Feb 8 2011
Scripps Networks Interactive announced today that its headquarters facility has been awarded LEED® Gold certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
Scripps Networks Interactive Headquarters in Knoxville
Scripps achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for workers and the larger community.
“The new office space incorporates sustainable concepts that are more than just good environmental stewardship,” says Pete Crowley, senior vice president of property development and facilities management for Scripps. “The smart design saves money through efficient use of resources while the open, communal feel promotes collaboration and creativity among employees.”
The company opened the 150,000-square-foot headquarters expansion on Sherrill Boulevard last March. From the building’s inception, planners were committed to creating a sustainable solution that is energy-efficient and provides a comfortable and healthy work environment. The new facility, carefully wrapped around an existing lake, is a modern four-story building with a two-story parking deck. The original facility, now dubbed the technology center, is undergoing a complete remodel utilizing similar materials as the newer structure.
“Scripps should be proud to be one of only a handful of Gold certified new construction projects in the state,” says Steve Weiand, chairman of East Tennessee’s chapter of USGBC. “Through this project, Scripps embraced a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing the importance of site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.”
LEED certification of Scripps’ headquarters was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
- An under-floor air system that doesn't recirculate contaminated air and allows for individual control of airflow;
- Occupancy-sensored lighting in each workspace that shuts off after a period without motion;
- No off-gassing materials such as carpet and paint to ensure a healthy environment;
- A white roof that reflects light and decreases energy use;
- No-irrigation landscaping and drought-resistant plants for reduced water use;
- Natural indoor materials such as cork and bamboo flooring and seating made of recycled materials;
- A two-story parking deck that eliminates acres of surface concrete and provides alternative fuel vehicles with preferred parking; and
- A narrow building footprint and special exterior glazing to maximize the number of occupants with direct natural light.
Home to popular cable television networks HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Travel Channel, Great American County (GAC), and Cooking Channel, Scripps currently employs more than 2,000 people -- including nearly 1,000 in Knoxville. Additional Scripps Networks’ offices across the country include locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Nashville, San Francisco and Chevy Chase, Md.
Source: http://www.scrippsnetworks.com/