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Phoenix — Jan. 20, 2015 — Green Ideas Sustainability Consultants recently completed LEED Gold certification for the Mariposa Land Port of Entry (MLPOE), one of the busiest land ports in the United States, for the General Services Administration (GSA).
Green Ideas was able to expedite the certification process once the project was completed by using its LEED Proven Provider status with the Green Building Certification Institute.
MLPOE was one of 11 GSA Design Award recipients honoring sustainable federal civilian workplaces and celebrating the best in federal architecture. The Nogales, Ariz., project started in 2000 and was recently completed by Hensel Phelps Construction. Designed by Jones Studio, the complex of buildings within the project houses five federal agencies and totals 115,840 square feet.
Green Ideas President Charlie Popeck said, "The MLPOE is one of the crown jewels in GSA's portfolio. It was an honor to have collaborated with such a talented and diverse project team to create one of the most energy and water efficient buildings that GSA operates".
MLPOE includes vehicle entry points, port buildings, and an oasis-like corridor that serves as a "safe zone" for officers and staff to relax. A highly reflective roof system collects and channels storm water into a million-gallon cistern under the site, where it is stored for irrigation. This results in a 100 percent reduction of potable water use for irrigation, which is incredibly significant considering the extensive landscape amenities that surround the project. This water conservation strategy is critical in the southwest desert region.
The project team used additional energy-saving features including solar hot water, LED lighting, and a high-performance building envelope. Adding to the overall sustainability of the project, the team used building materials with high recycled content that were sourced locally, as well as low VOC-emitting interior materials that provide a healthy working environment for employees and visitors alike.
Green Ideas is an industry leader specializing in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Consulting including charrette facilitation, programming assistance, and certification services. Established in 2002, Green Ideas is a full-service sustainability consulting firm offering corporate sustainability planning, educational programs, product evaluation and marketing services, energy management, and world-class green building consulting services. Its clients are building owners, architects, engineers, contractors, utilities, and green product manufacturers as well as corporate entities wishing to establish business advantages through sustainable practices.
