Ashley McGraw Celebrates LEED Silver Certification

Pictured left to right: Associate Principal Jason Evans, Ashley McGraw; Principal Susanne Angarano, Ashley McGraw; Project Administrator Yukari Treible, Ashley McGraw; and Director Tracie Hall, New York Upstate U.S. Green Building Council

Ashley McGraw Architects is pleased to announce its Syracuse office has been awarded LEED Silver certification. To celebrate, the firm hosted a ceremony on Monday, February 12, 2018. At the ceremony, Ashley McGraw also revealed their 2018 JUST label, which demonstrates the firm’s commitment to social justice and equity.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

“Our team understands that the LEED program is more than implementing sustainable practices; it represents a tangible commitment to making the world a better place, and influencing others to do better,” said Ed McGraw, founding partner and CEO of Ashley McGraw. “We are proud to contribute to the success of our clients and the community by applying our knowledge of sustainability to all of our work.” Reflecting its expertise, the firm is currently working on a Net Zero building and a Living Building Challenge project.

The design for the 9,000-square-foot office, located on the top floor of the 15-story Onondaga Tower, includes energy-efficient LED lighting (often with automatic occupancy sensors), daylighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures and fittings, and low-VOC paints and surfaces. The floor in the studio is made of reclaimed wood harvested from local school buildings.

Among the features that address the comfort and well-being of Ashley McGraw employees are an open floor plan that not only promotes the spread of daylight throughout the office, but also defines a collaborative work environment; sit-to-stand desks, and breakout hubs and flexible spaces that can be configured to accommodate a variety of gatherings and functions.

This attention to the human element is also reflected in Ashley McGraw’s JUST label. JUST is a tool used by organizations to voluntarily report on employee and community benefits. The social justice and equity indicators are diversity, worker benefit, equity, local benefit, safety, and stewardship.  

About LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

About JUST
JUST is a voluntary tool organizations use to report on employee and community benefits. Indicators include diversity, worker benefit, equity, local benefit, safety and stewardship.