No construction in New York has yet received this award, as it is generally designed for suburban developments and takes into account points such as bicycle parking and turf roofs.
But the customers of the skyscraper are determined to win the award in 2006 when the building is completed. It is supposed to use environmentally friendly and recyclable building materials, and the huge glazed lobby will be cooled without air conditioning - thanks, again, to the use of special building materials; sensors will control lighting and air conditioning systems in offices, keeping track of the number of people and computers on the premises, etc.
This tower will have to compete with a new World Trade Center, which will also be LEED compliant. But the Hirst tower has an advantage: it belongs entirely to one owner, who can control all the details, while the opinion of the tenants will play an important role in the WTC.
