Campbell Soup Co. announced that the Campbell Employee Center has been awarded LEED Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The Campbell Employee Center is an 80,000-square foot addition to Campbell’s World Headquarters in Camden. Designed by Philadelphia-based architects KlingStubbins, the building was opened in June 2010 and is part of a broader effort to help revitalize Camden’s Gateway District.
The Campbell Employee Center achieved LEED certification for its innovative energy, lighting, water and material use, as well as for incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the community.
“Campbell’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council in a prepared statement. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Campbell serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
LEED certification of the Campbell Employee Center was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. The building includes an energy efficient HVAC system along with water conservation and daylight harvesting features. It conserves electricity, efficiently maintains its temperature and provides daylight and outdoor views from 90 percent of the new space. Some of the building’s sustainable features include:
A roof that reflects the sunlight’s heat and outdoor lighting that reduces light pollution;
Design features that help reduce the building’s water usage by 45 percent;
All wood fixtures and products used in the building have earned certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Carpeting, countertops, most furniture and other features are made from recycled materials;
Thirty percent of the building's construction materials were made from recycled content, 25 percent traveled no more than 500 miles and 99 percent of the construction waste was sent to construction recyclers instead of landfills;
An air-quality monitoring system ensures enough outdoor air replenishes the indoor air:
Campbell offers only reusable containers and china in its café to eliminate waste from disposable plates and utensils.
