| ATLANTA - Another Hardin Construction Company | | | | and we congratulate Darden for this milestone |
| project has earned certification for Leadership in | | | | achievement," said Hardin President Bill Pinto. "Hardin is |
| Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New | | | | honored to have been selected for the project and |
| Construction. | | | | to have played a role in Darden's sustainability |
| The new corporate headquarters building for Darden | | | | efforts." |
| Restaurants, in Orlando, Florida, was recently | | | | Hardin Construction is known for its expertise in |
| awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green | | | | green building and for obtaining LEED certifications for |
| Building Council (USGBC). | | | | its clients. Hardin is ranked by Southeast Construction |
| The 469,000-square-foot Darden facility is the largest | | | | magazine among the top 10 in the southeast in green |
| LEED Gold (new construction) building in Florida.The | | | | building. Hardin has also received several Urban Land |
| project exceeded the threshold for Gold certification | | | | Institute Development of Excellence Awards. The |
| by two points. | | | | company's LEED-certified projects include renovation |
| USGBC is the nation's leading evaluator of | | | | of Hardin's own six-story headquarters building in |
| environmentally sustainable buildings. LEED is a | | | | Atlanta, which is LEED Gold certified, as well as: |
| third-party certification program and the nationally | | | | • Arthur M. Blank Family Office,the first LEED Gold |
| accepted benchmark for the design, construction and | | | | certified building in Georgia and the first LEED Gold |
| operation of high-performance green buildings. USGBC | | | | certified office building in the southeast. |
| LEED certification levels are Certified, Silver, Gold and | | | | • 171 17th Street at Atlantic Stationin Atlanta, the |
| Platinum. | | | | first LEED Silver-Core and Shell certified high-rise |
| Darden's headquarters, which opened last September, | | | | building in the world and the first high-rise office |
| is among 20 Hardin-built projects that have achieved | | | | building in Georgia to receive any LEED certification. |
| or are pursuing LEED certification. Nearly 30 percent | | | | • Enotah Hall at Young Harris College, a student |
| of Hardin's operations staff members are LEED | | | | residence featuring Geothermal heating and cooling, |
| Accredited Professionals. | | | | and the first higher educational building in North |
| "Hardin Construction Company shares Darden | | | | Georgia to achieve LEED Silver certification. |
| Restaurants' commitment to protecting and | | | | • Atlanta Botanical Garden Visitor Center and |
| enhancing the communities where we do business, | | | | Parking Facility,which achieved LEED Gold certification. |