When the opportunity arose to move our DC Office to the Mount Vernon Triangle area of Washington we took the opportunity to incorporate sustainable design principles into the project.  For Reno & Cavanaugh, sustainability is not a new initiative but an extension of the values to which our firm and staff already subscribe.

DC’s Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood was selected for a number of reasons.  As a firm that has been committed to community development for over three decades, we are excited by the opportunity to be a part of a neighborhood that is experiencing such dynamic revitalization.  The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District was created in 2004 and has seen the area flourish over recent years.  Our location on Massachusetts Avenue is both Metro and bus accessible and within walking distance of a number of community amenities which further reduces our impact on the environment.

Reno & Cavanaugh collaborated with Fox Architects to construct the DC office, which was awarded LEED-Silver for Commercial Interiors.  The design incorporates elements of sustainability such as the use of natural light, recycled materials, and environmentally-friendly fixtures and finishes. 

The combination of sustainable design and relocating to this rapidly developing part of the city has allowed Reno & Cavanaugh to create an office space that reflects both our lively, non-traditional work style and the values of our firm and our employees.

 

Reception	Conference
Kitchen	Office

LEED Credit Highlights

Below are some of the steps Reno & Cavanaugh took to promote sustainability through the design of our office in pursuit of a LEED Silver Certification for Commercial Interiors:

(1) Reno & Cavanaugh made the commitment early to reduce their impact on the environment by selecting a location that was both metro and bus accessible and is within walking distance of nearby community amenities.	(5) By allowing employees to control their own workstation and office lighting, Reno & Cavanaugh met the optimized performance lighting control credit.
(2) By utilizing water-saving aerators in sink faucets, the space uses at least 20% less water than building stan­dard codes.	(6) Through a diligent construction management process, more than 50% of the construction waste was divert­ed from landfill.
(3) 30% of the furniture and furnishings at Reno & Cavanaugh were reused. The new workstations and office furniture that were selected are Green Guard certified. And 15% of the new furniture purchased was manufac­tured less than 500 miles from the Reno & Cavanaugh office.	(7) The carpet, paints, adhesives, sealants, and building materials are made of low-emitting materials and have a high recycled content. Additionally, 37% of the materials in Reno & Cavanaugh’s offices were sourced re­gionally (within 500 miles).
(4) Controllability of Systems in temperature allows Reno & Cavanaugh to conserve energy. With one control unit for every two offices, employees are able to moderate their surroundings to best suit their comfort thus conserving energy.	(8) Perimeter and internal offices utilize glass partitions and sidelights to increase the employee’s access to day­light and views.

About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation. For more information, please visit USGBC’s website by clicking the following link.

Please click here for detailed information on the LEED Certification system for commercial interiors.

About Fox Architects

FOX Architects is a unique design firm specializing in award-winning architecture, interior design, graphic design, multimedia design, and signage. Their inclusive design approach results in cost-effective solutions that maximize their clients’ desire to secure dramatic, innovative, results while maintaining functionality. Their portfolio highlights projects that span market sectors such as corporate headquarters, government/contractors, education, and non-profit. For more information, please visit their website at www.fox-architects.com.