Dive Brief:
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A renovation of the iconic Carnegie Hall in Manhattan has earned the structure — which opened in 1891 — the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.
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As part of an update to 165,000 square feet of the concert hall’s non-performance space, builders automated its HVAC equipment and its fire and security systems, according to real estate publication Commercial Property Executive.
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Low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting and occupancy sensors also helped the building qualify for LEED certification, as did rooftop pavers and plantings.
Dive Insight:
Turning a 125-year-old relic into a modern symbol of the green building movement was admittedly a challenge, according to a high-tech team that ushered the transformation.
Dave Hopping, president of Siemens’ Building Technology Division, said in a statement that original blueprints were unavailable for designers and energy-efficiency consultants to work with.
But recent history has shown that age isn’t a limitation when it comes to improving the energy efficiency and environmental footprint of a well-built structure.
In fact, the Empire State Building, built in 1929, won its LEED Gold certification in 2011, and the Chrysler Building, which is a year older, earned the gold designation in 2012.
