CONCRETEWORKS is located within two miles of downtown Norman, there's a bus stop within 100 yd. of the building and CONCRETEWORKS offers employees bicycle parking and storage along with changing rooms and showers. In addition, Schwartz made sure to excavate only the space needed for the current building project and leave open space equal to that of the building's footprint. Choices such as these will earn Schwartz points toward LEED certification.

Another section of the LEED checklist is Water Efficiency. Schwartz hopes to earn points in that category for planting drought-resistant landscaping and setting up a system for capturing rainwater for irrigation.

Energy & Atmosphere is the category in which a building can earn the highest number of LEED points. Schwartz chose energy systems in his building that would garner him points, including radiant heat floors, CFC-free air conditioning and heat pumps. The building is also set up for wind power. "Once I switch over to wind power, my building probably won't use any utilities except for water," he says.

Under the Materials and Resources category, Schwartz hopes to garner points for using local materials, including concrete and the locally manufactured red iron steel which makes up the exterior of the building. In addition, recycling earns points in this category. "Nothing went to a landfill, everything was recycled off the project - all steel, roofing, plastics and even insulation was able the be recycled," Schwartz says. "When we're in this business we see so much construction material being thrown away. Being able to recycle is something that's really important to me."

Schwartz took advantage of several opportunities for points in the Indoor Environmental Quality category, including the utilization of day-lighting. Carbon dioxide monitoring, use of certified lumber, choosing environmentally friendlier versions of gypsum board and drywall, and utilizing low-emitting sealants, adhesives, paints, coatings and so on also helps gain points.