Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2021) – AECOM, the world’s premier infrastructure consulting firm, today announced the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial has achieved U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, exceeding the project’s Silver certification goal. AECOM designed the memorial in a joint venture with Gehry Partners. It opened to the public last fall and features commemorative elements to honor the 34th President of the United States. Additional project partners include Clark Construction, Gilbane, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), and the General Services Administration (GSA).

“We are grateful for the commitment of the entire team, Gehry Partners, AECOM, Clark, Gilbane, NPS, and GSA, to make LEED certification a goal for the memorial,” said Victoria Tigwell, deputy executive director of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. “This is a tremendous achievement and we are pleased to receive this formal recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council.”

A key element that contributed to LEED Gold certification is the memorial’s collection and reuse of rainwater. Through a coordinated effort, the project team was able to design a 97,000-gallon cistern that allows for a 97% reduction in potable water while maintaining the landscape design, greatly reducing the burden on Washington D.C.’s water supply while complying with the city’s stringent stormwater regulations.

“We are thrilled to have exceeded our initial goal to achieve LEED Gold certification. Our team and partners worked tirelessly on reaching or exceeding our targets, overcoming challenges and implementing innovative solutions,” said Kim Lombard, LEED fellow and senior sustainability leader with AECOM. “From the start, we were honored to be a part of bringing this memorial to life and are so proud the public is able to enjoy and appreciate our hard work, making it a special part of Washington D.C.’s fabric.”

Photo © Alan Karchmer

During the memorial’s construction, careful consideration was given to managing waste by diverting 92% of construction waste from area landfills. Purchased building materials contained 14% recycled content and 27% of materials were acquired locally. Additional elements that allowed it to achieve LEED Gold include the site’s access to public transit and energy efficient lighting, with indoor spaces taking advantage of natural daylight.

“Achieving LEED certification is more than just implementing sustainable practices, it represents a commitment to improving communities,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council. “LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize our buildings and cities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green and resilient spaces. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is part of that transformative effort and we applaud the leadership of all those involved and their work to support that mission.”

Washington, D.C. leads the nation in LEED green building per capita due to its progressive green building policies and commitment to sustainability from both the public and private sectors. The memorial contributes to the district’s ongoing sustainability efforts and work to maintain its position as a green building leader.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission was created by Congress in 1999 by Public Law 106-79. The Commission’s congressional mandate was to establish an appropriate, permanent national memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower. The enabling legislation dictated that a memorial would be created to perpetuate Eisenhower’s memory and his contribution as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II and as the 34th President of the United States.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s premier infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical expertise and innovation, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $13.2 billion in fiscal year 2020. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.

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Rachel Weiss, Senior Communications Manager
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