Community Updates

Kohler Signature Store Receives LEED Gold Certification

The Kohler Signature Store by First Supply has become the first retail space in the U.S. to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification under the new LEED v4 guidelines. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded the 5,800 square-foot showroom located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, LEED Gold v4 for Interior Design & Construction Retail.

Published 7 years ago | About a 2 minute read

“This project demonstrates the progress made toward recognizing the value of the environment and the buildings where we work, shop and live,” said Joe Azzarello, senior staff engineer, sustainability for Kohler. “The three legs of sustainability — people, planet and profit — were incorporated into the store design, resulting in a beautiful and functional space that has a much smaller environmental footprint than similar spaces.”

Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC added, “LEED v4 was created so that projects could obtain higher levels of environmental sustainability in order to continue to revolutionize the built environment. Kohler’s achievement of becoming the fourth project in Wisconsin to certify using LEED v4, demonstrates tremendous green building leadership and commitment to making the world a better place. Market transformation happens one building at a time and Kohler's project is a prime example of how innovative projects can use local solutions to make a global impact on generations to come.”

Kohler and First Supply partnered with MSI General Corporation to design the building that is only the second retail site in the world to earn LEED Gold for LEED v4. LEED Gold certified buildings can reduce energy use by up to 50 percent, carbon dioxide emissions by more than 30 percent, water use by 40 percent, and solid waste by 70 percent.

“For the Kohler Signature Store by First Supply, seeking LEED certification was about creating a space that presses the boundaries of kitchen and bath retail both from an inspirational design and community standpoint,” said Kathryn Poehling, chief operating officer – kitchen & bath showrooms, First Supply LLC. “LEED is all about challenging our buildings to be smarter, healthier and more sustainable.”

The LEED certification process takes into consideration several factors:

Location of the facility in relation to public transportation and local services
Pre-planning for waste management throughout the construction process
Recycling protocols during operation
Reduced parking footprint and bicycle facilities
Use of energy-efficient windows, lighting, fixtures, and heating and cooling systems
Indoor air quality for employee and visitor health and comfort

“We are honored to have partnered with Kohler Co. and First Supply on this project,” said Dirk Debbink, chairman and chief executive officer of MSI General. “It shows what can be accomplished on behalf of businesses and communities that embrace energy-efficient, high-performance construction.”

In addition to the Wauwatosa showroom earning the first LEED Gold for LEED v4, the Kohler Signature by Expressions Home Gallery, in Culver City, California, was the first retail space to receive overall LEED v4 certification. The latest version of LEED, v4 incorporates a more comprehensive approach to water efficiency and an expanded focus on the impact of materials on human health.