The new Boise Whole Foods Market, which opened in November, has been named a winner in the 2013 Boise Building Excellence Awards in the Best Sustainable Projects category.

Photo courtesy of CSHQA

Sustainable elements of the new grocery store and its River Room pub include efficient light fixtures and abundant natural light, which reduces energy consumption.

Hosted annually by the city of Boise, the awards feature recently built new projects and renovations that demonstrate good design and leadership in sustainability, safety and accessibility. The new store was designed by Boise architects CSHQA. Its green elements include:

• A permeable paving system integrated into the store’s parking that manages all stormwater for the 5.77-acre site

• Low-water, native and adaptive plants that reduce landscaping water and maintenance requirements

• Efficient light fixtures and abundant natural light that reduce energy consumption

• Heat reclamation that utilizes excess heat from refrigeration systems

• Highly efficient refrigeration and HVAC systems that reduce energy loads

• Highly durable materials used throughout and a large proportion of materials sourced within 500 miles of the site

• Ample use of reclaimed and recycled materials

• Local vendors provided virtually all construction labor and local artists were employed for finishing touches throughout the store.

Boise Mayor Dave Bieter presented the awards at the monthly BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) luncheon meeting on May 15. The Boise Whole Foods store was previously awarded Two Green Globes by the Green Building Initiative. Since 2008 five other Whole Foods stores designed by CSHQA have also earned Green Globes awards.