Green Building Only Construction Sector Expecting Leap in Growth 

YWS Architects practices what it preaches.

The 8-year-old Las Vegas firm not only specializes in ecoconscious architecture, it also works in a sustainable office building at 5005 W. Patrick Lane. The 9,500-square-foot structure embodies the company's design ethos.

"One of the goals was to create a fun, cool place to work," said YWS principal and co-founder Thomas Wucherer, who was part of the original design team for Bellagio. "It's important to have a sustainable work environment. It makes for a happier, healthier, more productive workplace that gives our employees a strong sense of community pride." 

The YWS-designed building, on 0.72 acres, is undergoing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification -- the country's most recognized seal of approval for green building. The LEED rating system awards points for energy use, water conservation, and air quality, among other things. The more points, the higher the rating, which goes from a basic certification up to Silver, Gold and Platinum.

The YWS building, which seeks a Gold certification, features 32 roof-mounted photovoltaic panels that reduce energy use by one-third over a similarly-sized, traditional office. There is also natural daylight, low-flow plumbing fixtures, light-emitting diode light bulbs, cork flooring, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Source: Las Vegas Business Press