Herman Miller Facility Earns LEED-CI Gold

Over 80 percent of remaining construction material was recovered and recycled.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 11/2/2006

Herman Miller has just received an industry first from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The furniture manufacturer’s National Design Center, designed by architecture firm Krueck and Sexton, is New York City’s first LEED Gold Facility in the Commercial Interiors category.

The 15,400-square-foot sustainable facility, located on the 17th floor of 1177 Avenue of the Americas, earned kudos for water conservation, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible materials. Lo-flow fixtures shave water consumption by nearly 40 percent, electrical power is supplied by 100 percent certified renewable energy sources, and over 20 percent of the project’s material value is recycled content. In addition, over 80 percent of remaining construction material was recovered and recycled. With its green design plan, the Center earned a total of 37 credit points from the USGBC.

“Carbon dioxide emissions and water conservation are issues of regional, city and state importance,” notes Rico Cedro, director of sustainable design for Krueck and Sexton. “We wanted the National Design Center to demonstrate leadership in these areas.”

Visitors to the center, which opened in June, are privy to an array of Herman Miller product offers. Offices also house the manufacturer’s New York sales team.