The Sheward Partnership Philadelphia Headquarters Achieves Ready Designation Under the Living Building Challenge Core Program!

The Sheward Partnership is thrilled to announce that our Philadelphia headquarters achieved Ready designation under the Living Building Challenge® Core program! Living Building Challenge (LBC) is considered the highest standard in sustainable design. LBC pioneered the Red List, a list of hazardous chemicals to strive to eliminate from specifications, even though these contaminants are widely prevalent across the construction industry. One example is formaldehyde in composite wood. Ready designation confirms our documentation is approved. We will proceed with a 1-year performance period to demonstrate space achieves superior energy and water performance.

This rigorous certification process inspired us to think beyond LEED and WELL strategies to push industry limits. Included below are a few highlights specific to LBC:

• Materials were reused to reduce embodied carbon, as seen in reusing doors, casework, and furniture from our previous office space.
• Incorporated living green walls for maximum exposure to nature and biophilic design.
• TSP vetted over 200 materials to find the most sustainable option available on the market, including reduced embodied carbon, EPDs, recycled content, HPDs, Red List compliance, and low-VOC products.
• FSC certification for 100% of new wood materials.
• While we’ve largely moved away from local materials in LEED, TSP documented 31% of materials were manufactured within 300 miles of Philadelphia, including furniture.
• Architectural manufacturers have eliminated hazardous materials (e.g., PVC, lead) but these materials are still prevalent in MEP materials. We targeted some MEP materials for reduced hazardous material content, as seen in sustainable HVAC and plumbing pipe insulation and some PVC-free lighting fixtures.

We are so happy to add this certification to our LEED & WELL Platinum office. A huge thank you to our amazing team members who contributed to the certification process!

Project Team

Owner: Stoltz Real Estate Partners

Architecture, Interiors: The Sheward Partnership

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering: Alderson Engineering

Lighting Design: The Lighting Practice

Acoustical Design: Metropolitan Acoustics

MEP Commissioning: The Stone House Group

LEED, WELL, & Sustainability Consultant: The Sheward Partnership

Construction Management: Dale Corp