Innovation
As a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), The Weitz Company is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the environment. The USGBC encourages environmentally friendly design and construction by providing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification guidelines for buildings.
When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Omaha, Neb., needed a new office building, Weitz along with the entire project team incorporated environmentally friendly materials, processes and innovations to help maximize energy efficiency and minimize the impact on the environment. The project team’s dedication to constructing a “green” building for DHS helped make the facility LEED Gold Certified, the USGBC’s second-highest certification.
The 86,500 square foot, single-story office building houses the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Immigration and Citizenship Services. Even though this federal building was designed for superior security and sustainability, it does not lack in form, functionality or flow. In fact, one of the most important considerations during the planning stages was making sure the building would be inviting to those wishing to become U.S. citizens. After visitors enter the facility through a large glass atrium, they are welcomed and directed to the proper area.
Employees also benefit from beautiful aesthetics and purposeful innovation. Positioned in the center of the facility is a 12,000 square foot courtyard filled with fresh air and sunlight. Workers may enjoy the outdoors without the inconvenience of having to go through security checkpoints multiple times a day. Other visually stimulating and environmentally friendly features include plush, green landscaping, bamboo wall paneling and 12 skylights for natural light.
Building the wall system was an especially innovative process during construction. A combination of concrete masonry units, bricks and extra concrete created an extremely energy-efficient, secure and attractive exterior. The parking lot was also made of concrete rather than asphalt to help reduce the heat-island effect. Some of the floors are made with terrazzo, and others are covered with low-VOC carpet tiles that can be returned to the manufacturer for recycling. A rainwater collector replenishes water as it’s used, and low-flow fixtures conserve it.
Weitz’s environmental role during the DHS building process included waste prevention and recycling. The project team was responsible for providing designated dumpsters for each recyclable material — metals, concrete, wood scrap, drywall, paper, glass, plastics and carpet. As a result, 80 percent of construction waste was recycled to help minimize the impact of construction on the environment — that’s 400 tons of material recycled thanks to Weitz’s expertise in green innovation.