API Project Awarded LEED Silver

Honolulu, HI – www.ArchitectsPacificInc.com – Architects Pacific, Inc. (API), a Hawaii-owned and operated architectural firm, has earned Hawaii’s first LEED Silver commercial interior rating for its environmental design of the Honolulu International Airport’s VIP Lounge. LEED, or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System, has awarded API the “LEED Silver Rating,” certifying that API used key environmental metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, use of recycled or refurbished materials, and good overall stewardship of resources.

Honolulu International Airport’s Visitor Information Program (“VIP”) Lounge is a key gateway for high-level dignitaries departing from Hawaii. This will serve as the waiting lounge prior to their departures. For security purposes, the area is off-limits to the general public. The VIP Lounge is currently under construction.
John Adversalo, Principal Architect for API, said, “API is proud to be part of Hawaii’s green building movement. The LEED Silver Rating reflects our long-term commitment to Hawaii’s sustainable community. This demonstrates that important projects don’t have to rely on newly produced furniture or materials. They can be beautifully designed to feature recycled and reused materials that not only save on project costs, but yield environmental benefits well into the future.”

LEED, or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System, was created by the United States Green Building Council in 2000 to encourage and facilitate the development of sustainable buildings. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system and provides third-party verification that a commercial or residential building The Silver Rating reflects API’s certification scores in several environmental categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Atmosphere, Materials, Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design Process.

“The Honolulu International Airport Lounge Renovation is a project that involves several sustainable components,” said Nicole Kimoto, Project Designer and LEED Accredited Professional. “We reduced water use by 40% and called for 10% of the total building material costs to be constituted of post-consumer recycled content. Other notable features include low-emitting materials; easily controlled lighting, temperature, and ventilation; and use of agri-fiber products. Nearly 70% of the furniture will be refurbished.”

“API’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and API serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”