energy Star, and the firm has experienced a 60% reduction in utility costs from their previous location along with a power reduction of 15.7%. A waste diversion program eliminates waste cans at workstations in order to promote movement and reduce the amount of waste generated by convenience. 74% of construction waste was also diverted from landfills. The products and materials utilized were selected with human and environmental sustainability in mind. Products with third party labeling and testing, such as Declare, were primary choices. Many products were sourced within 100 miles through local artists and businesses. Poplar was chosen because of its natural flame spread resistance and because it is a non-allergen tree (adhering to both LEED and WELL). The idea of having log ceilings spawned from the desire to incorporate elements that are unique to Charlotte, including our significant park acreage and tree canopies. An extensive MERV and carbon air filtration system eliminates particles, ozone, and other chemicals from the environment, and complements the use of low VOC and no off-gassing materials. A green cleaning and pest management program is also in place. Focusing on the level of HVAC noise for acoustic comfort, separating three floors to filter water, and being able to meter our energy use all required creative, cross-functional approaches in identifying implementation solutions that met sustainability requirements.