REI Round Rock Second Gen Green Store To Use 48% Less Energy

by Preston Koerner

Mounting on the green building success of their previous stores, including the green Boulder REI we wrote about previously, REI today opens the doors to its second generation of green prototype store in Round Rock, Texas. The Texas store is projected to consume 48% less energy than a typical store and generate a portion of its power from a solar panel installation, building integrated photovoltaics, and a solar hot water system. After that, Round Rock will rely on Solatubes to displace a portion of articifial lighting and the purchase of green power generated from biomass digesters.

This second gen green store was built with highly efficient building insulation, efficient mechanical equipment and controls, a cool roof designed to reflect the sun’s heat, and water-efficient plumbing that reduces water usage by 30 percent.

Designed in partnership with Gensler, Round Rock incorporates extensive sustainable and recycled materials, including sunflower seed husks and recycled tennis shoes. It’s the second company store to be built under the USGBC’s LEED Retail pilot program. After studying both the Boulder and this store, REI will use the research for a third prototype and for application in other stores nationwide.