ArmyGreen By: Melissa Collins
Fort Bragg construction gives new meaning to a familiar color.
S 36 | Accents • 2011 - 2012
ustainability has gotten a bad rap over the years. In the same way that recycling was once dismissed as a tree-hugging hobby, environmentally-friendly construction often invites skepticism. Naysayers cite increased expense and hard-to-measure value as reasons against reconstructing the status quo. However, thanks to the Army, sus- tainable practices are increasing in popularity in our area.
In 2006, the Army transitioned to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) system of rating green buildings on a voluntary basis and as of 2013, all new installa- tion buildings must receive LEED Silver certifications. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision to move U.S. Army Forces Com-
mand (FORSCOM) and U.S. Army Reserves Command (USARC) has been a long time com- ing. Sometimes it seemed the move would never see fruition. All the while, on the corner of Randolph and Knox, the new FORSOM/USARC headquarters was steadily growing—one thin brick at a time.
