Cherry Hill Project

At Wu & Associates, our mission is to improve the built environment through excellence in sustainability, safety, and customer satisfaction, with a cultural emphasis on diversity and knowledge.

We aim to be a global leader delivering an impactful service in specialty markets through fostering our in-house talents and cultivating premier partnerships.

In 2008, our consciousness for green building came to life with our first staff members achieving the LEED Accredited Professional designation. Shortly thereafter, we were involved in design and construction projects requiring LEED standards.

Simultaneously, our own office renovations followed a sustainable route. Beginning with some minor upgrades, each improvement eventually transformed our headquarters into an environmentally conscious showcase.

In 2012, we achieved LEED-EBOM Gold certification. In 2014, we recertified and achieved the LEED-EBOM Platinum designation, the first in the entire State of New Jersey.

2008

2009

2010

2011 2012

2013 2014

Low-flow fixturesOccupancy sensors

December 17, 2009Register project for LEED EB:OM v2009 Recycled content floors

Self-dimming lightsPhotovoltaic system

High efficiency vehicles

August 10, 2012LEED Gold certification

February 21, 2013Register project for LEED EB:OM v2009 February 6. 2014

LEED Platinum certification

Rainwater captureNative species plantings

Category GoldAugust 10, 2012

PlatinumFebruary 6,2014

Sustainable Sites 11 of 26 21 of 26

Water Efficiency 11 of 14 12 of 14

Energy & Atmosphere 28 of 35 26 of 35

Materials & Resources 10 of 10 8 of 10

Indoor Environmental Quality 9 of 15 8 of 15

Innovation in Operations 6 of 6 6 of 6

Regional Priority Credits 3 of 4 4 of 4

Total Score 78 of 110 85 of 110

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance

LEED Scorecard

Certification levels: Certified 40 to 49, Silver 50 to 59, Gold 60 to 79, Platinum 80 to 110

Sustainable Sites [ 21 of 26 pts ]

ALTERNATIVE COMMUTING TRANSPORTATIONSSc4: 13 pts (12 pts + 1 rp)

Our staff reduced conventional commuting trips by 58%. This culture of alternative commuting is fostered through:

A high efficiency company fleet, including hybrid-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

A high employee utilization rate of hybrid-electric and other fuel efficient vehicles

Electric vehicle charging station

Designated high efficiency vehicle parking

Carpooling to reduce single-occupant trips

Sustainable Sites [ 21 of 26 pts ]

STORMWATER QUANTITY CONTROLSSc6: 2 pts (1 pt + 1 rp)

Our site provides adequate infiltration and mitigation of stormwater runoff for a 24-hour storm event. This high performance is supported by:

A high proportion of permeable area vs. hardscape

The amount of vegetated turf area, highlighted by native and adaptive plant species

Management of roof runoff via rainwater capture barrels

Additional perks

Our native plantings preserve resources by significantly reducing the need for fertilization, mowing, and watering

Water Efficiency [ 12 of 14 pts ]

WATER PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTWEc1: 2 pts

Metering allows us to measure potable water usage in order to manage the expenditure of this resource. Our building is metered in the following ways:

Whole building metering

Submetering for landscape irrigation

ADDITIONAL INDOOR PLUMBING FIXTURE AND FITTING EFFICIENCYWEc2: 6 pts (5 pts + 1rp) | IOc1: 1 pt

Our indoor water performance achieves a reduction in water use by 39% over the established baseline. This exemplary performance is supported by:

Low-flow faucets with 0.5 gpm aerators

Dual-flush toilets with 1.6 gpf / 1.1 gpf

WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPINGWEc3: 5 pts

We have eliminated our need for potable water usage for landscape irrigation. Our high performance is achieved through:

Our rainwater capture system consisting of three1,550 gallon barrels which capture runoff from office and warehouse roofing

A connection between rainwater capture system and in-ground irrigation sprinklers to service landscaped areas

Native and adaptive species plantings throughout the majority of our landscape to eliminate the need for watering

Additional perks

Our rainwater capture system saves 125,000 gallons of potable water we would otherwise expend to irrigate our landscaped areas

Water Efficiency [ 12 of 14 pts ]

OPTIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCEEAc1: 13 pts

Our building energy performance was optimized to 35% above the national benchmark of buildings with similar size and usage, supported by:

An ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit to analyze our energy use and potential areas for saving

Two HVAC roof top units installed in 2008 featuring a SEER 14 rating

Programmed set-points for all heating and air-conditioned zones

Lighting featuring hands-free switching and auto-dimming controls to save energy and enhance user experience

On-site 35.7 kW photovoltaic system as renewable energy source

Energy and Atmosphere [ 26 of 35 pts ]

EXISTING BUILDING COMMISSIONINGEAc2.1 – EA 2.3: 6 pts

Our building commissioning activities allow us to maintain our energy efficiency through ensuring that our systems are functioning optimally.

Investigation and Analysis – An ASHRAE Level II Audit was performed to evaluate our building energy systems and identify potential energy efficiency improvements

Implementation – Operational improvements implemented include upgrades to the lighting controls and programmable thermostats

Ongoing Commissioning – Commissioning of lighting, HVAC, and domestic hot water systems

Energy and Atmosphere [ 26 of 35 pts ]

ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGYEAc4: 7 pts (6 pts + 1rp) | IOc1: 1 pt

Our site features an on-site renewable energy system with the following features:

A photovoltaic system designed to generate 35.7 kW of electricity per year, which offsets our projected annual electrical consumption

117 panel array with 6 inverters

Solar monitor to broadcast production data

Calculation of first costs

Payback elements

Energy and Atmosphere [ 26 of 35 pts ]

- $225,945 Gross capital outlay

$67,784 30% federal tax credit

$79,081 Depreciation

-$79,080 Net capital outlay

Utility bill Save $6,500 annually at $0.18 per kW

SRECs Volatile range from $70 to $655 per kW

SUSTAINABLE PURCHASINGMRc1 – MRc5: 5 pts | IOc1: 1 pt

Our purchasing policies reflect a commitment to environmentally preferable purchasing criteria:

Ongoing Consumables – office supplies involving content that is post- and pre-consumer recycled, rapidly renewable, locally harvested, or FSC certified

Durable Goods, Electric-Powered – computer and printing equipment which are Energy Star certified

Durable Goods, Furniture – tables and shelving made from locally salvaged bowling alley floors

Reduced Mercury in Lamps – mercury-free LED lamps

Food – Fair Trade coffee supplies

Materials and Resources [ 8 of 10 pts ]

OCCUPANT COMFORTIEQc2.1 – IEQc2.4: 3 pts

Our commitment to enhancing the user’s experience is supported through the following measures of environmental quality:

Occupant Survey – Eliciting feedback on temperature, acoustics, air quality, lighting, and cleanliness in order to remedy areas of discomfort

Controllability of Systems, Lighting – Providing individual lighting controls to all private workstations and multi-occupant spaces

Daylight and Views – Daylighting of 91% of regularly occupied areas

Indoor Environmental Quality [ 8 of 15 pts ]

GREEN CLEANINGIEQc3.1 – IEQc3.6: 5 pts

Our commitment to environmentally preferred practices for cleaning is supported by the following:

High-Performance Cleaning – use of sustainable cleaning materials and equipment

Custodial Effectiveness Assessment – audit workspaces and public areas for cleanliness

Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials –purchase of soaps without antimicrobial agents, recycled content trash bags

Sustainable Equipment – use of CRI Green Label vacuum cleaner operating at <70 dBA

Indoor Integrated Pest Management – use of environmentally preferred practices to manage flying citronella ants

Indoor Environmental Quality [ 8 of 15 pts ]

EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCEIOc1.1 – IOc1.3: 3 pts

We surpassed expectations for the following credits:

WEc2ADDITIONAL INDOOR PLUMBING FIXTURE AND FITTING EFFICIENCYFeaturing low-flow plumbing fixtures

EAc4 ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGYFeaturing our photovoltaic system

MRc2.1 SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING, DURABLE GOODS –ELECTRIC POWEREDFeaturing Energy Star certified electronic equipment

Innovation in Operations [ 6 of 6 pts ]

INNOVATION IN OPERATIONSIOc1.4: 1 pt

We encourage active comprehension and a call to action through an educational experience designed to reinforce sustainable values for both our occupants and visitors.

Visual Media – a touch-screen display in our company foyer provides content on how we employ sustainable practices to meet LEED sustainable standards

Solar Production Monitoring – real-time alternative energy production feedback is provided to promote the linkage between technology and performance

Instructional Signage – educates users on the what, how, and why on our various green features, including dual-flush toilets, motion-sensor lighting, photovoltaics, eco-friendly materials, and sustainable practices

Innovation in Operations [ 6 of 6 pts ]

On February 6, 2014, we received our LEED-EBOM Platinum certification.

LEED-EBOM Platinum Certification

Once we outgrew the Cherry Hill facility, we decided to continue our sustainable journey at a small office complex in Mount Laurel.

Our Journey Continues

Emphasis on Continual Self-Improvement

Training spaces for encouraging constant improvement with educational content.

Recycling Lemons into Lemonade

Reuse of materials, including converting concrete slab pieces demolished from an unforeseen drainage issue into a visually descriptive knee wall feature.

On February 6, 2014

Each day forward, w a world that is enviro

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Materials

Sustainable features:- VRF HVAC system- LED lighting- Heavily insulated

roofing- Reuse of cabinetry- Recycled paper

countertops- Low flow plumbing- Bamboo flooring- Low VOC paints

This project is currently pending LEED-NC Certification.

Serving as a Showcase

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey shore.

A Visit from Mother Nature

A Vision to Rebuild

Use of insulated concrete forms (ICFs) for ground floor construction to protect against future floods and storm damage.

Building for Survival

Use of structurally insulated panels (SIPs) for high performance envelope.

Finding Peace with Nature

Emphasis on natural daylight and views to enhance user experience.

In 2015, we were awarded our LEED-H Platinum certification.

LEED-H Platinum Certification

Clean Drinking WaterWorld Health Organization (as published June 14, 2019)

- In 2017, 71% of the global population (5.3 billion people) used a safely managed drinking-water service – that is, one located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination.

- 90% of the global population (6.8 billion people) used at least a basic service. A basic service is an improved drinking-water source within a round trip of 30 minutes to collect water.

- 785 million people lack even a basic drinking-water service, including 144 million people who are dependent on surface water.

- By 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas.

Our Journey ContinuesEarth Day Network (as published March 29, 2018)

Facts about plastic waste:

1. Roughly half of annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product.

2. Humans buy about 1 million plastic bottles per minute in total.

3. Americans purchase 50 billion water bottles per year, averaging about 13 bottles per

month for every person in the U.S.

4. About 4 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. Americans throw away 100

billion plastic bags annually, about 307 bags per person.

5. Half a million straws are used in the world every day.

6. 500 billion disposable cups are consumed every year.

7. Single-use plastic waste equates to pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean

every minute.

Pesticides and Environmental Contamination

American Academy of Pediatrics (as published December 2012)

Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure

to pesticides and

- Pediatric cancers

- Decreased cognitive function

- Behavioral problems

Why does building a sustainable world matter?

Because it matters to our future generations.

Our Journey Continues