NRDC's new Southern California home will be one of the first buildings in the United States to receive a LEED™ Version 2 Platinum green building rating from the U.S. Green Building Council - the highest possible level of sustainable design. It is a showcase of green construction and maintenance, demonstrating NRDC's philosophy in action.
NRDC's goal in renovating its 15,000-sq-ft Santa Monica space was to design a building that reclaims water and generates electricity from sunlight, is built from recycled or recyclable materials, and makes the most of natural light and sea breeze to minimize the need for artificial lighting and cooling. And, in contrast to opening up new land, the building reuses already urbanized property in a part of the city that encourages walking and use of public transit.