LEED Gold For Colorado Retail Store

BOULDER, Colo. — Recreation Equipment Inc., a national outdoor gear and clothing retail cooperative, earned LEED Gold certification for its prototype store, REI Boulder.

The prototype store was developed to cut REI’s environmental footprint by improving energy efficiency, water conservation and the use of recycled and renewable materials. The renovated and expanded store boasts several environmentally sustainable features along with an elevated 2,000-square-foot community center with an event space for up to 80 people, according to REI.

“The design and construction of our Boulder store has allowed REI to test innovative technologies and concepts, pushing the co-op to a new level of sustainability,” says Brian Unmacht, executive vice-president of sales, store development and logistics for REI.

Some of the stores green highlights include solar tubes to channel natural light throughout the store, a solar hot water system that meets 70 percent of hot water needs and plumbing fixtures to reduce water use by 30 percent.

Store uses wind-generated electricity of 98 percent of its electricity needs. The remaining 2 percent comes from a photovoltaic system, according to REI. More than 55 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills.

The store serves as the company’s first prototype location. REI’s Portland, Ore., store was the first in the country to earn a LEED Gold designation. The company’s store in Pittsburgh, Pa., earned LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors and its eastern region distribution center in Bedford, Pa., is certified LEED Silver for New Construction.