Colorado Springs Office Awarded Prestigious LEED Green Building Certification

October 5, 2009

Colorado Springs, Colorado... Sept. 24, 2009...Farnsworth Group, Inc. announced today that its Colorado Springs Branch Office has been awarded LEED^® Gold for Commercial Interiors established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

"As one of the few LEED certified facilities in Colorado Springs," said Bethany Beers, Farnsworth Group's Sustainable Technologies Manager, "we hope to use our branch office as a demonstration place, a research place, and a training place. We welcome visitors to come to our office to see what is possible in sustainability."

Farnsworth's Colorado Springs Branch Office achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified building save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"Farnsworth Group's Colorado Springs Branch Office LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Farnsworth's Colorado Springs Branch Office serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish."

LEED certification of Farnsworth's Colorado Springs Branch Office was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• A water efficiency of 40% better than minimum code compliance through the use of low-flow toilets, faucets and showers.
• All electrical use is sub-metered, encouraging energy efficiency because the tenant is required to pay for the energy used and has a direct incentive to decrease energy costs through energy reduction.
• The lighting system was designed to maximize staff comfort and energy efficiency. The lighting system is 39% better than minimum code compliance with task lighting installed for each employee, who can directly control the amount of lighting above each desk.
• As much of the existing walls and other non-structural components as possible were saved to minimize the need for new construction.
• The shower room and bike rack located on the patio are provided to encourage staff to choose an alternative to driving, such as riding a bike or walking. Employees are taking advantage of these amenities more than originally anticipated, which leads to better overall health and wellness of the staff.
• Every office, cubicle and conference room has a view to the outdoors. Studies from the University of San Diego Burham-Moores Center for Real Estate conclude that employees who have daylighting features, such as Farnsworth's Colorado Springs Branch Office, have higher productivity, reduced sick time, and less turnover than buildings that do not have "green" features.
• Existing and new ductwork was covered during the construction period to avoid contamination, thereby helping to keep the air clean and dust free once the staff moved in.
• All systems furniture and seating is Greenguard^® certified because it is manufactured with low-emitting components.
• Paints and coatings used throughout the space, as well as adhesives and sealants, were chosen because they have minimal off-gassing, which reduces the impact of staff health.
• Rapidly renewable materials (products that can be re-grown within 10 years) are used in the flooring system of the staff training room and the doors. The floor product, marmoleum, a natural linoleum is used because of its natural anti-microbial features as well as its use of linseed oil, a byproduct of the papermaking industry. Other rapidly renewable materials used in the space include cork and bamboo wallpaper.
• Materials used throughout the space were selected to maximize the recycled content, minimizing the need for new, virgin materials to be created or mined. The space uses recycled carpets, furniture, doors, and millwork.
• The office also offers single stream recycling to staff members.

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