The Hannaford Grocery Store in Augusta, Maine by Next Phase Studios + WBRC established a new global benchmark as the first supermarket to achieve LEED for Retail Platinum certification, demonstrating how retail environments can dramatically reduce environmental impact while enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

Sustainability Consulting Role: Led comprehensive sustainability strategy development and implementation for this 50,000-square-foot pioneering retail facility. Provided integrated design assistance including energy modeling, daylighting analysis, water conservation strategies, green roof design integration, and renewable energy system optimization. Facilitated the LEED Platinum certification process through documentation management, technical analysis, and innovative credit interpretation. Served as the sustainability laboratory coordinator to identify, test, and evaluate advanced green technologies for potential broader implementation across the Hannaford chain. (Work performed while at Fore Solutions/Thornton Tomasetti)

Climate-Positive Solutions Delivered:

• GreenChill refrigeration system reducing refrigerant use by 50%

• Geothermal well system for building temperature regulation

• Rooftop solar PV array for on-site renewable energy generation

• Comprehensive daylighting strategy with solar tubes and light shelves

• Green roof with native, drought-resistant plantings

• Ice-less seafood display cases

• Enclosed refrigeration cases with motion-sensor LED lighting

• Low-flow water fixtures throughout the facility

Performance Outcomes:

• World's first LEED for Retail Platinum certification

• 43% reduction in energy use compared to conventional supermarkets

• 30% reduction in water consumption

• 95% of construction waste diverted from landfills

• 50% energy cost savings over typical supermarkets of comparable size

• Environmental education displays throughout store for customer awareness

• Incubator facility for testing and evaluating sustainability technologies for broader implementation