L.L. Bean goes L.L. Green

For over 90 years, Outdoor Lifestyle retailer L.L. Bean has offered apparel and accessories marketed toward those with an appreciation for nature. In an effort to maintain their relationship with their eco-savvy clientele, they have opted to transform their retail spaces into educational environments by sharing their initiatives in creating a sustainable atmosphere in addition to their green business structure. The first store to undergo this transformation was their Mansfield, Massachusetts location with a design by Bergmyer Associates of Boston. This 30,000 square-foot space is part of USGBC’s LEED for Retail-CI pilot program, which today is still going through many revisions because of the unique needs of retail spaces. A rising concern with renovations, regardless of whether or not sustainable materials are being utilized, is the amount of waste produced by demolition of old interiors. L.L. Bean saw to it that as much of their renovation bi-products were recycled as possible. The end result: only about 25% of their debris ended up in landfills. Their commitment to preserve the outdoors inspired them to take advantage of using reclaimed wood for fixtures and wall panels to maintain a natural feel throughout the store.

From the ceiling to the floor, this space contains technologically advanced and sustainable elements. Light sensitive fixtures work with motion and daylight so that the energy is only utilized when an area is occupied. Additionally, flooring is made of recycled content and rubber. Low VOC adhesives were used throughout the space. Though L.L. Bean has 6 registered LEED retail stores, this is their first to earn a Silver award. 

International Architect Hits Big with Harvard’s New Student Housing.

Architect Kyu Sung Woo has completed what is considered a great example of what environmentally considered design can do for residential space. His new student housing center for Harvard in Cambridge, MA is not only drop dead gorgeous, it’s designed to achieve a high level of LEED certification. The building is packed with renewable bamboo flooring, considered wall paneling, low VOC finishes, and regionally sourced siding with recycled content. His 115,000 sq ft project is a part of Harvard’s ongoing effort to house 50 percent of their undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Kyu Sung Woo is a world renown architect. He has made great achievements, moving towards sustainability and evolutions in architecture. The Ho-Am Prize for the arts was awarded to him recently for $200,000. The award is commonly referred to as Korea’s Nobel Prize and has a 17 year history. Kyu Sung Woo represents the first ever architect who has received this sought-after award.

Below are links to two source articles which talk in detail about Kyu Sung Woo and his career.

worldarchitecturenews.com
archrecord.com