DNV opens new "GREEN" US Headquarters in Katy, TX

[Sidney Vianna]

http://www.dnv.com/press_area/press_...artersinus.asp

HOUSTON – DNV moves North American headquarters to new eco-friendly facility to reduce carbon footprint and provide cutting edge, healthy work environment.

DNV today announced the formal opening of its new 90,000 square-foot eco-friendly building in Katy, Tex., that will house many of the global organization’s North American businesses. The new facility is another step in DNV’s increasing presence in US and Canada, with diverse business offerings in vital markets such as Energy, Healthcare, Climate Change, Food Safety, Maritime and Transportation.
Through meticulous planning and careful execution, DNV’s new Houston-area headquarters are designed to meet Gold Level LEED certification. LEED -- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is the national standard for green buildings. DNV is in the final phases of LEED certification for both the shell and the interior of the new building.
“This whole project is driven by our corporate values and our purpose, which is to safeguard life, property and the environment.” says Ron Hoffmaster, Human Resources Manager for DNV North America and project coordinator for the new facility. “We want to create a work environment that attracts the highest caliber of employees while supporting our commitment to sustainable business practices.”
More than 270 employees occupy the new DNV office in Katy, a suburb of Houston. They will enjoy an open office concept and a truly health-conscious atmosphere. Amenities like privacy and wellness rooms, an indoor water wall, natural outdoor seating and walking paths go beyond required green building standards.
“Fulfilling our purpose and vision requires that we maintain our highly talented and committed workforce,” adds Mr. Hoffmaster. “They deserve a comfortable and healthy workspace. At the same time, this is a facility about which our employees can be very proud.”

They Thought of Everything
Sustainability begins with an in-house recycling center that sorts most of the every-day office products used by employees such as plastic, aluminum, cardboard, paper and more. Filtered water systems reduce the use of plastic bottles. Centralized printing and copying areas minimize internal heat while reducing ink and paper waste by using an employee code-protected ‘print on demand’ feature. Ergonomic chairs are made from recycled materials.

The construction process was a model of eco-efficiency
From groundbreaking right through move in, more than 90% of disposed building materials were diverted from the landfill to be reused or recycled. Use of low-emitting materials such as paints, varnishes, carpets, sealants and other materials significantly reduces off-gassing typically associated with new construction.
Inside the new building, efficient plumbing fixtures reduce water use by more than one third. The air-conditioning system uses non-ozone depleting refrigerants. The building itself is serviced by a green energy provider ensuring that a percentage of non-carbon based renewables – such as wind – supply power.
Many of the materials – including door and window frames, terrazzo countertops and resilient flooring – were manufactured regionally in Texas, supporting the local economy and reducing costs and carbon emissions associated with transportation. Many other components were manufactured using recycled materials. These include carpet, countertops and even the eye-catching decorative glass in the seven coffee bars produced from recycled crushed glass.
“As a business, DNV helps organizations around the world achieve excellence and meet the highest quality standards of their industries,” says Mr. Hoffmaster. “But quality starts at home, so to speak. We wanted to make a statement with this new facility - that we care about being the best, and we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards as well.”

[gpainter]

Is this your office?

[Sidney Vianna]

I spend most of my time at airports my office in Long Beach, CA (we have 26 offices in North America). But in my new position, I go regularly to Houston, TX.