The Bridge Certified LEED-CS Platinum

Late last week, we received the good news that The Bridge, an Epstein designed and engineered 79,500 square meter (855,000 square foot) speculative office development located in the Orhideea district of Bucharest was certified LEED-CS Platinum. Situated in the shadow of the Basarabia Bridge and on the former location of the Spicul bread factory, the site for this office development takes advantage of key access to major thoroughfares, bus routes, tram lines and the nearby Metro station. The Bridge Building is also located directly across from the Orhideea retail center and also in close proximity to the University of Bucharest.

For the Bridge Building, Epstein provided architectural design and full-service engineering services including concept design, permitting and technical documentation. In addition, Epstein was the consultant for LEED certification, a role that was led by Alinda Dudu, LEED AP, BREEAM IA, our Bucharest-based senior architect.

The Bridge development is comprised of two building that were constructed in separate phases. The first building, totaling roughly 31,948 square meters (343,000 square feet) of gross leasable area, features a C-shape in order to form a courtyard that is an amenity for building tenants. The C form of this building was also designed to create large floor plate, but yet at the same time, offer natural daylight and views to nearly every workstation.

The second building, which is currently under construction and will pursue its own LEED certification, totals roughly 18,521 square meters (200,000 square feet) of gross leasable area, is I-shaped to partially close off the courtyard to the west of the site allowing for both buildings to benefit from the courtyard. Both buildings sit atop a two-level underground parking structure that accommodates roughly 600 cars.

The Bridge Building incorporates a number of sustainable design features which allowed the development to achieve LEED-CS Platinum certification. The buildings various sustainable design features include the capturing of storm water for use in landscape watering, storm water quality discharge through oil and silt separation, high-efficiency glazing customized to façade exposers, LED lighting and four-pipe fan coil HVAC system.

Additionally, the Bridge Building also features bicycle provisions, alternative energy vehicle parking, and drought tolerant landscaping. And, nearly 80% of all tenant work space areas have access to daylight and views out of the building. Lastly, the building provides for tenant metering, excellent access to public transportation (three metro stations and one rail station within a 10 minute walk) as well as bus line and tram line access in front of the development.

With the Bridges accreditation, Epstein has now played a design, engineering or sustainable design consulting role in helping 60 facilities around the world achieve LEED certification.