LEED Projects

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) defines LEED as “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.” The program acknowledges and awards projects that provide energy efficient, earth-friendly methods for construction.

Preserving or Restoring historic buildings is such an integral part of Ruby Architects that we couldn’t help but become involved in the LEED Program. It has become a standard for our projects to exceed the precedents set forth by the USGBC program through specifying green products and methods, while adaptively reusing historic buildings and existing materials.  Adaptive reuse of a space enables owners to forego many of the destructive behaviors associated with new construction by providing the designs to convert an existing structure for use in a new capacity.

The Historic John L. Tushek Building in downtown Lake Village, Arkansas is an example of such reuse. In 1906, the occupying store was a bustling commercial venue, but today the space is vacant. The city’s municipal offices will be consolidated to the redesigned two-story building, making better use of the current town layout while reducing travel and carbon dioxide emissions by residents. The project will outfit the building with the latest energy-efficient HVAC system; Energy-Star rated windows and glazing will be installed to lower heating and cooling needs. EPA WaterSense plumbing fixtures and efficient lighting will also be used to cut down on energy and water waste. The original storefront windows, doors, frames and hardware are to be reused, eliminating the need for additional material production.  The Tushek Building is pursuing LEED Certification, and if achieved, may become the first LEED Certified building in Arkansas that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

When the opportunity to combine a love of preservation and green building-techniques arises, we take it. Ruby Architects, Inc. is excited to participate in LEED programs that allow our talents to manifest in a unique, earth-saving way.