Whole Foods

Whole Foods Co-op

Legacy Projects: +

Project Type: New Retail Co-op and Restaurant  Duluth, Minn. 

Client: Whole Foods Co-op 

Award: LEED Certified

www.LHBcorp.com 

LHB provided architecture and engineering planning, design, energy modeling and targeted LEED consulting services to the Whole Foods Co-op for their new retail store and deli restaurant. The Co-op chose to remodel an existing restaurant facility to accommodate their growing membership and needs for a larger facility. 

Design included many high performance attributes that supported the Co-op’s environmental philosophy and targeted LEED certification for the building. 

High Performance elements include: 

– Sustainable Sites: 

• Reused existing site and building 
• Located on busline 
• Bike racks and shower provided for staff 
• White roof to reduce heat island effect 
• Light pollution reduction 

– Water Efficiency: 

• Water efficient landscaping and native plantings 
• No potable water use/no irrigation 

– Energy and Atmosphere: 

• Building shell remodeled to reduce energy needs 
• Photovoltaic array installed 
• Green Power is used 

Materials and Resources: 

• Reuse of almost 90% of existing building 
• Construction waste is recycled/less landfilled 
• Deconstruction utilized 
• Recycled content and rapidly renewable resources used 
• Regional materials specified 

– Indoor Environmental Quality: 

• CO2 monitoring 
• Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) materials/adhesives 
• Indoor chemical and pollutant source control 
• Zero exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke 
• Daylighting in retail space, views to outside 

The new space has a dining area with views of Lake Superior, as well as an expanded deli.  Other features include:  an information desk, a service elevator, increased parking, a delivery truck dock, five-foot wide aisles, spaces for an outdoor farmer’s market, and a teaching kitchen/classroom.