Gruskin Group™ Developed Leed® Prototype For New Verizon Wireless Store In Casper, WY

Nov. 11, 2009 - PRLog -- Springfield, NJ, and Casper, WY, (November 11, 2009) --- Verizon Wireless’s first store to earn LEED® certification for commercial interiors recently opened for business in the Eastridge Mall Shopping Center in Casper, Wyoming. Gruskin Group™, an integrated design firm, developed Verizon Wireless’ “green” store design by adapting Verizon’s “Evolution” store prototype to an existing retail tenant space at the Casper store location to create a retail version of their green commercial interior projects.

Specifically, Gruskin Group worked with Verizon Wireless’s internal corporate design team, as well as Paladino and Company, the team’s sustainability consultant, to design the 3,479 SF Casper store with the goal of achieving a LEED Silver rating.  The store was awarded a LEED Gold certification, however, on October 16, 2009.

“We evaluated every material that went into the prototype, lighting design, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing fixtures, construction process, as well as the sourcing of all building materials, with the goal of developing a dynamic retail environment that reduces its impact on the environment,” explained Kenneth A. Gruskin, principal and founder of Gruskin Group.  “Our intent was to demonstrate that ‘green’ stores could be built without significantly increasing the cost of the project, or impacting the customer experience or look and feel of the Verizon Wireless brand.”

The store is the first LEED certified retail store in Casper, and it is one of only six LEED certified projects in Wyoming.  Among the store’s key energy efficient and environmentally-conscious features are water and lighting power savings; the diversion of construction waste from landfills; Verizon Wireless’ longtime “Hopeline” program which recycles unwanted wireless phones and equipment and reduces e-waste from entering landfills; recycled content in building materials; regionally manufactured materials; use of Energy Star equipment and appliances; improved indoor air quality due to reduced VOC paints, as well as “green” cleaning products, carpeting and systems furniture; and a green education program conducted by Verizon Wireless.  

The Project Team
Design/Architecture:  Gruskin Group™ (Gruskin Architecture + Design, P.C.)  
Architect:  Kenneth A. Gruskin, AIA, PP, CID
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer:  Henderson Engineers Inc.
Sustainability Consultant/Commissioning Agent:  Paladino and Company
General Contractor:  Scheiner Commercial Group, Inc.
Photographer:  Kenneth A. Gruskin AIA, PP, CID

About Gruskin Group™

Gruskin Group™ is an integrated design firm that builds unified brand experiences through architecture, brand development, visual communications, web/interactive, industrial design, interior design, strategic consulting, and sustainable design.  

Ranked by DDi magazine as one of the top 20 retail design firms in the U.S., as well as one of New Jersey’s top architecture firms by NJBiz, Gruskin Group was named to the Inc. 5000 in 2009.  The firm’s and its professionals’ award-winning work has been recognized by AIA, the Retail Design Institute, New York Ad Club, New Jersey Ad Club, ASID, Graphis, and the Association of Graphic Communications.    

For additional information, visit www.gruskingroup.com.

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About Gruskin Group™

Gruskin Group™ is an integrated design firm that builds unified brand experiences through architecture, brand development, visual communications, web/interactive, industrial design, interior design, strategic consulting, and sustainable design. Ranked by DDi magazine as one of the top 20 retail design firms in the U.S., as well as one of New Jersey’s top architecture firms by NJBiz, Gruskin Group was named to the Inc. 5000 in 2009. The firm’s and its professionals’ award-winning work has been recognized by AIA, the Retail Design Institute, New York Ad Club, New Jersey Ad Club, ASID, Graphis, and the Association of Graphic Communications. For additional information, visit www.gruskingroup.com.