WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Portland Cement Association (PCA) furthered the cement industry’s commitment to sustainable development with the recent LEED® Commercial Interiors (CI) Silver certification of its Washington, D.C., offices. 

PCA moved their offices to the headquarters at the National Association Realtors building on June 26, 2007.  The concrete-framed, glass-clad structure built on a brownfield site is the District’s first LEED-certified new building, achieving a Silver Rating.  Short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED is the widely accepted rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED for Commercial Interiors recognizes high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work, are efficient to operate and maintain, and reduce environmental footprint.  The building's certification addresses the structure and its construction.

Most of the materials used in the office design contain recycled materials, are manufactured within 500 miles of the office and emit very low VOCs. 

The office space was designed to capitalize on the building's access to daylight and views.  All interior offices have glass fronts, which allow daylight to penetrate the space and lessens the need for electricity.  Daylight responsive controls were installed in all regularly occupied areas to manage light levels. 

PCA’s offices exceed the water efficiency requirements by more than 30 percent and more than 70 percent of the appliances and office equipment are ENERGY STAR® rated. Additionally, the location provides PCA employees easy access to commuter rails and busses and is near a health club. 

PCA worked with FOX Architects, a nationally recognized design firm, in Washington, D.C., to achieve the necessarily elements for certification.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

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