Constellation Blvd. in Century City.
In accordance with its advanced and forward-thinking nature, much of corporate Century City has made an effort to maintain green, environmentally friendly lifestyles. Alongside several other Century City skyscrapers, Constellation Place has instilled numerous sustainability practices within the building to encourage a more practical usage of surrounding resources.
According to general manager Jodi Talentino, Constellation Place “is ahead of the sustainability curve” since opening in 2003, setting a prime example for other developments to follow and keep sustainability practices as a part of ongoing goals.
“We were the first LEED-certified high-rise office building in Los Angeles,” Talentino said. “After that first Silver certification in June 2008, the building was awarded a LEED Gold Certification in 2010 after additional sustainability practices were implemented. Both the owner [of Constellation Place] and I are very committed to sustainability.”
In order to achieve the initial LEED Silver certification process, Constellation Place made efforts to conserve energy, reduce utility consumption, increase the efficiency of the building’s mechanical equipment, add a reflective coating to the roof, and designate preferential parking spaces for hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles, according to the building’s website.
One of the highlights on the building’s list of green efforts is a comprehensive recycling program, which has been in place since Constellation Place opened in 2003.
“We have a program that takes care of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, paint, and more,” Talentino said. “We conduct a year-round electronic waste recycling and battery recycling, and we also hold a paper shredding document destruction day twice a year. Tenants can bring documents from home or from the office and have them shredded.”
Constellation Place tries to “simplify the recycling process for the tenants” and “make it as easy as possible for them to be ‘green’ with their waste,” Talento said. Tenants are provided with cardboard desk side boxes and larger recycling boxes for copy areas, pantries, and break rooms.
Since 2004, Constellation Place has, on average recycled 11.36 tons of mixed paper and cardboard a month.
Another sustainability effort that the building has invested in is a long-term Energy Management Program (EMP), which helps keep energy savings on track.
“The EMP is highlighted by evaluation and implementation of advanced energy efficiency strategies, alternative energy technologies, continuous commissioning, and ongoing performance tracking,” Talentino said. “We’ve done a lot of energy savings retrofits.”
Constellation Place boasts a Building Energy Management System (EMS) Monitoring as one of its retrofits. This form of monitoring allows the building to automatically start the heating and cooling of the space and effectively control temperatures; the building can also power down prior to unoccupied times.
“The EMS is a powerful tool used at Constellation Place with its optimal start and stop capabilities,” Talentino said. “This is extremely beneficial in reducing energy usage.”
The building also utilizes a lighting control system that “provides significant energy savings” as well, since it gives management the ability to turn the lights on and off regardless of the time.
Also contributing to its energy-saving efforts is the installation of 1,408 solar panels that cover more than one acre on the roof of the parking structure, which is a newer technology that is uncommon to the typical office building. In addition, Constellation Place recently installed a battery storage system within the building in 2014.
“We’ve also implemented water savings retrofits,” Talentino said. “Since 2007, Constellation Place has achieved approximately 30 percent in annual water savings through the installation of low-flow, high-efficiency restroom fixtures.”
Some actions that Constellation Place has taken to reduce water usage include performing annual inspections of toilets, faucets, and landscaping fixtures; adjusting landscaping watering schedules appropriate for weather conditions; [and] performing monthly irrigation system inspections.
In 2009, Constellation Place installed dual flush valves on the toilets of the women’s restrooms, replaced 377 existing parking structure lighting fixtures with energy-efficient fixtures, and installed low flush urinals, according to the building’s website.
Aside from the programs, Constellation Place staff understands the necessity of education and awareness among themselves. Management ensures that the building staff receives consistent training, that engineering staff attend relevant classes and seminars. Staff members pursue industry certifications, and janitorial staff participate in a “green cleaning” program. Tenants are also encouraged to participate in sustainability practices.
“In terms of work and maintenance to upkeep these efforts, an important aspect of the building’s sustainability programs includes regularly educating staff and tenants on green practices and building policies,” Talentino said.
Constellation Place, LLC is a subsidiary of JMB Realty, an entity that holds a deep commitment in acting as a leader in sustainable development, property management, and business practices, according to the building.
“Energy savings [are] a real priority and part of JMB’s ongoing management goals,” Talentino said. “The building staff is committed to sustainability practices and has the building ownership’s full support in implementing and promoting them. We’re continually looking for other sustainable practices to do.”
In 2011, Constellation Place became the first high-rise building in L.A. to be served by electricity-generating fuel cells, according to the building.
Among other “green” certifications, Constellation Place was recently given the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)’s International Earth Award.
Talentino said that the building is currently working on achieving platinum-level LEED certification and is currently a LEED EB O&M Gold certified building.
Constellation Place is located at 10250 Constellation Blvd. in Century City.
For more information on Constellation Place, call 310.551.0077 or visit constellation-place.com.
