USGBC ALabama Chapter

Stewart Perry Corporate Headquarters

Stewart Perry’s Corporate Campus Receives LEED Silver Certification

Birmingham, Ala. (May 27, 2009)—The U.S. Green Building Council confirms Stewart Perry Construction’s self-built corporate headquarters with Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification during a campus tour, how-to session and award presentation tonight at the Overton Road complex.

After 12 months of occupancy, the double digit efficiency numbers in operating the building include 21 percent energy savings and 24 percent water savings.  Some of the water saving is realized with low-flow toilets, low flow faucets, a low flow shower for bicycle commuters, a dishwasher using half the energy and one-sixth water, and water efficient landscaping with no irrigation required in the parking lot island.  Energy efficiencies are witnessed in the roof coating and Watt Stoppers lighting control sensors.

“Our goal was for a good looking building to symbolize our mission of representing responsibility and philanthropy to clients, the community and the construction industry.  That evolved into the USGBC initiative for LEED Certification,” said Merrill Stewart, President, Stewart Perry and LEED Accredited Professional.  “Hopefully, others can leverage what has been accomplished here, adapt it, and make new examples to follow.”

The LEED design includes sustainable exterior and interiors and uses more than 10 percent recycled materials, such as recycled plastic Trex decking, recycled aluminum gutters, and Interface brand carpet.  Many materials were also locally produced including the stone for the pervious patio and the exterior cement based stucco.

"It is time to get rid of the myths surrounding 'green' construction. This is a beautiful campus that is friendlier to our environment and creates significant savings on energy and water costs every month," remarked Robin White, President, USGBC Alabama Chapter.

The headquarters is a gathering place for the Stewart Perry family of employees and has become an anchor for the surrounding community. With a three-acre pond as the center of campus, neighbors are invited to use walking trails and enjoy the natural landscape.

The pond was a remnant of coal mining on the site and contained coal waste.  It was drained and cleaned out, refilled and stocked with 10,000 bass.  The pond is now aerated by three underwater fountains and a manmade waterfall that tumbles down the hillside opposite the headquarters.

Designed by Birmingham architects HKW, the $4.2 million, 16-acre corporate campus was built in 10 months.  The exterior plant material design and installation was performed by Landscape Workshop.  Piedmont Green Building Solutions was the LEED consultant on the project.

An appreciation for the land is present throughout the campus, from the screened office windows that decrease air conditioning needs to a parking lot paved with light asphalt topped with crushed limestone, which both limits heat island effect and directs stormwater to flow into a manmade creek planted with cattails and iris which filter the water before it reaches the pond.

“We all make daily choices about how we will or will not be good stewards of our environment.  I believe what Stewart Perry has done here with our building, in our own part of the world, has shown others what can be achieved with a common sense approach to the environment,” said Stewart.

All are invited to Stewart Perry’s campus for a first-hand look at the LEED design in action, located at 4855 Overton Road, open tonight from 5:30-7:30 PM for self-guided tours.

About Stewart Perry

Stewart Perry, a commercial contracting and civil management group based in Birmingham, Ala., builds projects throughout the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Specialty areas include community, retail, automotive, warehouse, light industrial and green building projects. In an effort to lead the sustainable building movement by example, the company recently constructed a corporate campus built to LEED specifications. The award winning headquarters, set on 16 acres of restored land, embody the Stewart Perry mission of representing responsibility and philanthropy to clients, the community and the construction industry. For more information on the new headquarters and project galleries, visit www.stewartperry.com.

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