This month the Transamerica Pyramid, aka the most famous building in San Francisco, is now one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the United States and has achieved a LEED-Gold certification.

Green building is really taking off in San Francisco and with new aggressive green building regulations in place for new construction and large retro-fits in the city this action is the largest in the nation. This year has also brought a five-fold increase of LEED certified square footage in San Fran and now has more green buildings then New York or Los Angeles.

Amplifying the great work already happening in San Francisco with energy, water efficiency, and zero waste initiatives, the Task Force in the city recommends that commercial buildings adopt a voluntary goal: cut total energy use in existing commercial buildings 50 percent by 2030.

HALL Wines recently announced that it has received theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for its Napa Valley St. Helena winery, becoming the first winery in California to be distinguished as a Gold certified facility by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Green Building Rating System.

“The certification of HALL Wines not only marks a momentous occasion for the wine industry of California, but demonstrates how all industries can choose to be solvers of our collective environmental challenges,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The HALL Wines project efficiently uses natural resources, makes an immediate positive impact on our planet and as a business leader, can expect to reap financial benefits over the life cycle of the building.”

Owner and Vintner of HALL Wines, Kathryn Hall, and President Mike Reynolds, made it their mission to become the leader in earth-friendly California wine, resulting in the design of their new St. Helena facility in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.