CapitalNews9.com

Saturday, November 21, 2009   47º F

Updated 06/29/2008 11:32 AM

Local business goes green

By: Web Staff

ALBANY, N.Y. -- From the minute you walk into Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness in Albany, you feel it. Owner Denise DuBois did something that is becoming more and more popular across the country. She decided to build her new spa completely "green" from floor to ceiling.

"Our philosophy has always been about the wellness components. What better way to do that then to provide it in an environment that supports that as well," DuBois said.

Her decision to go green started about two years. DuBois wanted to expand her current spa and ended up moving into the old Calico Corners building on Wolf Road. DuBois says she wanted to create a space that was eco-friendly the minute you drive in.

"The adhesives for the wallpaper. The grout for the tile. The paint choices are low VOC, the wallpaper is a low VOC. Every detail, the building supplies, what we could, we did use recyclable, renewable and sustainable materials," said DuBois.

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From the recycled tires used to make the flooring in the entrance way to the cork flooring being used in the glass-ceiling serenity room, you are getting a green experience. Another big part of the green initiative is the indoor air quality. Here it is controlled through five different zones, something DuBois says makes it much easier on people who have asthma. Also, some of the appliances installed, like the high efficiency front loading washing machines, were bought right here in the Capital Region.

So does it cost a lot of green to go green? DuBois isn't saying exactly how much she spent, but does say it is a costly process.

With the help of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's new construction and Green Buildings Program, DuBois was able to secure over $30,000 in grant money to make it happen.

"The thing that is exciting about Complexions, they are setting the example for other spas. The way I understand it, Complexions is looked at among other spas that want to embrace these features and become green," said Christopher Reohr, NYSERDA Senior Project Manager.

Dubois is looking to become an official green spa certified with the U.S. Green Building Council. She is also working toward LEED Gold Level Certification.