The global headquarters for Novus International in St. Louis, Missouri in the US is Platinum LEED certified, which is the highest designation that is offered by the United States Green Building Council. Platinum certification is available to buildings that demonstrate energy efficiency and sustainability. Prior to the new construction, Novus had two facilities in St. Louis, located 12 miles apart; one was the administration building and the other was the research lab. The $20 million project’s scope included renovation of the existing building in St. Charles, Mo., with a large addition that includes two floors of office space, 10 research laboratories, a state-of-the-art employee- and customer-training center, fitness center, and catering cafeteria. When being considered for certification, the Council uses several criteria in determining eligibility. These criteria include: energy savings, water efficiency, emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. In order to achieve Platinum LEED certification, a building must score between 52 and 69 points. Novus’s project totals, according to pre-certification estimates, were 69 points. Features of the Novus International global headquarters facility which contribute to the achievement of Platinum LEED certification include:
Electricity
The second largest array of solar panels in Missouri.
Exchanged all of the outdated, inefficient fluorescent light fixtures with new, more efficient models.
Fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights in order to take advantage of the natural day lighting.
Certificates have been purchased for 100% electricity from renewable wind sources on the Blue Grass Wind Farm in northwest Missouri and a wind farm in Texas.
Recycling
98% of the original building was reused, including walls, doors, and flooring.
98.4% percent of the on-site construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled.
Masonry was sent to an aggregate recycler. When it returned, it was reused on the site as fill under the parking lots.
Cardboard, plastics, and paper all were recycled in traditional methods.
All of the old lighting fixtures, including the lamps and the ballasts, were sent to recyclers.
One paper recycling container is available at every work station, and in copy rooms, lab offices, and the mail room.
Glass, metal, and plastic recycling containers are located at coffee stations adjacent to men’s and women’s changing rooms.
Cardboard recycling stations are located by the loading dock and in the mail room.
10% of the total materials cost came from salvaged materials. Novus purchased a large shipment of salvaged raised flooring from an old computer center.
31% of the total materials cost came from recycled content. Examples include countertops made from recycled milk jugs and scrap aluminum, fitness room floor made from recycled tires, and carpet containing recycled yarn.
Landscaping
The landscaping was designed to restore 53.4% of the area to its original, natural Missouri habitat.
Landscape using Missouri native grasses and plants such as grasses, sedums, and low ground cover designed to require no irrigation, equating to thousands of gallons of water saved each year.
A storm water system that will greatly reduce the environmental impact of runoff and improve water quality to receiving streams and eventually the Missouri River. More specifically, the addition of vegetated bioswales that divert stormwater from the municipal wastewater system.
Other
The HVAC was installed as an under-floor air distribution system that is extremely efficient with controls at individual workstations.
In the restrooms, exchanging all the older 3.5-gallon toilets with dual-flush 1.6-gallon tanks reduced the quantity of sanitary wastewater by 50 percent. In addition, urinals and lavatories were replaced with low-flow fixtures.
Preferred parking for numerous employees who drive low-emitting or fuel efficient vehicles that have scored above a 40 on the scoring system on the website.
Materials used
3Form 100 percent – Surface material made from recycled milk jugs and is used on countertops in the reception area.
Alkemi – Surface material made from recycled scrap aluminum and is used on a desk in the reception area.
IceStone – Surface material containing recycled glass and is used in the reception area and the coffee bar.
PaperStone – surface material made from recycled paper and used for countertops at the coffee bar.
Bamboo – Fastest growing hardwood in the world and is used on many of the wood surfaces in the building including doors and cabinets.
Wheat board – Engineered from straw fibers and was used instead of plywood.
Linoleum – Plant based material made from linseed oil and pine resin and used in flooring.
Cumaru – The Forest Stewardship Council standards ensure that this wood is harvested in a responsible fashion. The FSC certified Brazilian hardwood is used in the reception area and accounted for 66.76% of new wood-based costs.
