NRDC SF Office Building Receives LEED Platinum Certification

Guest post written by Chris LaCour

In December of 2021, the historic Hunter-Dulin building, home of NRDC’s San Francisco offices, was recertified to LEED v4.1 Platinum Certification status by the US Green Building Council. Utilizing the LEED Arc platform, the building at 111 Sutter Street in the Financial District in San Francisco was able to achieve the highest-level scores for energy, water, and waste. The scores are all out of 100 and the building attained scores surpassed both local and global averages in the 50’s and 60’s.

111 Sutter achieved an average energy score of 88 through its use of real-time energy management, daylight harvesting through sensors and LED lighting. The building achieved an average water score of 76, using low-flow water fixtures, limited irrigation and landscaping, and monitoring overall water consumption for all twenty-two floors of the historic high-rise. The building has a current waste score of 90 by providing tenants with color coordinated disposal lining to maintain waste source separation, composting bins, and complementary e-waste collection for all tenants. 

Along with these outstanding scores, 111 Sutter has set a goal for 100% of its electricity to be powered by renewable resources by 2022. The building also maintained an Energy Star label for twelve consecutive years and achieved a Fitwel certification by promoting health and wellness through the building’s indoor environmental quality. 

Why is LEED important?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) provides a framework for achieving sustainable green building infrastructure and their certifications are globally recognized. All NRDC offices have completed some level of renovation or construction with goals set by the latest LEED project standards or the NRDC Design & Construction Protocols. These standards not only promote healthier lifestyles and environmental benefits, but can also lead to operational cost savings for your building. 

Where can I learn more about LEED?

LEED offers online courses and events that can help provide more insights and guidance on green practices. For homeowners and residential tenants, you can also visit the US Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide for tips on creating a healthier, sustainable living space.