The 96,000-square-foot, $15 million structure is planned as a LEED-platinum building.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 started construction June 30 on the union’s new St. Louis headquarters.

The 96,000-square-foot, $15 million structure is planned as a LEED-platinum building.

“This new facility will help us remain on the cutting edge of technology,” said Local 36 President and Business Manager David C. Zimmermann. “It’s our duty to maintain and improve the industry that those before us have worked so hard to build, and this project shows our commitment to that purpose.”

Buildings certified as platinum under the U.S Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program represent some of the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable structures in the world, according to USGBC officials.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay congratulated the union for its commitment to the city.

“With this project, Local 36 joins the elite ranks of those with LEED-certified buildings in the region and shows an incredible amount of commitment to the city of St. Louis by not only creating jobs to complete this project, but by assuring that its skilled work force will receive the elite training needed to grow the industry in the future,” Slay said.

The building, which is expected to take about a year to complete, will incorporate such technologies as geothermal HVAC and rainwater collection and reuse.