General Motors' Korea Design Center receives LEED Gold Certification

The General Motors Korea Design Center here has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Gold certification from the US Green Building Council. It is the first automotive facility in South Korea and GM's seventh worldwide to achieve LEED certification.

Elements of the facility's environmental design includes - Adopting energy-efficienttechnologyand LED lighting throughout the facility, reducing energy cost by 26 per cent; Reusing rainwater fortoilets and landscaping, cutting overall water consumption in half; Installing a chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC-free cooling system; Using recycled and regional materials for construction, and monitoring construction waste disposal; Usingstorage and collection facilities for recyclables; Installing a ventilation system, using lowvolatile organic compound, or VOC, paints and adhesives, and removing indoor air contaminants through high-efficiency filtration systems.

According to the building council, LEED-certified buildings are designed to have healthier, cleaner indoor environmental quality,which means health benefits for occupants.

"Green buildings with increased ventilation and better lighting support the health and productivity of employees," said Doug Ravas, General Motors Senior Manager, Global Facilities. "With seven LEED-certified facilities, GM is demonstrating its long-term commitment to its employees and the environment."

The US$ 40-million GM Korea Design Center opened in April 2014. It houses exterior and interior vehicle styling, digital design and studio engineering operations that support GM's global vehicle programs.

The GM Korea Design Center joins these GM facilities in receiving LEED certification - GM China Advanced Technical Center (Silver), GM China Headquarters (Gold), GM Enterprise Data Centerin the US (Gold), Joinville Engine Plant in Brazil (Gold), Lansing Delta Township Plant in the US (Gold) and Milford Proving Ground Administration Building in the US (Gold).

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