Posted to MediaSyndicate.com (Jan 29, 2009 - 03:42 PM) : Massive food distribution center, cold storage facility designed by Randall-Paulson Architects uses 100 percent renewable energy, is first to be awarded LEED Gold certification

ROSWELL, Ga. - A massive food distribution center in Ridgefield, Wash., designed by Randall-Paulson Architects of Roswell, Ga., and built by ARCO Design/Build Construction of Atlanta, Ga., is the first cold storage facility awarded the coveted LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as an energy-efficient and environmentally safe facility.

LEED---which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design---has established design and construction standards that result in energy efficient and environmentally safe facilities.

Michael B. Randall, co-founder and partner at Randall-Paulson Architects, explains that the 259,729 square foot United Natural Foods facility, which includes 54,000 square feet of refrigerated storage, freezers and a cold storage dock, is powered by 100 percent renewable energy, which reduces CO2 emissions more than four million pounds annually. In addition, Randall-Paulson designed energy efficiency features that result in an energy savings of more than 30 percent over comparably-sized facilities with conventional energy plans.

Randall said Randall-Paulson Architects launched a ‘green’ campaign more than two years ago, providing incentives for its planners, architects, designers and engineers to qualify as USGBC LEED-AP professional accreditation.

“The USGBC’s LEED program will have a dramatic effect on improving the environment,” said Randall. “We wholeheartedly support the LEED program, as do many of our clients.”

Randall-Paulson Architects incorporated a wide range of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features for the facility that include:
•Motion-activated sensors and flow controls that reduce total water use by more than 40 percent;
•Landscaping with indigenous plant species to reduce irrigation needs by more than 50 percent;
•A substantial increase in vegetated open space – 238 percent more than local zoning ordinances required;
•Diversion of more than 95 percent of construction waste away from local landfills;
•Use of building materials and interior finishes that offer low or zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions that can cause health problems;
•Preferred parking spaces designated for Low Emission and Hybrid vehicles;
•Wood products selected from FSC-certified suppliers;
•Building powered by 100 percent renewable energy, reducing CO2 emissions by more than four million pounds annually.

“Collectively, these are tremendous gains for the environment that cost the owner little in the short term, with a long-term payoff that is substantial,” said Randall.

“United Natural Foods deserves all the praise for having the foresight to build this way,” Randall said. “The new facility is a model for future facilities of its kind and we are proud to have participated,” Randall added.

For more information, contact
Caroline K. Slaten, CPSM, Business Development Manager, Randall-Paulson Architects 770-650-7558 x116; ckslaten@randallpaulson.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com

About Randall-Paulson Architects
Headquartered in Roswell, Ga., Randall-Paulson Architects is a 15-year old commercial architectural design firm that specializes in the design of industrial, office, retail, mixed-use, education, religious, childcare, and hospitality facilities.