U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently released their annual Top 10 States for LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. After a three year hiatus, Texas placed 7th overall. Specifically mentioned was The Treehouse Memorial City designed by Studio RED Architects.
Why LEED?
The 2015 USGBC Green Building Economic Impact Study found green construction will generate $190.3 billion in labor earnings and make up more than 3.3 million U.S. jobs, over one-third of the entire U.S. construction sector.
With four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum, LEED projects and spaces use less energy and water resources, are more cost effective, reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and promote a healthier environment.
A Treehouse for Memorial City
Completed in July 2014, The Treehouse was awarded LEED Platinum certification. The two-story, 14,700-square-foot structure includes a geothermal cooling and heating system, harvests daylight and includes both solar photovoltaics and a wind turbine for renewable energy generation.
While Machiche wood from South Africa is featured on the exterior, interior flooring is made of reclaimed wood from the Old Cotton Concentration Company’s warehouses in Galveston, Texas. With a living garden on the roof, The Treehouse offers a novel experience for both employees and visitors. The building provides a seamless transition from outdoors to indoors with columns wrapped in custom-made-tree-like woodwork and tree trunk conference tables in rooms referred to as “nests” that face a wrap-around balcony.
An old-fashioned swinging bridge connects The Treehouse to MetroNational’s building headquarters, encouraging collaboration and creating a common space between the two properties.
The Treehouse is not just ecologically responsible, it is also technologically advanced with on-demand wireless connectivity, wireless screen sharing, and interactive whiteboards. Weather, traffic, and energy-saving metrics are continuously displayed on monitors in the lobby as visitors enter.
Together Studio RED Architects and MetroNational created an innovative, unique space that meets advanced environmental standards. The Treehouse provides the perfect venue for work or play and solidifies MetroNational’s prominence in the booming Memorial City area.
