REI Opens Innovative LEED Certified Green Retail Store

Last week, PSFK took a look at potential green transportation alternatives when we drove the Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered Chevrolet Equinox. This week we’re having a look at a new retail store that is also at the forefront of eco-consciousness.

Outdoor gear and clothing retailer REI recently opened it’s latest LEED Silver Certified store in Boulder Colorado. This location is the first in the country to use the new LEED for Retail criteria. The store is part prototype and part laboratory intending to test new retail concepts and the performance of green building features, including state-of-the-art technology and environmentally friendly materials.

REI’s prototype initiative is structured around our community involvement, environmental stewardship and commitment to be a gateway to the outdoors, adds Brian Unmacht, REI’s senior vice president of sales, store development and logistics. Our Boulder location captures the uniqueness of REI’s brand and values, while supporting our aspirations to reduce our environmental footprint.

Three solar strategies — passive solar, solar thermal and solar electric — were incorporated into the design. Natural daylight is channeled throughout the store through Solatubes while store lighting automatically dims or turns off during the day. Solatubes will save the store more than 20 percent in its energy costs, the annual equivalent of powering up to three houses. A soaring entryway skylight collects energy from imbedded silicon solar cells, and is the first installation of building-integrated photovoltaics of its kind in a retail environment. A solar hot water system will meet 70 percent of the store’s hot water needs that is supplied through efficient plumbing fixtures.

Some of the most striking differences in the store’s appearance occur through design changes and the incorporation of renewable and sustainable materials. Located at the center of the 42,000 square-foot store is an elevated community center — a first for REI. The community center highlights REI’s commitment to connecting co-op members and customers to resources for recreation opportunities, outdoor and conservation clubs and non-profit organizations, and regional service projects to help protect shared natural spaces. The area also features event space for up to 80 people that is available to non-profits and clubs.

Green materials, such as bamboo, recycled rubber and cork, have been incorporated throughout the store on the floor, perimeter walls, fixtures, displays, benches and table tops. The store also makes use of wood sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forests ensuring the wood came from a renewable source.

For REI, implementing green building practices into it’s business reflects it’s commitment to respecting the environment and furthers it’s efforts to send zero waste to the landfill by 2020.. In 2004, REI’s Portland, Ore. location became the first retail store in the country to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED gold rating for commercial interiors following in 2006 with a Silver for REI Pittsburgh. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a set of standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

REI has created a mini-site to provide more information about the Boulder store. You can also take a look at the company’s comprehensive environmental stewardship initiatives. It’d be nice to see more companies release annual green reports at the same time as their annual financial reports.