SDC saw its first international project achieve green building certification – LEED Gold-level, no less! Edificio Celebra was the new flagship office building at the Zonamerica Business and Technology Park in Montevideo, Uruguay. This existing campus included 25 buildings of different uses, such as offices, laboratories, light industrial and logistical activities, and support services for the 8,000 people who already worked there. Designed by Carlos Ott, the 115,682-sf new building was primarily developed for lease to the offices of international banks and insurance companies, providing a business center, restaurant-style retail, a basement level with patio, and a penthouse suite. Now several years into occupancy, the building demonstrates Zonamerica’s environmental commitment. Rainwater is collected for use in the toilets and irrigation systems, while wastewater is treated on-site as part of a campus-wide water reuse system. Zonamerica implements an innovative recycling program which not only recycles standard materials, but also diverts organic waste to be converted to compost for farms in the surrounding area. The building provides 360-degree views of the Zonamerica park, maximizing use of daylight while enhancing the indoor environmental quality for building occupants. Energy use is reduced thanks to a combination of high-performance glazing, a high-efficiency HVAC system and LED lighting. Most notably, a rooftop 37.4 kW photovoltaic array supplies nearly 3% of the building’s annual electricity needs. We’d love another opportunity to work on such a first-class sustainable project overseas!