FOWARA’s office building has attained LEED® Gold certification, as so designated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The ABC of Georgia Chapter is the first to achieve Gold status among ABC chapters across the nation.

The 8,000 sq. ft. structure, originally constructed in the 1970s, was completely gutted to the frame, and underwent extensive exterior façade renovations, major interior renovations, and cosmetic landscaping and hardscape improvements. 

To achieve LEED Gold cerification, ABC installed water-efficient toilets and faucets as well as energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, which reduced water use by 43% and energy use by 38%. The air is filtered through MERV 13 filters, and the flooring, paint and cabinets do not contain toxic VOC's (volatile organic compounds). A new roof, with a high SRI (solar reflective index) value, reflects light and emits heat to reduce heat island effects. Even outdoors, 30% of the landscape area is covered with river rock and cobblestone, eliminating the need for an irrigation system. The project earned exemplary performance credits by exceeding minimum requirements for furniture re-use and regionally manufactured and extracted materials.