American Society of Hematology Unveils New LEED® Platinum Certified Headquarters

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Today, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) celebrated the opening of its new headquarters at 2021 L Street, NW, in downtown Washington, D.C.  At this event, which was attended by members of the Society, representatives from the association community, and other local leaders, ASH announced that the building had been designated LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum for New Construction, making ASH the first nonprofit association in the country to achieve LEED Platinum certification on a commercial office building larger than 80,000 square feet.  ASH's headquarters is now one of only seven LEED Platinum commercial office buildings in the District of Columbia.

"Our 50th anniversary in 2008 was a milestone that prompted us to consider a permanent home for ASH," said Hal E. Broxmeyer, Ph.D., President of ASH and Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.  "The leadership of the Society was committed to staying in the Washington metropolitan area, and it was important to us to create a welcoming home for our members from around the world, as well as a productive and comfortable environment for our staff."

LEED Platinum certification is the most difficult and highest designation given by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which developed a certification system to guide organizations in building and renovating space with sustainability in mind.  Many of the materials used for the ASH facility were regionally sourced and manufactured using recycled products, including the wood materials, which are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a nonprofit organization that encourages the use of products harvested using an environmentally responsible method.  Notably, the design and construction costs remained within ASH's budget – and the space will continue to prove cost- and energy-efficient, with plenty of natural light, low-flow plumbing and water-efficient showerheads, a motion-sensitive lighting system, and low-energy light fixtures.  

"It was always our intention to build this new space with sustainability as a priority, and it was only natural that we looked to the LEED rating systems and USGBC for guidance," said ASH Executive Director Martha Liggett, Esq.  "Achieving LEED Platinum status while staying on budget has put ASH at the forefront of the green building movement and is a tribute to our Executive Committee, staff, and our talented team of real estate development advisors."

The development team was led by AtSite and included architects RTKL, Forrester Construction, and engineering firms GHT and KCE.

The new headquarters building features a multi-media conference center, fitness facility, and "ASH Club," which is a dedicated space where Society members can work, relax, or meet with each other while in D.C.

The American Society of Hematology (www.hematology.org) is the world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH provides Blood: The Vital Connection (www.bloodthevitalconnection.org), a credible online resource addressing bleeding and clotting disorders, anemia, and cancer. The official journal of ASH is Blood (www.bloodjournal.org), the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, which is available weekly in print and online.

SOURCE American Society of Hematology