Designing Our Atlanta Studio
When we decided to relocate our Atlanta studio in 2009, we knew we had an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of our industry. At a time when sustainability had only just started to gain its foothold in architecture, we set out to achieve the extraordinary—to set a whole new standard on high-performance, healthy, environmentally responsible design.
We chose a 1980s office building in the heart of midtown, right across from the High Museum of Art, as our future home. Our plan was to adapt it for reuse as one of the most sustainable buildings in the nation. The results were off the charts: the retrofitted building not only earned LEED Platinum certification; it also scored the most LEED points of any project in the Northern Hemisphere.
A brick-and-mortar embodiment of our values, our home at 1315 Peachtree continues to stand as a beacon of sustainability—a promise of what’s possible when ingenuity, passion, and creativity combine.
We knew the best way to achieve a positive environmental impact was to select an existing building, retain as much of its structure as possible, and then upgrade and optimize its windows, HVAC, lighting, and plumbing. This allowed us to design 1315 Peachtree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60 percent, meeting the 2030 Challenge.
Additionally, we diverted 80 percent (60 tons) of demolition and construction waste from landfills by donating existing building materials to more than 20 local nonprofits.
Did you know? 1315 Peachtree was the site of a year-long research study that measured the physical and mental health benefits off adjustable workstations, also known as sit-stand desks. The study found that sit-stand desks may be beneficial in reducing sedentary behavior and supporting health outside the workplace.
—2012 AIA COTE Top Ten Juror
—Hon. Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta from 2010 to 2018
