The USGBC membership has developed the LEED Green Building Rating System™, a nationally recognized system for constructing high performance buildings that are environmentally sound. Contractors and designers participate in LEED voluntarily. MH has recently been notified that the Peabody School addition is the first LEED-NC commercial project in the Charlottesville area.

Green design incorporates design and construction practices that reduce a building's negative impact on the outdoor environment, while making the indoor environment safer and healthier. These practices focus on five broad areas:

• Sustainable site planning
• Safeguarding water and improving water efficiency
• Energy efficiency
• Conservation of materials and resources
• Indoor environmental quality

Martin Horn has also recently purchased a rolloff truck and several dumpsters so we can streamline the waste management part of our projects. Any cost savings will then be passed on to our clients.
Half of the new dumpsters are "green" -- literally - and will be used for recycled materials.

At Martin Horn, we believe in our environment and in doing what we can to make our community a better place.