New Roof on Georgia-Pacific Center Achieves Lofty Goals
September 30, 2011
The 52-story Georgia-Pacific Center is a landmark on the Atlanta skyline. Built in 1982, co-owned by MetLife and managed by Jones Lang LaSalle, the building features a distinctive stair-step shape, pink granite exterior and has recently been remodeled inside.
Economic rough spots can be driving forces for change. In the 1970s, skyrocketing fuel costs forced car makers to increase mileage and builders to tighten homes and increase insulation to save energy.
The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center serves as both a museum and a scientific research facility for individuals interested in how the ecosystem functions at the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers.
In February, President Obama announced the Better Buildings Initiative, a multi-pronged effort to make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade by encouraging private sector investment through incentives to upgrade schools, universities and municipal facilities, as well as offices, stores and other commercial buildings.
Chicago has long been known as the Windy City. But Chicago is earning a new nickname - “Green Roof City.” Much of the credit goes to the Public Building Commission (PBC), which oversees public buildings across the city.
While sustainability is on the forefront of clients’ minds, it is often perceived as the more expensive option. In fact, a McGraw-Hill Construction study showed the largest obstacle to green construction is the perception of an increased cost. Educational institutions in particular are concerned with achieving sustainable design at a value, as they are often dealing with limited budgets and public money.
It’s only a matter of time before solar applications will revolutionize the roofing industry, and the sooner roofing contractors see the light, the better off they’ll be.
As homeowners, commercial entities and other organizations look to “go green” to reduce their energy consumption, costs and overall carbon footprint, solar power has emerged as an attractive form of alterative energy.
When embarking on a sustainable plan that has the potential to transform a campus, why not start with a highly visible bang? Providence College in Providence, R.I., recently seized such an opportunity by installing thin-film building integrated photovoltaics on the roof of the Slavin Center, the college’s student center.
