Is it the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday that is turning things green for Rollins-PCI Construction? The answer is "No", rather Rollins-PCI Construction is proud to announce the completion of its first ground-up LEED® certified new construction project. The appropriately named Fairwood Green bank branch for PNC Bank, located in Bowie, Maryland, employs many innovative design elements that provide affirmation of PNC’Ss leadership in "green" business practices. As a valued partner of PNC in the construction of this and many other projects for the bank, Rollins-PCI Construction also positions itself as a leader in the construction of LEED® certified base building construction.

Rollins-PCI Construction is honored to be the General Contractor selected to complete the first Green Branch™ for PNC Bank in Maryland, and thus to take a significant leadership role not just with our client, but in the entire LEED® certified movement in the U.S. Green Branch™ is an initiative established by PNC as the first U.S. bank to apply green building standards to all newly constructed or renovated retail branch offices.

The Rollins-PCI Construction team not only met the requirements set for in the LEED® Green Building Rating System™, they outperformed the standard by exceeding the client mandated goal of diverting 50% of the construction waste away from a landfill. Rollins-PCI Construction was actually able to divert 95%! This exceptional performance by the Rollins-PCI Construction team earned the project an extra point on the rating system, much to the satisfaction of the client and their LEED® consultant.

The LEED® Green Building Rating System™ is the national benchmark for the design, construction and operations of high-performance green buildings. According to PNC, key initiatives incorporated into the construction of the new building include:

• Recycling: More than 50 percent of each branch, including carpet and furniture fabric, is made from recycled or "green" materials. For example, cabinetry and office doors are made of wheat board, a byproduct of wheat processing.
• Energy & Water Efficiency: Energy usage is reduced 50 percent or more compared to a traditional branch due to high-efficiency systems and insulation along with maximum use of natural light, which also provides a more open and airy space for customers and employees. Water usage is reduced by 6,200 gallons a year.
• Landfill/Waste Reduction: Construction waste, such as wood, steel and cardboard, is recycled or salvaged, reducing landfill waste by 150 tons per branch. Non-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants are used in the cooling system to protect the ozone.

Of the many challenges that Rollins-PCI Construction effectively managed was the separation and documentation of all construction waste. In order for a project to qualify as LEED® certified, a systematic approach to all elements of the project must be maintained and measured. This process that was deftly handled by the strong project team put together by Rollins-PCI Construction.

Overall, the Fairwood Green project demonstrates the commitment that Rollins-PCI Construction has made to contribute to the ever-expanding market of LEED® certified projects. By combining its exceptional performance with the know-how to build "green", Rollins-PCI Construction has established a strong foothold in the "green wave" that is revolutionizing the construction market both today and into the foreseeable future.

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