BALA CYNWYD, PA — Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP (MGKF), the environmental, energy and land use law and litigation firm, utilized sustainable design and construction when relocating its headquarters office from the fifth floor to the ninth floor of 401 City Ave. in Bala Cynwyd, Pa in early 2014. MGKF was interested in the long-term cost savings that could be
achieved through these increased efficiencies. During the initial year in the new office space, MGKF had the unique opportunity to compare energy data between their old and new suites since they moved within the same building.
Using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to track directly metered energy consumption and cost, MGKF determined that the new office suite achieved a 47% energy savings and more than $8,000 in annual energy cost savings during 2014. In addition, it is important to note that the new office space is 10% larger and that the total degree heating and cooling days were 4% higher in 2014 versus 2013.With technical assistance from the Sheward Partnership, the construction of the new office suite included practical and measureable strategies to achieve energy and water efficiencies, improved indoor environmental quality, lower operating costs, waste reduction and local sourcing. Despite earlier energy conservation measures such as fit-outs, lighting upgrades and participation in the ENERGY STAR Green Lights program, in total, the old office suite was less efficient. Both old and new suites received hot and chilled water from a base building central utility plant, so the energy values measured do not encompass total office energy use but are provided for comparison purposes only. MGKF’s commercial interior buildout project achieved the prestigious LEED Gold certification under the LEED Green Building Rating System for Interior Design and Construction: Commercial Interiors (LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors). MGKF was the first law firm in the Philadelphia region to achieve Gold level certification under LEED for Commercial Interiors for its office space.