LEED Platinum Project Certifies Highest-Quality Healing Environment for Wounded Warriors

Representatives from the Wounded Warrior Barracks design-build project team presented the commanding officer of Wounded Warrior Battalion West with the LEED Platinum plaque during a special ceremony at the facility on April 21, 2011. In recognition of the achievement, Captain Michael Williamson with Marine Corps Installations West stated, "My congratulations to the entire team for being the first LEED Platinum facility for the entire Department of the Navy."

LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design and construction of high-performance green buildings. According to Nate Kredich, vice president of residential market development for the USGBC, "One of the most remarkable features about this project was the way the LEED rating system was utilized. The project team prioritized the features of greatest importance to the building's future tenants such as indoor air quality and natural daylighting. The end result is a building that is more healthy, comfortable and peaceful - all of which can help these Marines and sailors rehabilitate and heal. The project team put people at the center of its decisions, which is precisely the way LEED was intended to be used."

The Wounded Warrior Barracks received near-perfect scores for interiors that used recycled and environmentally safe materials and energy-saving equipment for bedrooms, hallways, showers and recreational areas. The barracks include 100 semi-private suites for men and women of all ranks and currently has more than 160 residents.

Barnhart Balfour Beatty president Eric Stenman added, "Delivering this project was so important to us, not only because of our partnership with the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps, but because of its potential to become a national model for wounded warrior care. Our team could not be more proud to serve and be a part of giving back to the brave men and women of our armed forces and we sincerely hope this project serves to accelerate the use of sustainable building in military facilities worldwide."

The project was designed by Cass, Sowatsky, Chapman & Associates and managed under the direction of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW). Wounded Warrior Battalion West provides assistance to wounded, injured and ill Marines and sailors and their family members throughout the phases of their recovery. More information is available at www.bnwest.woundedwarriorregiment.org.

About Balfour Beatty Construction A leader in the U.S. commercial construction industry, Balfour Beatty Construction provides general contracting, at-risk construction management, and design-build services through 2,100 professionals nationwide. For the past two years, the company has been cited as a Top 10 Green Builder by Engineering-News Record and as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For® by FORTUNE magazine. The company is part of  London-based Balfour Beatty plc, a global leader in professional services, construction services, support services, and infrastructure investment, with more than $18 billion in annual revenues. To learn more about the company and its subsidiaries--Barnhart Balfour Beatty, Charter Builders, and SpawMaxwell--visit www.balfourbeattyus.com.

For Balfour Beatty Construction Media Inquiries: Connie Oliver, p: 214-451-1066 Vice President, Corporate Communications Dallas, Texas e: [email protected] or Project Inquiries: Amy Savlov, p: 858-385-8200 Public Relations Manager San Diego, CA e: [email protected]

Source: Balfour Beatty Construction

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