FedExFamilyHouse Awarded LEED® Building Certification

FedExFamilyHouse has been awarded LEED® Gold certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. FedExFamilyHouse, 33,850 square feet, is one of the country’s first pediatric residences to be awarded LEED certification.

Through achieving LEED Gold certification and the required points in the Energy, Atmosphere and Water Efficiency categories, FedExFamilyHouse qualified to receive a $15,000 award from the Memphis Regional Chapter of the USGBC. The award was funded by a 2008 grant from Memphis Light, Gas and Water to encourage and recognize businesses and organizations that achieve LEED Certification with extra emphasis on energy and water measures. By showcasing leading facilities, the grant creates awareness and rewards organizations that exhibit commitment to energy efficiency, indoor air quality and the environment through LEED’s green building practices.

FedExFamilyHouse received recognition for its sustainable building process and features, including:

  • Significant reductions in energy use (23 percent) and water use (44 percent)
  • Access to various forms of public transportation
  • Recycling stations in common areas 
  • 44 percent water use reduction
  • 24 percent energy use reduction
  • 76 percent of construction waste was recycled, therefore diverted from landfills
  • 32 percent of materials used were manufactured regionally, within 500 miles
  • Views to the outdoors are provided for 98 percent of all regularly occupied spaces
  • 70 percent of the building’s electricity comes from renewable sources
  • Use of low-emitting materials (adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and flooring systems)
  • Reused Brownfield site as part of Legends Park development
  • Reduced heat island effect through site landscaping and shading and limiting asphalt
  • 26 percent of the material content is recycled
  • 5.3 percent of materials used were made of rapidly renewable materials
  • Building occupants are allowed to control light levels and temperature to create a more comfortable indoor environment

The award will be presented to representatives from Le Bonheur Children’s and FedExFamilyHouse by MLGW and USGBC Memphis Regional Chapter:

Thursday, June 28
6 – 8 p.m.
FedExFamilyHouse
918 Poplar Ave.

“During the design phase and now in our operations, sustainability has always been a focus at FedExFamilyHouse,” said Le Bonheur Vice President of Facilities Dave Rosenbaum. “We want to thank USGBC and MLGW for their recognition of sustainable projects in Memphis. This award will be used to continue our missing of providing a respite for families of children being cared for at Le Bonheur.”

FedExFamilyHouse’s project team included:

Architect: Looney Ricks Kiss
Sustainability Consultant: Looney Ricks Kiss
Structural Engineer: Structural Design Group
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
(MEP) Engineer: OGCB Inc.
Commissioning Agent: OGCB Inc.
Contractor: Montgomery Martin
Civil Engineer: Tetra Tech
Landscape Architect: Kersey Wike & Associates

Previous recipients of the USGBC/MLGW award are: iBank, Germantown, 2009; Big River Engineering and Manufacturing, Memphis, 2010; Court Square Annex, Memphis, 2011; and Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown, 2011. The FedExFamilyHouse award completes the original $75,000 grant.

About USGBC Memphis Regional Chapter
Established in 2005, the Memphis Regional Chapter of the USGBC is a nonprofit 501c3 membership-based organization that promotes green building in Memphis and its surrounding areas through advocacy and education. Originally founded by a few dedicated individuals, we have grown to become a regional catalyst for the acceptance and adoption of green building practices, technologies, ideas, and standards. Membership in the Memphis USGBC chapter is open to anyone who has a passion for green building and sustainable living. To learn more, visit umrc.memberclicks.net, like us on Facebook, facebook.com/USGBCMemphis, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usgbcmemphis.

About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries. By using less energy, 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 larger community.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.

For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

About FedExFamilyHouse
FedExFamilyHouse is a home-away-from-home for families of children receiving treatment at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Consisting of 24 suites and a variety of comfortable common areas, FedExFamilyHouse is provided at no cost to families. It is Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Gold certified. For more information, visit www.fedexfamilyhouse.org, like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/fedexfamilyhouse or call (901) 347-6462.