The space for York – 12,000 square feet on the 41st floor – will serve as a pilot for the commercial interiors portion of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design program, better known as LEED. Several new materials and technologies will be used in York's offices.

The program recognizes businesses which use new technologies and materials that are durable and energy-efficient, and create a healthier work environment. It also rewards companies that make better use of water resources, and meet certain air-quality standards.

In addition to making use of several energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies, York's space will also contain a new floor system designed to allow air to flow throughout spaces faster and more evenly, reducing the demand on standard heating and air-conditioning systems.

LEED certification is based on a scoring system, which rewards points for such items as the use of environmentally-sound refrigerants in air conditioning systems, access to public transportation, the selection of energy-efficient lighting systems and their performance, and the use of emerging technologies. Points are also rewarded for companies that divert construction debris away from landfills and for the use of recycled materials.

York is one of 52 companies nationwide participating in the trial, which ran from July through December 2003. Once trials are completed, members of the USGBC will vote on the proposed standards. Voting is set to finish into April 2004, with the final standards being put in place by the summer.