Energy

GM Korea Design Center Receives LEED Gold Certification

First Korean automotive facility to obtain environmental designation
Jun 11, 2014 12:15 PM ET
Campaign: GM Energy Efficiency
The General Motors design center in Incheon, South Korea is the company’s seventh facility to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

INCHEON, South Korea, June 11, 2014 /3BL Media/ – The General Motors Korea Design Center here has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Gold certification from the U.S. 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 include:

  • Adopting energy-efficient technology and LED lighting throughout the facility, reducing energy cost by 26 percent
  • Reusing rainwater for toilets 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
  • Using storage and collection facilities for recyclables
  • Installing a ventilation system, using low volatile 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.”

Worldwide, GM pursues green building design and construction practices on all projects. Whether constructing new facilities or upgrading existing ones, it uses LEED design and engineering guidelines for resource efficiency, conservation and sustainable materials.

The $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 Center in the U.S. (Gold), Joinville Engine Plant in Brazil (Gold), Lansing Delta Township Plant in the U.S. (Gold) and Milford Proving Ground  Administration Building in the U.S. (Gold)

For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and environmental blog.

About General Motors Co.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac,  Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

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