by Tracy Dillon
Proving that green can be golden, this prototype exceeds its sustainability goal while achieving goals for the brand aesthetic, the customer experience, and the budget.
“Our intent was to demonstrate that green stores could be built without significantly increasing the cost of the project or impacting the customer experience or look and feel of the Verizon Wireless brand,” says Kenneth Gruskin, principal and founder of Gruskin Group. “It’s not about making a green store, but designing and building a store that meets all of Verizon’s goals for customer benefits that is green.”
Gruskin Group developed the store design, adapting the prototype to existing retail tenant space to create a model for green commercial interiors for the retailer. The design firm worked with Verizon Wireless’s internal corporate design team, green task force, and a sustainability consultant. The benchmarking goal for this store, the retailer’s first to even seek LEED certification for commercial interiors, was a Silver rating. The project surpassed that, earning LEED Gold certification.
Evaluating materials
The team focused on processes—from energy management systems to cleaning products—and scrutinized materials. “We evaluated every material that went into the prototype, lighting design, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing fixtures, construction process, as well as the sourcing of all building materials, with the goal of developing a dynamic retail environment that reduces its impact on the environment,” says Gruskin.
Leggett & Platt Store Fixtures provided the millwork and fixtures for the retail portion of the store, including wall units with built-in lighting, floor fixtures, customer service area, demonstration desks, and floor fixtures. Only a handful of materials and finishes specified for the earlier prototype design had to be changed, such as a switch to low-VOC paints and the replacement of some walk-off mats.
Managing energy use
Energy management and lighting were critical. “We had to squeak out every lumen and watt that we could,” Gruskin says. Ambient lighting was reduced, while focus lighting was retained. The team added daylighting, used low-wattage infrared bulbs, and installed occupancy detectors in the back rooms to turn off lights when they weren’t needed.
Ultimately, the lighting plan required a few tweaks. Thinning out the lighting had resulted in a few areas that were too dark. And although daylighting added to the ambient level of the space during the day, the store required additional lighting at night. “Lighting makes or breaks a store in terms of the customer experience,” Gruskin notes.
Maintaining momentum
Training for the contractor, store staff, and suppliers including cleaners who maintain the store, helps ensure the sustainable achievements are maintained.
The store is not only the first LEED-certified retail store in Casper, but also one of only six LEED-certified projects in Wyoming, according to Gruskin. While Verizon’s goal is to reach Silver certification, both the Casper store and a second store in Avondale, Ariz., have achieved LEED Gold. A third, in Santa Fe, is expected to achieve Gold certification. Verizon plans to roll out more green stores nationally, with the goal of reaching LEED Silver for all. |
