The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognized LG’s North American Headquarters and the New York-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center for “contributing to the creation of sustainable, healthier, equitable and resilient buildings.”
Two new HOK-designed buildings have won USGBC Leadership Awards for sustainability and resilience. LG’s North American Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey, recently earned LEED Platinum certification, the USGBC’s highest ranking for environmental stewardship and the well-being of building occupants. The NewYork-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center—designed in collaboration with Ballinger and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners—was New York City’s first project to earn certification and the first in the state to achieve LEED Gold under the more stringent LEED Healthcare rating system.
“This year’s Leadership Award recipients are an inspiration and demonstrate how sustainability, resilience, health and wellness, and equity all play an important role in keeping communities safe and healthy,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC president and CEO.
LG’s 350,000-sq.-ft. new North American Headquarters protects iconic vistas and the integrity of nearby Palisades Park, a national natural and historic landmark. The design of the 27-acre campus preserved forests and wetlands and included the planting of 1,500 new trees native to New Jersey.
“The resilient design of the building supports the health and well-being of LG staff while also respecting and supporting the invaluable Palisades ecosystem and wider community,” said Kenneth Drucker, lead architect and design principal in HOK’s New York studio.
Use of LG’s own green building technology includes a highly efficient HVAC system and an 85,000-sq.-ft. rooftop solar array capable of generating 30 percent of the building’s power. LG employees benefit from an abundance of natural light within the building and easy access to outdoor terraces, Korean gardens, walking trails and an outdoor basketball court.
“Being honored by such a reputable industry authority as the USGBC for our new headquarters campus and our own green building technologies is a testament of LG’s commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking innovation across all aspects of our business,” said Thomas Yoon, president and CEO of LG Electronics of North America.
Like the LG North American Headquarters, the David H. Koch Center in Manhattan includes a large green roof that reduces storm runoff and helps cool the building. Forty percent of materials used in construction came from sustainable or recycled sources.
A resilient mechanical system, with critical infrastructure located above flood levels, ensures the hospital can remain operating during power grid outages caused by storms and other disruptions. Extensive daylighting provides patients and staff with access to natural light and views.