Herman Miller's Atlanta National Design Center (NDC) is a 15,172-square-foot resource center for the design community and also serves as a regional office for the company. It is designed to express Herman Miller's design philosophy: performance, sustainability, attention to detail, and the honest use of materials.
Located in a historic 1920 factory, the project takes maximum advantage of the structure's existing finishes, open plan and abundant natural light. Layered from front to back, visitors are welcomed in a hosting area, containing
reception and café. A "discovery zone" of free-standing conference rooms held back from the brick perimeter walls veils the main product display, which is designed as a flexible, open workspace.
As Herman Miller moves along its continual "path toward environmental stewardship," this newly opened design center has gained the coveted LEED® Gold certification in the Commercial Interiors category (LEED-CI).
The Atlanta NDC is designed to take full advantage of natural light Sandblasted and clear glazing creates levels of privacy and connection, ensuring that light and outside views are always available. The use of daylight and high-efficiency fixtures reduces lighting density power to 57 percent below LEED standards. Lighting is controlled through local individual room and workstation controls, as well as daylight and occupancy sensors. Materials are treated in a direct, yet sophisticated manner, creating a dialogue between architecture and furniture.
Krueck & Sexton Architects of Chicago provided design services for the Atlanta NDC and has done so for most of Herman Miller's LEED projects since 2000.
"You don't even need to turn on the lights throughout much of the space," says Rico Cedro, AIA, LEED AP, director of sustainable design for Krueck & Sexton. Cedro also notes that more than 70 percent of the total equipment and appliance wattage is Energy Star rated, and all of the Atlanta National Design Center's electric power originates from Green-e sustainable sources.
The space was designed to allow customers, architects and designers to see and experience the array of choices offered by Herman Miller, including the company's award-winning contract office furniture products.
"We want our customers to be inspired by this facility," says Ray Kennedy, director of corporate merchandising, Herman Miller. "More than 15 percent of the Atlanta NDC's material value is recycled content, including a significant proportion contributed by Herman Miller and Geiger products. These steps underscore our commitment to sustainable design and environmental stewardship."
The Atlanta NDC, which opened in February 2007, is the fourth Herman Miller NDC in the United States to receive LEED certification. The Washington, D.C., NDC received Gold certification in August 2005; the Dallas NDC received Silver in March 2006; and the New York NDC received Gold certification in October 2006.
#3 Herman Miller's National Design Center
