March 27th, 2008 in Trends No Comments
This article shows how historic preservation and the latest in environmentally friendly technology can combine to serve as a workplace and as an educational center “where people can view the workings of ‘green’ building technology.” The author tells of the efforts taken to match the structure to the character of Placerville’s historic main street business district as well as the designs that the developers hope will make this building the first one of its type to be registered and certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. (more…)
February 7th, 2008 in Furniture No Comments
Applied Robotics Inc. Recently Made Some Green Choices With New Office Furniture That Includes Cubicle Panels Made With Plant Fiber Instead Of Fiberglass
This article informs readers about the green choices made by one company, Applied Robotics, when acquiring new furniture for its offices. It focuses on the new cubicle panels installed throughout the company that are manufactured by the HON company. Instead of using the usual fiberglass variants, these panels are made from a new composite material called “Nature Core” that is made primarily of a natural fiber called “kenaf.” (more…)
October 25th, 2007 in Green No Comments
On October 25 Canadian developers visited the University of Minnesota’s “Green Bulding North” event hosted by the Center for Sustainable Building Research and the Consulate General of Canada. They came to share their vision of a cutting-edge green building designed specifically for cold weather climates.
The 690,000 square foot 22-story Manitoba Hydro head office being built in Winnipeg will be 60 percent more energy efficient than a modern conventional building. It features a balanced geothermal heat pump system with ventilation provided naturally by a six-story indoor winter garden whose airflow system provides 100 percent fresh air 24/7 year round.
This article gives a background on the project and provides readers with a fact sheet of innovative design elements that Manitoba Hydro executives hope will earn them LEED gold certification. Given the similar climate challenges, this Winnipeg building could serve as a model for future offices construction in cold-weather elements.
Source: U.S. Newswire (Washington), Oct 25, 2007
September 18th, 2007 in On the Record No Comments
Target Commercial Interiors recently teamed up with the American Lung Association of Minnesota to help the nonprofit complete a healthy design remodel of its St. Paul headquarters, a 17,000 square foot office building, which is home to 25 full-time employees and frequented by more than 1,000 volunteers and visitors each week.
“Raising the standard for healthier indoor environments has been a mainstay of the Lung Association’s mission since 1992,” noted Penny Gottier Fena, executive director of the American Lung Association of Minnesota. “Thanks to corporate partners like Target Commercial Interiors, our headquarters will be healthier and use significantly less energy than before the remodel, cutting our utility bills in half, and leaving more core dollars to support programs and staff.”
ALAMN’s remodel will be the first in Minnesota to qualify for the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold ranking, and only the 10th in the nation to earn this status. All products used in this project were selected to be sustainable, minimize indoor air pollution and asthma/allergy triggers, and to be as energy-efficient as possible.
In providing commercial interior design services and products to meet LEED gold certification, Target Commercial Interiors is helping ALAMN offer a healthier work environment for its many employees and volunteers. “This healthy design remodel helps the Lung Association live our values,” said Fena. “We now have a nicer looking and healthier venue for our trainings for tobacco control, asthma education, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease support groups and development activities.”
Funded entirely by a $1.2 million federal grant from the Health Services and Resources Administration and by gifts-in-kind from corporate partners like Target Commercial Interiors, the project serves as an example and teaching tool for others considering a remodel of a commercial building. All major work on the project, which began in July 2007, was completed in early October.
ALAMN is planning a Grand Reopening and Dedication on November 14, 2007
