While complaints about the Barnes moving from Merion have mostly calmed down, the Barnes Foundation is continuing to make news! This time, their new(ish) Philly home received a great GREEN honor today: LEED Platinum.

The Barnes is the 1st art & educational institution to achieve the LEED platinum status from USGBC (US Green Building Council). They also have a piece of the Big Apple (literally.) How did they accomplish such a task?

95% of the building construction waste was diverted from landfills and the fantastic art crib will save about 44% of energy each year compared to a similar traditionally designed building. A vegetated roof, renewable, local & recycled construction materials (including reclaimed from Coney Island’s boardwalk), and water efficiency both inside & outside the building. The gardens outside the building aren’t just ascetically beautiful – they also are hardy & drought-tolerant.

Our Greenworks cheerleader, Mayor Michael Nutter agrees. “The Barnes Foundation’s new building is a wonderful addition to Philadelphia’s iconic Parkway, not only for the benefits it brings to Philadelphia and the larger community, but for its attention to environmental design standards. It’s a project that shows that Philadelphia is a city that cares deeply about the arts and sustainability.”

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher