Known as the "most environmentally advanced commercial building in Washington, D.C., the National Association of Realtors' new headquarters overlooking the U.S. Capitol is already an award-winning symbol of environmentally-friendly "green" building standards.

According to NAR spokesperson Steve Cook, only the National Geographic headquarters which was a renovation, not a new building, comes as close to meeting the stringent standards required for an edifice to be certified "green" by the Greens Building Council, the organization which awards the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a certification that the NAR hopes to add to its growing list of accolades for the headquarters.

NAR's Class "A" 12-story green building, begun in October 2002, has already been honored with two awards by the Washington Business Journal for "Best Architecture" and "Best Financing." It was also named runner-up for "Best Urban Office Project" and "Best Sustainable Growth Project."

"It's remarkable that no one else has tried to build something like this," observes Cook. "Besides the rehabilitation of the National Geographic headquarters, no other building in D.C. comes close to meeting the LEEDS environmental standards."

Among the "green" aspects of the building are a landscaping plan that uses native plant species to reduce irrigation demands and captures rain water for reuse in irrigation; efficient HVAC systems and a high-performance glass curtain wall to reduce energy use by as much as 30 percent compared to code standards; zero use of CFC-refrigerants; high-recycled building materials; smoking prohibitions throughout the office spaces; and a carbon dioxide monitoring system to introduce fresh air in areas of increased occupancy.

Cook notes that the criteria that garners points is interesting. "The distance you transport materials to build the building is one thing," says Cook. "We get points for the curtain wall to keep the offices warm in winter and cool in the summer, and for our water-recirculating system."

Frank Herbert's Dune hasn't come to D.C. yet, but a self-sustaining building isn't as far away as people may think. "We are trying to make a statement of how people can live and work in green buildings," says Cook. "We are also trying to make a statement about our involvement in politics. We have a twelve-story stake in the ground and are committed to the environment, homeownership, and numerous other causes."

For Realtors wondering what the building will be used for, it will house the NAR's D.C. staff - government affairs, research and regulatory affairs, public affairs, and some finance and HR personnel, about 100 total. They will occupy about five floors or 40,000 square feet, and the other seven floors will be leased to tenants, as is the NAR headquarters in Chicago.

The building's efficient use of water and energy will benefit the environment while keeping operating costs down. It uses an abundance of natural daylight and low-emitting materials to help create a worker- and visitor-friendly indoor environment, says the NAR.

"The building is also a testament of NAR's commitment to this community," says Walt MacDonald, president of NAR. "NAR has had a consistent presence in Washington for more than 60 years. Just last May, NAR staff and members came together to build several homes for low-income families in the District, right across the mall in the Southeast section of Washington, through Habitat For Humanity's Congress Builds America program."

Earlier this year, NAR launched the Ambassador for Cities program as a way to help Realtors work with officials in several cities, including Washington, to promote housing opportunities in their communities. "Through this program, we are directly supporting Mayor Williams' efforts to revitalize this neighborhood – just a few blocks from our building," says McDonald. "Specifically, we are helping to create a comprehensive plan to re-develop the area. The result will be more safe and affordable housing for current and new residents of this community."

Additionally, NAR and the Washington, D.C., Association of Realtors® have developed a new "D.C. Homebuyer Guide" that Realtors® will give to families who are interested in taking the important first steps toward homeownership.

McDonald believes the building is an important symbol of the American Dream. "It's Realtors' own architectural masterpiece," says McDonald. "It's an esthetic blend of wood, concrete, glass and steel that represents NAR's aspirations, our members' aspirations and the entire Realtor family."

Published: October 28, 2004

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.