As a manufacturer of commercial office furniture, what better way to highlight your commitment to sustainable design than by showcasing your products in a LEED-Gold facility?
Designed by Huntsman Architectural Group, Kimball Office’s 5,000-square-foot San Francisco showroom reinforces the company’s nearly half-century heritage of environmental stewardship. Overall, the showroom received 34 points from the USGBC, most notably for its water conservation, energy efficiency, use of environmentally responsible materials, and indoor air quality.
“This space mirrors the environmental initiatives unfolding in the Bay area,” says Jeff Fenwick, vice president and general manager, Kimball Office. “Green building, reduced carbon emissions, zero waste, water conservation, and energy efficiency are issues of regional, state and national importance. We wanted our San Francisco showroom to demonstrate measurable leadership in these areas, as well as a substantial commitment to this city’s and all cities’ long-term well-being.”
The design team, led by Huntsman design principal, Mark Harbick, and design director, Bill Puentz, installed innovative green features such as a water recycling system and low-flow fixtures that reduce water consumption by 76 percent; energy-efficient lighting, office equipment and appliances that use 20 percent less electricity; and architectural wood elements that are 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council-certified.
For the showroom’s dramatic floor, the team used reclaimed oak stair posts and baked them to achieve a rich dark finish, creating a unique architectural detail that reflects Kimball Office’s wood legacy.
Other green attributes of the showroom’s design and construction include:
- Keeping 94 percent of construction waste out of landfills
- Using locally manufactured, recycled and rapidly renewable materials where possible
- Employing multiple measures to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, including daylighting controls that react to the needs of the space and availability of natural light
- Sharing the project as part of an educational program to give clients insight into sustainable building design and solutions to commonly experienced renovation problems
The San Francisco showroom is the seventh Kimball Office facility to receive LEED certification, joining its Jasper showroom (Gold); Atlanta and Chicago showrooms (Silver); New York showroom (Certified); Corporate Headquarters (Silver); and R&D team rooms (Certified).
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