Sustainability
We do right by the dirt
Sustainability Initiatives
From land acquisition to development and operations management, VanTrust is dedicated to working with our clients to identify measures that reduce environmental impact. With a focus on positively impacting the environment, our team members and clients develop sustainability strategies through open communication, innovative thinking and a willingness to adapt. VanTrust uses the expertise of its LEED-accredited professionals from a variety of disciplines to incorporate sustainable strategies into decision-making.
At VanTrust, doing right by the dirt means recognizing that every decision has a cause-and-effect relationship with the communities and environments we serve. We are committed to fostering healthy communities and employing sustainable design as a best practice in projects we undertake.
Sustainability is not limited to development; for VanTrust, sustaining the communities in which we operate is a core value. Having the right people in the right places is the first step toward positively impacting the community. As a company, we believe that thriving communities require the involvement of passionate individuals.
On-site stormwater
capture & potable water
use reduction
Diversion of
construction waste
Recycled content
Energy cost reduction
Case Study
SkyCenter One, Tampa, FL
One of the most widely used global standards to recognize buildings that are efficient, cost-effective, and better for occupants and the environment is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), governed by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification.
VanTrust and its strategic partners were able to achieve this rating and more for the SkyCenter One building at Tampa International Airport. This 275,000-square-foot building directly connects to the airport via sky-walk and is the first platinum level LEED-certified new construction project in Tampa, Florida. The building achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
“Creating sustainable buildings is about more than achieving the lowest cost and fastest timeline – it requires each phase being met with collaboration, careful consideration and discipline,” said Marc Munago, Executive Vice President, VanTrust Florida. “Earning the LEED Platinum Certification is a reflection of the dedication and passion our team and all of our partners exemplified throughout the planning and development process.”
Reduced potable water
use vs baseline
Diversion of
construction waste
"This building is a testament to our family farmers & the sustainable practices they employ on their dairies each and every day. It's not a typical corporate office space, but it absolutely functions like one."
Rick Smith, President & CEO
of Dairy Farmers of America
Case Study
Dairy Farmers of America, Tampa, FL
The Dairy Farmers of America corporate headquarters building is approximately 111,000 square feet and received LEED Silver certification for energy efficient design, water use reduction, sustainable site selection development, responsible materials selection and waste management, and enhanced indoor environmental quality.
As the nation’s largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America wanted its new building to honor and support its 15,000 U.S. dairy farm owners. The company’s culture and agrarian roots guided every aspect of this building design.
The feature stair off the lobby features reclaimed wood treads. A single barn in southern Missouri provided nearly all of the 20,000 linear feet of reclaimed wood inside the building. The team was careful to preserve the wood in its natural state. It was wire brushed to remove residue before being sealed to protect the material, which included burn marks, rust, screw holes and saw marks to maintain its authenticity.
All fabrics are natural fiber wool that resemble modern interpretations of denim. The design reinforces DFA’s dependence on nature by blurring the lines between indoors and out.
