"This 25,000 square-foot office and studio space completed in December 2004, in the space owned by Greiner-Pacaud/Hamilton Management, demonstrated most of the principles involved – except one – client management buy-in. As a sustainable design firm itself that strives to integrate sustainable design principles into all of its projects, HOK, the client, had no need to be educated in LEED requirements.

"It was most important to 'find a landlord who was prepared to take the journey with us,' said Don Crichton, vice president of Workplace Solutions at HOK. Other key criteria for the HOK Toronto Office included:

• Accessibility by public transportation – right on a subway line if at all possible.
  
• In a raw space condition, allowing HOK to put in the necessary mechanical systems, lighting and controls."

"A north side exposure was an added plus – contributing to glare reduction and energy conservation. Open workstations were specifically designed to take advantage of daylight and views and to encourage collaborative work."

"Location and LEED base building requirements were explained to the real estate partners. A high level LEED training session was delivered to the real estate parties early in the process. The landlord was extremely accommodating from the outset."

'Knowing that they were prepared to put in operable windows signaled that they were prepared to partner with us,' added Crichton. 'That made the decision for us. The landlord also assisted us in separating waste, and gave us space to sort recyclable materials.'"

Source: "Site Selection for LEED CI Projects," Environmental Design + Construction, July 2006, by Sholem Prasow. Read the story.