WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?Eco-DividendsA verdant, tree-filled office park, extensive walking and biking trails, employee showering facilities, eco-friendly and low-VOC interior furnishings, daylit interiors . . . sound like a workplace that's too good to be true? Welcome to the new headquarters for Midland Loan in Overland Park, KS, designed by CDFM2 Architecture Inc. According to Chris DeVolder, AIA, a LEED™ Accredited Professional and associate with CDFM2, materials concerns directed the project team's evaluation of sites for Midland's headquarters relocation. Guided by the commitment to sustainable building by its parent company, PNC Financial Services Group Inc., the team chose to lease 120,000 square feet of space in an existing building, thus significantly reducing the amount of construction materials and infrastructure costs.DeVolder notes that green materials are evident throughout the building: 100-percent recyclable carpet tile, domestic and recycled wood products, local and regional materials, rapidly renewable flooring and resources, such as bamboo flooring, and recycled content fabrics. Midland reports that its new headquarters has not only positively affected corporate culture by reducing impact on the environment, but employees laud the amenities as a benefit to productivity.
