Abundance Blog
News and ideas from Paladino's team of industry leaders.
LEED ND? WELL? LCC? Choose the right master plan certification standard
Creating a high-quality master plan that is back-checked through certification is a powerful way to set master plan aspirations and set the development up for long-term success. Certification brings several advantages to a master plan, not the least of which…
LEED v4.1 O+M: LEED gets more inclusive and performance focused with Arc
LEED v4.1 is intended to extend LEED certification to more types of projects and to increase the emphasis on building performance. That’s why LEED v4.1, the latest version of LEED, makes greater use of the Arc platform, and focuses heavily…
LEED v4.1 — a game changer or business as usual?
By Kim Pexton
Feeling like you’re just settling in to LEED v4? It’s hard to believe that It’s been four years since the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released LEED v4, and now, LEED v4.1, announced last November at Greenbuild, will be released…
LEED Fellows have 5 things in common with buildings
By Kim Pexton
The truth about LEED Fellowship is that those of us who have attained this honor have more in common than our LEED accreditation and passion for sustainability in the built environment. The accomplishments that led to recognition in our diverse…
COOKFOX ARCHITECTS takes an historic leap forward for an old building thanks to 80 architects designing the workplace of the future
What happens when you combine a leading sustainably-minded architecture firm with an historic building and Paladino’s expertise in sustainability and wellness? You get the new LEED Platinum and WELL Gold certified COOKFOX headquarters on the 17th floor of 250 West…
Applying for LEED Fellow? Here’s what one member of the review committee is looking for.
By Kim Pexton
“Congratulations, you're now a FLEED!” This is what my good friend in the design world exclaimed upon learning of my elevation to the 2014 class of LEED Fellows. She made me laugh, and I must admit, “FLEED” rolls off the…
Green funding: are you leaving money on the table?
By Pia Engel
Does your green building certification project qualify for a low-interest rate loan from government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)? Knowing the answer to that question might mean that…
Four LEED EBOM opportunities that most people miss
What creates momentum and how do we line up our next steps? For some, it might be the pursuit of LEED EBOM. The US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system has a specific reference guide and rating for Existing Buildings.…
Two Liberty Center goes for the Gold—and wins
Two Liberty Center, an Arlington, Virginia, mixed-use development with office space, residences, and retail, has been committed to sustainability since its opening in 2007. The property has achieved ENERGY STAR certification; was awarded the 2010 Award for Excellence by the…
How Abundance Thinking unlocks the potential in existing buildings
The sustainability stories that get the most coverage and attention tend to come from new construction and the innovative material uses or strategies that come with it. It’s easy to imagine what has never been done before when you are…