The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Los Angeles International Airport's (LAX's) Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold accreditation. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. Instead of solely focusing on one building element, LEED comprehensively factors in all aspects of the construction that work together to create the best building possible. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has a longstanding commitment to advancing sustainability in the built environment and airport operations, as first conveyed in the Sustainability Vision and Principles LAWA adopted in 2007. This commitment was further bolstered in 2017 with the ratification of LAWA’s Sustainable Design and Construction Policy that dictates that all new building construction, major facility renovation projects, and non-building landside and airside projects be designed and built to achieve LEED Silver or higher.
“LAX’s transformation is all about creating efficient and pleasant experiences for our guests and these driving factors are being realized in ways that serve our community and the planet. Opening in 2024, our new ConRAC facility being recognized with LEED Gold accreditation demonstrates this,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “We’re building an airport that integrates leading-edge sustainability and technology so our modernization can continue to adapt and meet the very best guest service and environmentally conscious standards.”
The new ConRAC facility is an integral part of LAWA’s historic multi-billion-dollar Landside Access Modernization Program. By relocating rental car companies into one convenient location adjacent to the 405 freeway, as well as providing a direct connection to LAX’s Automated People Mover (APM) train system, the ConRAC will eliminate the approximately 3,200 daily shuttle trips alleviating traffic congestion on local streets and around the airport’s Central Terminal Area. The facility also features a Quick Turn Around (QTA) building, which allows for the light maintenance of vehicles like car washing, oil changes and tire rotation. The QTA building further helps to alleviate traffic congestion by keeping car care within the complex.
From day one, LAWA worked in close collaboration with LAX ConRAC Partners (LAXCP), the project design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) consortium. Together, they have positively impacted the local community by operating sustainably and balancing economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. Additionally, the project has created over 5,000 jobs and $200 million in wages for the local workforce.
The ConRAC facility’s native and drought-tolerant landscape, reclaimed water usage system and photovoltaic solar panel array integrated into the building’s façades, roofs and parking canopies are just a few deliberately designed elements that aided in the multi-billion public-private partnership (P3) facility’s design and operations meeting LEED Gold standards.
Utility and roadway improvements surrounding the complex and tenant interior fit-outs are currently underway at the facility, with project completion planned for 2024. Interested parties can learn more about LAX’s campus-wide transformation and subscribe for project updates at bit.ly/LAX-Transformation.
Project Team
- Developer: Fengate Asset Management and PCL Investments USA, LLC
- Design-Build Contractor: PCL Construction Services Inc.
- Designer of Record: PGAL, Inc. and AC Martin Partners
- Operation and Maintenance Provider: Johnson Controls, Inc.
- Quick Turn Around Manager: MVI Field Services, LLC
- Structural Engineer: Englekirk and IDS Group
- Civil Engineer: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. and PacRim Engineering, Inc.
- Mechanical and Plumbing Engineer: Syska Hennessy Group, Inc. and South Coast Eng. Group, Inc.
- Electrical Engineer: Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.
- Geotechnical Engineer: Geotechnical Professionals Inc. (GPI)
- Sustainability Consultant: ZC Sustainability (Zinner Consultants)
- IT, Communications and Security: Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.
- Wayfinding: Selbert Perkins Designs
- Landscape: RELM Studio
- Lighting Design: Lighting Design Alliance, Inc.
- Vertical Transportation: Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.
- Code Compliance: Jensen Hughes
- Fire Protection: Cosco Fire Protection
- Commissioning: P2S Inc.
