Page 205 - The Green Building Bottom Line The Real Cost of Sustainable Building

EXISTING BUILDINGS 183

minor surface imperfections that had been visible when the bright afternoon sun floods
the lobby area, and are LEED compliant. (Each exceeds Green Seal GS-11 and com-
plies with California law.) Since Zolatone finishes are thicker and more durable than
wall paint; they require less maintenance, are easy to repair if damaged, and don’t
have to be replaced as often as paint. The finish has been in place for three years and
so far no repairs have been necessary. It was, however, more expensive than paint.
Zolatone cost $2,300 for materials and labor, while painting would have cost $700.
Carpet squares from Interface cover the floors of the main lobby and the elevator
lobbies, and are used in the hallways. Carpet squares have many advantages—they
provide the coverage and sound insulation of wall-to-wall carpet, but can be replaced
in sections or by the piece, as needed, when they become worn or if they are damaged
or stained. These carpet squares are manufactured in Interface’s LaGrange, Georgia
plant that is ninety-five miles from the building. They contain recycled content and are
fully recyclable.

TENANT SPACES
Four floors of the building are office spaces that are configured to suit the tenant.
Generally, our tenants sign five-year leases and pay rates that are competitive for the
area. To minimize adverse impacts and ensure compliance with building environmen-
tal standards, prospective tenants meet with a space planner and reach an agreement
about the design of the space before a lease is signed. Building standards included in
the lease spell out the types of carpeting, cove base, and paints that may be used. There
are five color choices for carpet and a selection of paint colors. The carpeting is
Green Label wall-to-wall carpet with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and a
high-recycled content, the molded cove base has recycled content, and paints must be
low VOC. Tenants work with our LEED accredited contractor, who specifies materi-
als and checks them as they come into the building. Tenants are encouraged to use
glass in interior walls to allow more daylight into offices and hallways. Carpet, dry-
wall, metal wall studs, porcelain, and copper wiring removed during renovations are
recycled by the contractor and/or our building engineer.
The fourth floor of the building offers office suites with short-term leases. The suites
serve small and start-up businesses and offer a telecommuting option. Several busi-
nesses have incubated from Melaver Executive Suites to become long-term tenants
in the main building. It’s also where our Atlanta offices are located. Amenities for
tenants in the office suites include a shared reception area, a person to answer the
telephone, and shared copiers, fax machine, break room, and two conference rooms.
Tenant improvements are limited to carpet and paint, and MOAD standards apply.

HVAC IMPROVEMENTS
The HVAC system, now twenty years old, needed a thorough servicing. The goals
were to maximize the efficiency of the system and to add features that would improve
the indoor air quality of the building. To accomplish this, the chiller was rebuilt, a new