News from City Hall
City Communications Office
City of Kansas City, Mo.
www.kcmo.org
CONTACT: Mary Charles, City Communications Officer, (816) 513-1356

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2008

Bartle Hall ballroom receives green building council's silver rating

The Kansas City Convention Center's new ballroom received the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification, the third highest distinction.

"From an environmental standpoint, this is one of the most significant and important designations that can be bestowed upon a piece of architecture," said Eric Bosch, manager of architecture for the Capital Improvements Management Office. "The team that worked on this project went to great lengths to ensure that the construction - and existence - of the Bartle Hall ballroom would make as little impact on the environment as possible."

The Capital Improvements Management Office managed the $150 million project, which included several innovative "green" solutions that make the 46,000-square-foot ballroom environmentally friendly and energy efficient. HNTB Architecture, Junk Architects, International Architects Atelier and Henderson Engineers led the design team that incorporated sophisticated day-lighting, lighting control and energy management solutions to help achieve the certification.

The use of natural daylight throughout the ballroom is one of the most substantial contributors to the silver rating. The design incorporates skylights, large glass walls with overhangs, existing sunscreens and operable interior shades to control direct sunlight while still allowing views of the city. Environmentally-friendly building materials were used to construct the ballroom, including more than 20 percent recycled content. Water use in the ballroom was reduced in the building by more than 30 percent and more than 75 percent of construction waste was kept out of landfills through recycling.

The U.S. Green Building Council designed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system to encourage and facilitate development of high-performance green buildings nationwide.

Media inquiries about this issue should be directed to Deanna Richards, communications specialist in the Capital Improvements Management Office, (816) 513-2757.