The new HQ project is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-Platinum registered bank project in Florida and the second bank in the US to seek LEED-Platinum certification.
First Green Bank wanted the headquarters building to be a model project demonstrating environmental sustainability, becoming a living example to educate and influence its bank constituents and the community on green building.
The new headquarters building spanning 12,000 square feet is designed to be at least 44% more energy-efficient than comparable buildings. It is also designed to be extremely water-efficient and will have minimum environmental impact on the local hydrology. The facility expects to see a savings of approximately 54,000 gallons of potable water per year when compared to a similar building of typical construction and has reduced the post development storm water runoff rate to be below predevelopment.
A unique feature incorporated into the design of the building is the use of an interior living wall system that is spread over an area of approximately 320 square feet. This vegetated wall will be placed directly in front of the return air for the mechanical unit providing air for the foyer. This will allow the mechanical system to distribute the clean oxygenated air throughout the building along with taking the humidity produced by the plants out of the air.
According to First Green Bank, the most significant environmental conservation measure, that is inexpensive and realistic for all buildings in Florida, is the collection of the HVAC condensate water. According to an estimate done by the bank, over 80,000 gallons of clean water can be produced per year from the condensate alone. The bank will store the condensate water in a below grade cistern and use it to flush all the toilets in the building as well as use it for all irrigation requirements for the green roof and interior plants. Building codes prevent the use of condensate water for use in sinks and showers, and therefore a 100% reduction is not possible.
FCB will work with Dr. Bodie Pennisi of the University Of Georgia to help quantify the VOC and CO2 reductions associated with the living wall as well as the other planters inside the building envelope. The building will have a total of 420 interior plants. The project expects to receive credit for all 15 of the possible Indoor Environmental Quality credits.
Natural resource consultants Environmental Dynamics (EDI) serve as the sustainability consultant, Viridian USA as the commissioning agent and Florida-based Schmid Construction serve as the general contractor.
First Green Bank, which opened in February 2009, was organised by experienced banking executives and business leaders in central Florida. Green Bank is the first bank of its kind to promote positive environmental and social responsibility while operating as a traditional community bank.
