Saint-Gobain recently announced that its new North American corporate headquarters has received LEED Platinum certification for both commercial interiors and core and shell, as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The headquarters’ sustainable design places equal value on environmental sustainability, employee wellbeing and comfort. In doing so, the building is now a dynamic showcase for Saint-Gobain and its largest construction brand, CertainTeed Corp. After an 18-month renovation to transform the long-dormant site, located in Malvern, Pa., the 277,000-sq-ft building opened on October 15, 2015, the anniversary of Saint-Gobain’s founding.

“With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC’s vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” said John Crowe, president and CEO. “That vision connects deeply with our values at Saint-Gobain and reinforces the purpose of our new headquarters, which is to honor the past accomplishments of 14 generations of employees, and invigorate today’s employees who uphold Saint-Gobain’s rich heritage of improving the built environment and driving the green building movement.”

Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed’s headquarters is a sustainable workplace that maximizes the comfort and health of employees through the use of a wide range of the company’s building materials that improve air quality, moisture management, acoustics, energy efficiency, thermal management and ergonomics. The usage of more than 50 products from its portfolio has created a “living laboratory,” where the company’s research team can measure the benefits that its products provide to the real workplace. The design of the North American headquarters has also changed how employees collaborate, in that the interior design minimizes barriers between newly co-located groups with flexible configurations to encourage collaboration and inspire creativity. With open-concept office spaces, 116 collaborative spaces, a gourmet cafeteria and other food and beverage spaces, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, a natural pond, a fountain installation and 1.3 miles of walking trails, the headquarters is raising the bar for workplaces and the green building movement.

“Saint-Gobain’s LEED Platinum certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair of the USGBC. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed serve as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish.”

LEED certification of the Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed North American headquarters was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the surrounding environment and building complex itself. In an effort to significantly reduce the number of miles employees travel to and from the campus, as well as improve the environment, the company is providing bicycle storage facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and preferred parking for low-emission/fuel-efficient vehicles and carpools. In addition, a free shuttle service to and from the nearby Paoli Station, which services Amtrak and SEPTA trains, is available for employees who choose to commute from Center City, Philadelphia, and other surrounding areas.

One of the main priorities of the project was to achieve superior energy savings. Through 3D computer simulation energy modeling, the building anticipates 30% energy cost savings when compared to a typical code-compliant office building. Minimizing external loads is achieved through improved roof and wall performance, along with the electronically tintable dynamic glazing SageGlass. Daylight sensors are located along the perimeter of the building to measure incoming daylight levels and modulate the glass transmittance according to interior needs. SageGlass provides beneficial daylighting and views to the exterior while reducing uncomfortable glare and solar heat gain. Minimizing internal loads is achieved through the specification of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout, as well as Energy Star equipment and appliances throughout the facility. Overall lighting power density is reduced over 40% below ASHRAE requirements.

Although the latest LEED v4 was not available at the time of planning the headquarters, Saint-Gobain recognized that many aspects of v4 are applied in the building through the work of its Environmental Health & Safety teams. Specifically, Saint-Gobain pursued select credits under the Innovation in Design category by providing details on environmental product declarations, health product declarations and a corporate sustainability report, all of which demonstrate the company’s commitment to product transparency and contribute to LEED v4.

For more information, visit www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com.