BNA’s New Concourse D Awarded LEED Silver Certification for Green Design and Construction
Nashville International Airport’s (BNA) new Concourse D has received the prestigious LEED Silver certification for sustainable design and construction—making it one of only nine newly constructed airport facilities in the world to attain this distinction under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) rigorous LEED v4 standards.
With this certification, Concourse D becomes one of five LEED v4 Silver airport facilities in the nation and the first in Tennessee.
“LEED certification is a coveted mark of environmental distinction and innovation. We’re building not only a bigger airport, but also a better, ‘greener,’ more sustainable airport. I’m proud of our commitment to these principles and appreciative of all the hard work that went into obtaining this recognition.”
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by USGBC, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. USGBC routinely updates LEED guidance in an effort to continue raising the bar on what it means to be a high-performing, sustainable building. According to USGBC, BNA’s use of the rigorous LEED v4 standards demonstrates its commitment to delivering healthy, efficient and sustainable spaces.
“LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize our buildings and communities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green and high performing buildings. BNA’s Concourse D is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference.”
Concourse D is BNA’s fourth major concourse and a major component of BNA Vision, the dynamic expansion and renovation plan for Nashville International Airport. The $292 million facility opened in July 2020 with six domestic aircraft gates, 115,000 square feet of terminal space, compelling public art displays and a variety of amenities for travelers. LEED-certified buildings, like BNA’s Concourse D, are designed to reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources and support the health and well-being of those inside the space.
Examples of “green” components and practices that factored into the LEED Silver certification awarded Concourse D include:
Concourse D was built by Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and designed by Fentress Architects. Other key partners included Corgan (master architect for BNA Vision), I. C. Thomasson Associates Inc. (mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer), Smith Seckman Reid Inc. (commissioning agent) and S&ME (civil engineer/landscape designer).
The project represents more than 1 million hours of labor by more than 2,100 workers, 78 percent of whom were local. Additionally, the project included more than $55 million in contracts for small, minority and woman-owned business enterprises (SMWBEs) as part of BNA’s ongoing commitment to diversity and economic inclusion. Seventy certified firms participated in the project.
BNA Vision is dramatically remaking Nashville International Airport to meet future demand and existing needs. By 2023, projects completed under BNA Vision will include a larger central terminal, a state-of-the-art International Arrivals Facility, expanded central security checkpoint, an on-airport hotel, Concourse D, new ticketing and baggage claim space, top-to-bottom terminal renovation, a variety of new dining, retail and service amenities and a massive terminal parking garage complex.
The new LEED Silver certification is part of a larger sustainability focus for BNA Vision. The airport received Parksmart Bronze certification for Terminal Garage 2 in 2019, is pursuing certification for Terminal Garage 1 (which opened in June) and will seek this recognition for a third garage that will open in 2023. Additionally, BNA’s new airport administrative building that opened in November is a LEED-registered project, and BNA is a registered LEED Campus with several sustainability strategies integrated at the campus level.
This article was originally published by The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
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