PDR Becomes Houston's First Workplace to Earn LEED CI Platinum Certification

HOUSTON, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Planning Design Research (PDR), which creates high-performance work environments for companies around the globe, has become the first Houston workplace to earn the prestigious LEED CI (Commercial Interior Design and Construction) Platinum certification, the U.S. Green Building Council program's highest classification.

Located in Two Houston Center, PDR is the tower's first tenant to earn LEED certification. The 40-story building is certified LEED EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance) Gold.

Occupying the entire 39th floor, the office design demonstrates PDR's deep understanding of workplace and sustainability to create a balanced, healthy environment.  

"A healthy workplace is a competitive workplace – one that attracts the kinds of people you need to build a competitive advantage," notes PDR Principal Joanne Taylor.  "Our office mirrors the workplace we design for our clients."

LEED CI is the U.S. Green Building Council's green benchmark for the tenant improvement market.  According to the USGBC, LEED CI stands as the recognized system for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and have a reduced environmental footprint.

Highlights of the achievement include:

• 94% of PDR's regularly occupied spaces are day lit;
• 92% of its regularly occupied seats have a direct view to the outside;
• 78% of construction waste from its build out was diverted from the landfill; and
• 56% of materials used in the PDR workplace were manufactured regionally.

Other factors contributing to PDR's LEED CI Platinum certification are its selection of a site in a diverse and densely developed location within a sustainable office building; its efforts to reduce the lighting power density (0.74 watts per square foot, or 26% below the allowable by code); its use of low-emitting materials including paints, adhesives, flooring and furniture systems; greater than 35% water-use reduction, its superior indoor environmental quality; and the implementation of an ergonomic strategy throughout the workplace. 

PDR moved to its workplace in Two Houston Center in February 2011. 

Founded in 1977, PDR focuses on corporate architecture, working with Fortune 100 companies around the globe to create high-performance work environments for organizations which recognize the workplace as a key, strategic asset in promoting the effective integration of talent, process and technology.

SOURCE Planning Design Research