CERTIFIED GREEN
The new Meals On Wheels of Tampa facility is 9,600 square feet with administrative office space and a generously sized commercial kitchen that produces meals to serve individuals in our community as well as other nonprofit organizations throughout Tampa. The new kitchen space also allows the opportunity to create new programs and menus that will enhance current services. Meals On Wheels of Tampa is not only committed to improving community health, but also to improving environmental health through the achievement of LEED certification on their new headquarters.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is the most widely used green building standard in the world. LEED was created by the US Green Building Council in 1993 and has since transformed the green building industry. The design and construction teams made up of the architects, engineers, contractors, and LEED consultants worked together to create a sustainable and healthy space for Meals On Wheels of Tampa to continue their mission of improving community wellbeing.
Some of the sustainability features of this building include:
All water fixtures meet LEED water efficiency requirements and reduce indoor water use by over 35%
Through the use of native plantings and efficient irrigation techniques, outdoor water use was reduced by over 75%
Energy use was reduced by 18% compared to a similarly sized code-compliant building
The construction team diverted 87% of construction and demolition waste (over 80 tons worth) from going to the landfill
Low VOC building materials were used wherever possible (paints, finishes, adhesives, sealants, etc.)
The site is 40% open space with 66% of that being vegetated or covered by tree canopy, helping to naturally manage stormwater and providing a beautiful, green environment for employees and volunteers to enjoy
Paving and roof materials were chosen based on high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) values, reducing the site’s contribution to the urban heat island effect
Meals On Wheels of Tampa is committed to the betterment of the Tampa community. We are grateful to the many individuals who help make our LEED certification a reality.
