Exelon HQ Goes Green

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Exelon’s Chicago headquarters with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Commercial Interiors (CI) certification. Exelon’s new green headquarters is the largest office space in the world to be LEED-CI certified at the platinum level, according to a press release from the USGBC.

Exelon consolidated its downtown Chicago locations and one suburban location to increase productivity and reduce long-term occupancy costs. To do so, Exelon chose to renovate existing space to LEED standards rather than building new. The project involved the design and construction of more than 220,000 square feet of office space on ten floors in an existing landmark building in downtown Chicago.

In its new green headquarters, Exelon has reduced electricity consumption by more than 43 percent and water consumption by 30 percent as compared to its previous space and has created a healthy and more productive work environment for its employees. From workstations, offices and conference rooms, all employees have outside views so they can benefit from natural light. In addition, air quality was improved through the use of low-emitting materials, paints, carpeting, furniture and finishes, and the installation of high-density air filters.

Exelon purchased more than 60 percent of the project and construction materials from manufacturers located within 500 miles to reduce emissions associated with transportation. Three-quarters of construction debris was recycled or salvaged, and almost one-third of furniture and other materials were reused to reduce waste.

Project contributors who worked with Exelon included ISI, interior designer; ESD, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer; HJKessler Associates, LEED consultant; Turner Construction, construction manager; Lighting Design Alliance, lighting designer; Talaske, audiovisual designer; Studley, project support; and CBRE/Project Advantage, move management.

Exelon Corp. is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities with more than $15 billion in annual revenues. The company has one of the industry's largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in northern Illinois and Pennsylvania and natural gas to approximately 480,000 customers in the Philadelphia area.

More information is available at www.exeloncorp.com and www.usgbc.org.