What Does LEEDS CS Platinum Certification Mean?

Since one of the projects that The Conco Companies have been busy providing a range of concrete services for is the first San Francisco building to be pre-certified LEED Platinum, we will explain some of the criteria.  Although the Salesforce Tower is not scheduled for completion until sometime in early 2017, it has already been awarded LEED’s CS Platinum.  

LEED certifications are awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and it is an acronym for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.  The USGBC defines it as a “green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.”  Under their rating system there are four certification levels for new construction, certified, silver, and gold with platinum as the highest rating.  The categories used to judge a building encompass the following: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.  

The USGBC explains that Core and Shell (CS) is the green building system used to certify the sustainable design and construction of speculative developments and core and shell buildings.  It covers the construction of the base building elements, such as the structure, envelope along with the building-level systems that include things like central HVAC, etc. 

The Salesforce Tower’s designation for the pre-certification LEED Core & Shell (CS) Platinum springs from the fact that the skyscraper will in some cases exceed the levels of sustainability that have been established under the most up-to-date, stringent building codes.  The Tower is an exceptional example of sustainable design, construction and financial feasibility. Highlights of the new skyscraper will include an under-floor air distribution system, which will greatly reduce the HVAC and fan horsepower energy that is required.  Another innovative feature is the comprehensive water recycling system in the tower that will help to reduce water consumption 30% below code inside the building. 

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built our reputation with superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience.  With four regional offices, we serve California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado.  

Source: usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/Docs3355.pdf