Duke Energy (formerly Progress Energy)

St. Petersburg, FL

The 18-story, mixed-use, Duke Energy building (formerly Progress Energy) in St. Petersburg, Florida includes several sustainable design features integrated into the architecture, materials specification, MEP systems, and construction materials and methods. The LEED AP scorecard highlights the fact that the project meets the seven LEED AP prerequisites at no additional cost, except for the commissioning consultant. Additionally, the scorecard indicates more than half of the required points, to be certified, are acquired at no cost, as they are the present basis of design. Energy efficient lighting, low emitting carpet and paint specifications, and insulation that exceeds minimum energy code standards are some of the materials specified for the project. The office building also includes a rainwater channeling system to irrigate plant material near the entry canopy and solar water heaters on the roof that serve as the primary water-heating source. The project’s energy efficient considerations, together with the contractor’s plan for construction waste control and recycling of demolition materials, serves to distinguish Duke Energy’s office building in Saint Petersburg as a well-rounded “green” project.