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MONROE, Mich. — La-Z-Boy has been awarded LEED Silver Certification for its new world headquarters here.
The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.
The 200,000-square-foot headquarters was completed in March in partnership with contractor Rudolph/Libbe Inc. of the Rudolph Libbe Group. The building — which was built to the latest energy-efficient standards — features a three-story, glassed-in lobby with natural lighting and a view of an oak savannah.
The building occupies about 40 acres of a 120-acre site. The remaining 80 acres, which include an endangered oak savanna ecosystem, have been left untouched as a nature preserve.
“We are honored that our new world headquarters is viewed as an innovative building project that is helping drive the green building movement,” said Kurt Darrow, chairman, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy. “Acting with integrity and being socially responsible are keys to our core vision and values; and we carry our corporate responsibility not only through our world headquarters, but through our manufacturing facilities across the country.”
The Green Building Council said La-Z-Boy achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Some of the notable features include:
Fabric Duct Sox under the floor for air distribution. DIRTt (Doing It Right This Time) demountable, sustainable wall systems that allow work surfaces, overhead cabinets and displays to be mounted seamlessly off surfaces, without damage. Prodema and an Oko skin exterior rain screen panel system. Continuous exterior spray foam insulation/vapor barrier. Raised roof patio system terraces. Exterior aluminum screens on the entry facade to filter light before it reaches the glass. Electronic room scheduling devices used in formal conference rooms and informal gathering spaces. Programmable solar shades on all windows controlled by sun sensors on the roof. Many energy-efficient data center features, including the first US-manufactured Kyoto air handling units which were employed to service the data center. A geothermal system with 252 wells, 400-feet deep through bedrock. Equipment, lights and security systems that can be adjusted by facilities management using mobile devices. Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the facility.
“Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair of the Green Building Council. “The La-Z-Boy world headquarters project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come.”
