LEED NC Gold
Project Type: Turnkey
Location: Suzhou
Completion: May 2009
Area: 8400 m2

The First LEED Project in the Suzhou Free Trade Zone
In the Suzhou, EDG embarked on and project with Caterpillar, the world’s largest construction equipment manufacturer, to pioneer the first LEED construction project in the Free Trade Zone. In accordance with and emphasizing Caterpillar’s commitment to sustainable development, EDG delivered on a project to be designed and constructed to meet the LEED Standard requirements with the target being LEED certification. EDG has incorporated a large variety of eco-strategies in the new Caterpillar Suzhou facility: All the eco-strategies adopted in this building make it a unique place to work for Caterpillar employees and visitors. It also sets the example for “green buildings” in Suzhou and China.

Employing innovative solutions strategies we raised the bar on sustainable building. The following identifies some of these solutions: usage of sustainable materials such as carpets, low emitting adhesives and sealants, FSC wood, as well as specification of materials such as wood fiber acoustic boards and wheat board panels. Other sustainable strategies utilized involved allowing direct daylight view access for over 75% of the spaces in the office creating a comfortable and thermally efficient environment for the employees. During the construction stage we ensured that Indoor Air Quality Management and Construction Management Strategies were implemented to deliver a healthy, clean site both for the workers as well as for the Caterpillar staff.

Our LEED expertise in both design & building solutions met the client`s need for function and aesthetics whilst enabling them to realize their objective and being LEED NC Gold Certification.

As the Vice President of the Earth Moving Division of Caterpillar stated in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Project:
“(this is) A Project that is model for Caterpillar and a showcase for the rest of us”.