A private developer of shell buildings for multi-tenant occupancies approached IONIC about a project opportunity after he began to recognize a shift in the market toward smaller buildings with sustainable features. Large strip shopping centers with little building character were not enticing customers to shop which resulted in tenants seeking properties that consumers would be drawn too.
Early meetings between the design team, general contractor and owner helped to establish a program and a concept that the owner could successfully market to potential tenants and get their feedback on obtaining LEED Certification. Input from several prospective tenants of national retail companies helped to encourage the decision to pursue certification. Several coordination meetings were held to decide what features would be most beneficial to incorporate. Developing a speculative retail center presented challenges that limited the scope and control of the sustainable features the owner could specify. Not knowing how the interior space would take shape and the mechanical needs of the prospective tenants, it restricted the approach the design team could take.
To ensure the tenants would have an opportunity to achieve LEED certification if they chose, the project team focused on the building envelope and project location.