Blues Going Green at Rhode Island HQ

PROVIDENCE, RI-Eagerly embracing the sustainability design movement, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is aiming for a Silver LEED certificate for its new headquarters, now under construction in the city’s Downtown district. The 13-story, 327,000-sf building is slated for completion late next year.

Green-building elements that BCBSRI is hoping will win the Silver designation, include insulated glass curtain walls that will allow abundant daylight into the offices and enable sensors to dim or turn off perimeter lighting. Architect Symmes Maini & McKee Associates of Boston is also incorporating two vegetated roofs to reduce heat gain and manage storm water runoff that will then help cool equipment in the building’s data center, while the latest technology is being used for heating, cooling and water conservation in the mechanical systems selected. In addition, materials for construction, furniture and finishes are coming from regional sources and meet other criteria as environmentally sensitive.