Thornton Tomasetti mixed-use sustainability and renovation project receives LEED Platinum

San Francisco — Thornton Tomasetti, the international engineering firm, announced that 680 Folsom Street and 50 Hawthorne Street in San Francisco have achieved LEED Platinum certification. The firm provided sustainability consulting and renovation services for the approximately 522,000-square-foot, two-building office and retail campus in the South of Market District.

Thornton Tomasetti was retained by the owner, TMG Partners, to manage the LEED certification process, which included providing a sustainability strategy to the design team, tracking compliance with LEED during design and construction, and reviewing and submitting documentation to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The project team included architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and contractor Plant Construction Company.

Key Sustainability Points

• The 14-story 680 Folsom Street received a two-floor, 100,000-square-foot expansion. Renovation work included seismic upgrades and a new core.

• Both 680 Folsom Street and the three-story 50 Hawthorne Street received new stairs and elevators, exterior curtain walls and storefronts, new MEP systems with a mechanical penthouse, and new fire/life safety systems.

• The sustainability measures put into place at the complex reduced water usage by 41 percent through efficient plumbing fixtures.

• Energy cost savings of more than 31 percent from code are achieved through efficient HVAC systems. Additionally, daylighting at the property is available to 84 percent of the regularly occupied spaces, which contributes to the energy savings and occupant satisfaction.

• The complex features a green roof deck and courtyard garden between the two buildings. The project team developed and implemented a green housekeeping program for both properties as well.

Additionally, three of Thornton Tomasetti’s sustainability projects in the San Francisco area recently achieved LEED Gold: the 90,000-square-foot California State University San Marcos Student Union; Tishman Speyer’s 298,694-square-foot Foundry III office building; and Terminal Three, Boarding Area E at the San Francisco International Airport.