Monday LEEDoff: VillageGreen, Herman Miller’s International HQ in Chippenham, England

Designed by Gensler, furniture company Herman Miller’s new international headquarters was completed in February of 2006, but recently received its official LEED-NC Gold designation from USGBC. VillageGreen, as the 20,000-square-foot building is called, is located in Chippenham, England, and also earned a BREEAM Excellent rating (BREEAM is the UK’s green building assessment tool). Green features include FSC-certified timber and a computerized system that monitors air flow in order to provide natural ventilation and eliminate the need for conventional air conditioning. Other design elements are LEED-standard, ranging from locally-sourced building materials, 95 percent of offices that are exposed to natural light, and bicycle racks and showers. Gensler’s design emphasizes the building materials themselves, which include exposed concrete, structural wood, and corrugated decking. “The integrity of the building materials . . . shows beautifully and requires no additional finish,” said Ed Nagelkirck, Herman Miller’s facilities manager, who attributed the simplicity of the structure as a major factor in its Gold rating. Herman Miller has earned twelve LEED certifications to date, including LEED-CI Gold for its National Design Center here in New York, which the company received back in 2006.

• Herman Miller HQ Scores LEED Gold (PR)
• Herman Miller HQ Lands LEED Gold (ID)