First-of-its-kind Starbucks built in just six days

A new Starbucks store is set to open in Abbotsford, B.C., that was assembled in six days with near-zero construction waste. The store was designed to reduce the energy needs for heating and cooling compared to standard construction builds.

Nexii Building Solutions, a Vancouver-based green building company, designed, manufactured, and constructed the location, which includes in-store and drive-thru options. The panels for the store’s roof and walls were designed and manufactured offsite and then assembled on-site. Nexii panels create a thermally efficient, airtight envelope, meaning the Starbucks building will require less energy to heat and cool, greatly improving energy efficiency over its building lifecycle, and lowering operating costs.

The project is meant to represent a step forward in Starbucks’ aspirations to operate more efficient stores.

Starbucks sustainable building graphic

Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, LEED® AP BD+C, has accepted a two-year consulting position with the American Institute of Architects in Washington, DC. Her new position, which begins March 1, will focus on increasing the AIA's impact on sustainability across the profession. The St. Louis-based architect will continue consulting at HOK.

This hospital at Virginia's Fort Belvoir recently achieved LEED Gold.

| Feb 22, 2013

Defense department report: Green design saves taxpayers money

An independent report on energy efficiency and sustainability standards used by the Pentagon for military construction affirms the value of LEED-certified high performing buildings to America’s military and U.S. taxpayers.

| Jan 25, 2013

Caution on UCLA study of worker productivity at 'green companies'

A new report from researchers at UCLA and France's University Paris–Dauphine claims that workers at environmentally conscious companies are more productive than their counterparts at nongreen companies.