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Kimball Showroom Gets Gold

“Leading by example is central to Kimball's corporate philosophy,” says executive vice president Dan Miller.

Meaghan O'Neill -- Interior Design, 12/27/2005 12:00:00 AM

Office furniture and electronics manufacturer Kimball International has a new feather to stick in its cap: Its new flagship showroom, located in Jasper, Indiana, was recently awarded Gold level LEED-CI certification for environmentally responsible design from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for Commercial Interiors recognizes high-performance eco-sensitive interiors that are healthy and energy efficient. LEED-CI offers four levels of certification, with gold being the penultimate rating.

Partnering with TVS Interiors, which has offices in Chicago and Atlanta, Kimball completely renovated the existing 35,500-square-foot showroom. The space now highlights Kimball's history and houses the company's individual furniture brand showrooms, which include Kimball Office, National, and Kimball Hospitality.

To meet LEED-CI standards, the team recycled more than 96 percent of the project's waste materials, carefully dismantling wood trims, ceiling tiles and grids, and light fixtures. The firm then donated these items within the local community, thereby keeping them out of the landfill. Additionally, the design team made use of local, recycled, and rapidly renewable materials; optimized natural light; and minimized volatile organic compounds by specifying eco-smart paints, adhesives, carpets, and composite wood materials. They then furnished interiors with Kimball’s Greenguard-certified furniture. For the roof, a white, reflective material was used in order to reduce heat island effect, while low-flow plumbing reduces water usage.

According to Carlie Bullock-Jones, sustainable design team leader for TVS and a member of the USGBC's Core Committee for the LEED-CI program, Kimball is the first company in Indiana to win LEED-CI certification.

"Concern for our environment and leading by example is central to Kimball's corporate philosophy,” says Dan Miller, executive vice-president of Kimball International and president of the manufacturer's furniture department. “This achievement concretely demonstrates how we help our clients realize their goals for the environment and LEED-CI certification."