Massive food distribution center, cold storage facility designed by Randall-Paulson Architects uses 100 percent renewable energy

Facility is first in the U.S. to be awarded LEED Gold certification

ROSWELL, GA --- A massive food distribution center in Ridgefield, Wash., designed by Randall-Paulson Architects of Roswell, Ga., and built by ARCO Design/Build Construction of Atlanta, Ga., is the first cold storage facility (top right photo) awarded the coveted LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as an energy-efficient and environmentally safe facility.

LEED---which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design---has established design and construction standards that result in energy efficient and environmentally safe facilities.

Michael B. Randall, co-founder and partner at Randall-Paulson Architects, explains that the 259,729 square foot United Natural Foods facility,(top right photo) which includes 54,000 square feet of refrigerated storage, freezers and a cold storage dock, is powered by 100 percent renewable energy, which reduces CO2 emissions more than four million pounds annually.

In addition, Randall-Paulson designed energy efficiency features that result in an energy savings of more than 30 percent over comparably-sized facilities with conventional energy plans.

Randall said Randall-Paulson Architects launched a ‘green’ campaign more than two years ago, providing incentives for its planners, architects, designers and engineers to qualify as USGBC LEED-AP professional accreditation.

“The USGBC’s LEED program will have a dramatic effect on improving the environment,” said Randall. “We wholeheartedly support the LEED program, as do many of our clients.”

For more information, contact

Caroline K. Slaten, CPSM, Business Development Manager, Randall-Paulson Architects 770-650-7558 x116; ckslaten@randallpaulson.com;

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com